The major 7th chord formula is 1–3–5–7: the root, major third, perfect fifth, and major seventh of a major scale. For example, Cmaj7 contains C, E, G, and B. Measured from the root, those notes sit 0, 4, 7, and 11 semitones above C.
A maj7 chord begins with a major triad and adds a major seventh. If you are still learning triads, the major chord formula explains why scale degrees 1, 3, and 5 establish the chord’s major quality. Adding degree 7 supplies the smooth, colorful tension associated with a major seventh chord.
Common symbols include Cmaj7, CM7, Cma7, and CΔ7. The clearest symbol in general-purpose chord charts is Cmaj7. A plain C7 does not mean C major seventh; it names a dominant seventh chord with B♭ instead of B.
How Do You Build a Major Seventh Chord?
Build a major seventh chord by taking scale degrees 1, 3, 5, and 7 from the major scale of the same root. You can also build a major triad first, then add the note one semitone below the root’s octave.
Use the major scale
Start with the notes of a major scale and select every other note from the root through the seventh. The C major scale is C–D–E–F–G–A–B, so selecting C, E, G, and B produces Cmaj7.
The same process works in E major:
- Write the E major scale: E–F♯–G♯–A–B–C♯–D♯.
- Select degrees 1, 3, 5, and 7.
- The result is E–G♯–B–D♯, or Emaj7.
This method preserves correct letter spelling. Each chord tone uses a different letter, so F♯maj7 is F♯–A♯–C♯–E♯ rather than ending on F.
Use the semitone pattern
From any root, count 4 semitones to the major third, 7 to the perfect fifth, and 11 to the major seventh. The major third interval and perfect fifth interval provide the stable major-triad framework; the note 11 semitones above the root completes the maj7 sound.
The octave shortcut is useful on an instrument: locate the root one octave higher, then move down one semitone. Check the scale afterward when accurate spelling matters.
What Notes Are in Major 7th Chords in Every Key?
Every major seventh chord follows 1–3–5–7, but the required sharps and flats change with the root. This table uses practical spellings that preserve one letter name per chord tone.
| Chord | Formula | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cmaj7 | 1–3–5–7 | C–E–G–B |
| D♭maj7 | 1–3–5–7 | D♭–F–A♭–C |
| Dmaj7 | 1–3–5–7 | D–F♯–A–C♯ |
| E♭maj7 | 1–3–5–7 | E♭–G–B♭–D |
| Emaj7 | 1–3–5–7 | E–G♯–B–D♯ |
| Fmaj7 | 1–3–5–7 | F–A–C–E |
| F♯maj7 | 1–3–5–7 | F♯–A♯–C♯–E♯ |
| Gmaj7 | 1–3–5–7 | G–B–D–F♯ |
| A♭maj7 | 1–3–5–7 | A♭–C–E♭–G |
| Amaj7 | 1–3–5–7 | A–C♯–E–G♯ |
| B♭maj7 | 1–3–5–7 | B♭–D–F–A |
| Bmaj7 | 1–3–5–7 | B–D♯–F♯–A♯ |
Enharmonic roots can produce the same sounding pitches with different names. D♭maj7 and C♯maj7 sound alike in equal temperament, but C♯maj7 is spelled C♯–E♯–G♯–B♯. Choose the name that fits the key.
How Do Maj7, 7, Min7, and MinMaj7 Chords Differ?
Maj7, dominant 7, min7, and minMaj7 chords differ in the quality of their third, seventh, or both. The symbol “maj7” specifies a major triad with a major seventh, while a plain “7” specifies a major triad with a minor seventh.
| Chord type | Formula | C-root example | Notes |
| Major seventh | 1–3–5–7 | Cmaj7 | C–E–G–B |
| Dominant seventh | 1–3–5–♭7 | C7 | C–E–G–B♭ |
| Minor seventh | 1–♭3–5–♭7 | Cm7 | C–E♭–G–B♭ |
| Minor-major seventh | 1–♭3–5–7 | Cm(maj7) | C–E♭–G–B |
Cmaj7 versus C7
Cmaj7 and C7 share C, E, and G; only the seventh changes. Cmaj7 has B, one semitone below C, while C7 has B♭, two semitones below C. That single note changes both the sound and harmonic behavior.
C7 commonly resolves to F or F minor, while Cmaj7 often serves as a tonic or subdominant color. The dominant seventh formula shows why the unqualified “7” symbol implies a lowered seventh.
Major seventh versus minor seventh
Changing Cmaj7 to Cm7 requires lowering two notes: E becomes E♭, and B becomes B♭. The first change makes the triad minor; the second makes the seventh minor. Compare this construction with the minor seventh chord formula to see how each part of a chord symbol controls a different interval.
Cm(maj7) combines a minor triad with a major seventh, creating a more unsettled sound than Cmaj7 or Cm7.
Where Do Major 7th Chords Occur in a Major Key?
Major seventh chords occur naturally on the I and IV degrees of a major key. In C major, the diatonic seventh chords built on those degrees are Cmaj7 and Fmaj7; in G major, they are Gmaj7 and Cmaj7.
The Imaj7 chord extends the tonic harmony. In C major, Cmaj7 adds B, the leading tone, to the C major triad. That B creates gentle tension because it sits a semitone below C, yet the chord can still function as a stable home sonority in jazz, soul, pop, and film music.
The IVmaj7 chord has a subdominant role. A progression such as Cmaj7–Fmaj7 moves from tonic to subdominant while keeping E as a common tone: E is the third of Cmaj7 and the seventh of Fmaj7. Studying the full set of chords found in a major key makes it easier to see why the other diatonic seventh chords have minor, dominant, or half-diminished qualities.
Major seventh chords can also appear through chromatic movement or key changes. The progression determines their function.
How Do Major 7th Chords Work on Guitar and Piano?
A major seventh chord has four theoretical tones, but the notes can appear in any octave or order. Guitarists often double a note because of the instrument’s six strings, while pianists can spread the chord across both hands.
Root position and inversions
Cmaj7 is in root position when C is the lowest note. Moving another chord tone to the bass creates one of three inversions:
| Position | Bass note | Notes from bass upward | Slash symbol |
| Root position | C | C–E–G–B | Cmaj7 |
| First inversion | E | E–G–B–C | Cmaj7/E |
| Second inversion | G | G–B–C–E | Cmaj7/G |
| Third inversion | B | B–C–E–G | Cmaj7/B |
Inversions keep the same pitch collection but change bass movement, spacing, and tension. Separating the B and C in third inversion across octaves can create a clearer texture. For more, see the guide to guitar chord inversions.
Doubling and omitting notes
On guitar, a Cmaj7 voicing might double C or E. On piano, the left hand might play C while the right plays E–G–B. Doubling does not change the chord name.
If a note must be omitted, the perfect fifth is usually the safest choice because the root, third, and seventh communicate the chord’s identity most directly. C–E–B still expresses Cmaj7 clearly in many contexts. Omitting E removes the major third and makes the quality less certain; omitting B removes the interval that distinguishes Cmaj7 from C major.
Smooth voice leading often matters more than keeping every chord in root position. In Cmaj7–Am7–Dm7–G7, individual notes can move by step or remain common between chords. Understanding how chords are constructed from intervals helps you adapt maj7 voicings without losing the formula that defines them.
FAQ
What is the difference between Cmaj7 and C7?
Cmaj7 contains C–E–G–B and follows 1–3–5–7. C7 contains C–E–G–B♭ and follows 1–3–5–♭7, so the two chords differ by one semitone in the seventh.
Is a major 7th chord the same as a seventh chord?
Not necessarily. “Seventh chord” is a broad category, while an unqualified symbol such as C7 specifically means a dominant seventh chord. A major seventh must be marked Cmaj7, CM7, or CΔ7.
How many semitones are in a major seventh chord?
The chord tones are 0, 4, 7, and 11 semitones from the root. The major seventh interval itself spans 11 semitones, one semitone less than an octave.
Which scale degrees form major seventh chords in a major key?
The I and IV scale degrees produce major seventh chords when diatonic thirds are stacked within a major key. In C major, those chords are Cmaj7 and Fmaj7.
Can the fifth be omitted from a maj7 chord?
Yes. The perfect fifth is often omitted when space or playability is limited because the root, major third, and major seventh communicate the chord’s identity more strongly. The musical context should still make the root clear.
What do the symbols M7 and Δ7 mean?
M7 and Δ7 are alternate symbols for a major seventh chord. CM7 and CΔ7 therefore indicate the same chord quality as Cmaj7, although Cmaj7 is often the least ambiguous notation for beginners.
Liam Turner is a guitar theory writer and chord analysis specialist at Chord Calculator. He focuses on chord construction, music theory, scale relationships, harmony tools, and guitar learning resources for musicians, producers, songwriters, and beginners. Liam creates practical, easy-to-follow content around chord progressions, interval formulas, key analysis, and interactive music tools to help users better understand harmony, songwriting, and instrument practice.