Guitar, piano and ukulele chords

C chord (C major)

The C chord (C major) has 3 notes: C, E and G. It is a major chord: root, major third and perfect fifth. It sounds bright and stable. It works as I in C major, V in F major and IV in G major.

How to play it on guitar

An x is a string you don't play and 0 is an open string. The number on the left is the fret where the shape starts.

×
Open
x32010
3fr ×
Barre chord · fret 3
x35553
8fr
Barre chord · fret 8
8(10)(10)988

Notes in the chord

NoteInterval
CRoot
EMajor third
GPerfect fifth

Inversions

  • Root position: C – E – G
  • First inversion: E – G – C
  • Second inversion: G – C – E

On piano

The highlighted keys (C, E and G) make the chord in root position.

On ukulele

Usual shape
0003
5fr
Higher up the neck · fret 5
5787

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the C chord?

C has 3 notes: C, E and G. It is a major chord: root, major third and perfect fifth.

How do you play C on guitar?

The usual shape is x32010, read from the low E string to the high E string.

What keys is C in?

C is in C major (I), F major (V), G major (IV), D minor (VII), E minor (VI) and A minor (III).