What Is the Chord Chart Tool?
The Chord Chart is an interactive reference tool that displays guitar and piano chord diagrams for any chord in any key. Whether you're a beginner learning your first chords or an experienced musician looking for alternative voicings, this tool provides clear visual diagrams with finger positions, note names, and audio playback.
Guitar & Piano Side by Side
Each chord is displayed simultaneously on both a guitar fretboard and a piano keyboard, making it easy to understand how the same chord translates between instruments. The guitar diagram shows finger positions, open and muted strings, and barre chord indicators, while the piano diagram highlights the keys to press with the root note emphasized.
Guitar Fretboard
Visual finger positions with numbered dots, open/muted string indicators, and barre chord bars.
- Finger position numbers
- Open and muted strings
- Barre chord indicators
- Multiple voicings available
Piano Keyboard
Two-octave keyboard layout with highlighted keys and emphasized root notes.
- Active note highlighting
- Root note emphasis
- Multiple inversions
- Clear visual layout
Comprehensive Chord Library
The tool covers 16 chord types across all 12 root notes, giving you access to nearly 200 chord variations:
Basic Chords
- Major
- Minor
Seventh Chords
- 7
- m7
- Maj7
- dim7
- m7b5
Extended Chords
- 6
- m6
- 9
- add9
Suspended Chords
- sus2
- sus4
- 7sus4
Altered Chords
- dim
- aug
How to Use the Chord Chart
Select a Chord
Choose a root note (C, C#, D, D#, E, F, F#, G, G#, A, A#, B) from the top row, then select a chord type (Major, Minor, 7, etc.) from the second row. Both the guitar and piano diagrams update instantly.
Read the Guitar Diagram
The guitar fretboard diagram shows:
- Numbered dots — Where to place your fingers (1 = index, 2 = middle, 3 = ring, 4 = pinky)
- O above a string — Play the string open
- X above a string — Do not play (muted)
- Colored bar — Barre chord (press across multiple strings with one finger)
- Fret number — Starting fret position for non-open chords
Read the Piano Diagram
The piano keyboard highlights the keys to press. The root note appears with a stronger highlight. Use the Root / 1st / 2nd buttons to see different inversions of the chord.
Listen to the Chord
Click Play Chord to hear how the chord sounds. The audio is synthesized directly in your browser with a natural strum delay and harmonic overtones.
Quick Search
Type a chord name (e.g., "Am7", "Cmaj7", "Bb") in the search bar to jump directly to any chord without clicking through the selectors. The search supports both sharp (C#, F#) and flat (Db, Gb) notation, showing matching results as you type.
Features
Guitar Chord Diagrams
Clear SVG fretboard diagrams display finger positions with numbered dots, open/muted string indicators, and barre chord bars.
- Multiple voicings per chord
- Visual finger numbering
- Barre chord indicators
- Fret position markers
Piano Chord Diagrams
A two-octave piano keyboard highlights the active notes for each chord with the root note visually distinguished.
- Root position display
- 1st inversion option
- 2nd inversion option
- Clear note highlighting
Audio Playback
Hear any chord played back instantly using Web Audio synthesis with natural strum delay and harmonic overtones.
- Instant playback
- Natural strum effect
- Local synthesis (no downloads)
- High-quality sound
Chord Formula Display
Each chord shows its interval formula (R, 3, 5, b7, etc.) along with the actual note names.
- Interval notation
- Note name display
- Music theory insights
- Educational value
Quick Search
Type any chord name to find it instantly with support for both sharp and flat notation.
- Instant search results
- Sharp notation (C#, F#)
- Flat notation (Db, Gb)
- Auto-complete suggestions
Responsive Design
The layout adapts to any screen size for optimal viewing on desktop, tablet, and mobile devices.
- Desktop side-by-side layout
- Mobile vertical stacking
- Touch-friendly controls
- Adaptive interface
Frequently Asked Questions
What chord types are available?
The tool includes 16 chord types: Major, Minor, 7, m7, Maj7, dim, aug, sus2, sus4, 6, m6, 9, add9, 7sus4, dim7, and m7b5. Each type is available in all 12 keys, giving you access to nearly 200 chord variations.
What do the numbers inside the dots mean on the guitar diagram?
The numbers indicate which finger to use:
- 1 = Index finger
- 2 = Middle finger
- 3 = Ring finger
- 4 = Pinky
This helps you learn proper fingering technique and makes it easier to transition between chords smoothly.
What is a voicing?
A voicing is a specific way to play a chord on the guitar. The same chord can be played at different positions on the fretboard, each with its own tonal character and fingering pattern. Use the arrow buttons to browse available voicings for each chord and find the position that works best for your playing style or song context.
What are chord inversions on the piano?
An inversion rearranges which note is at the bottom of the chord:
- Root position — The root note is the lowest note
- 1st inversion — The root moves to the top, third becomes the lowest
- 2nd inversion — The fifth becomes the lowest note
The chord contains the same notes, just in a different order. Inversions create smoother voice leading and different bass movements in progressions.
Can I search using flat notation (Bb, Eb)?
Yes. The search bar accepts both sharp (C#, F#) and flat (Db, Gb) notation. Typing "Bb" will find A# chords, and "Eb" will find D# chords. The tool automatically recognizes enharmonic equivalents and displays matching results as you type.
Does this tool require an internet connection?
After the initial page load, the tool works entirely offline. All chord data and audio synthesis run locally in your browser with no server requests needed. This ensures fast performance and allows you to use the tool anywhere, even without internet access.
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