Piano Chord Lookup
Identify piano chords from pressed keys — or go the other way: play the keys, on screen or on your MIDI keyboard, and we name the chord.
About the piano chord lookup
A visual dictionary of piano chords. Search a chord by name or pick any of the 12 root notes and 30 chord types — from a simple C major triad to a Cmaj13 — and the keys you need to press light up on a three-octave keyboard, each labelled with its note name. On a narrow screen two octaves are shown at a time, with arrows to reach the third. On a computer, hover any note under “Notes in chord” to see where it falls on the keyboard; on any device, click or tap it to hear that note on its own.
Press Play to hear the chord note by note — each key lights up as it sounds — and then all notes together. Switch between English note names (C, D, E) and solfège (Do, Re, Mi) with one click.
It also works in reverse. Switch to Notes → name and click the keys under your fingers — or connect a MIDI keyboard and simply play them: with three or more notes we name the chord. Order and octave are irrelevant — Do–Mi–Sol, Mi–Sol–Do and Sol–Do–Mi are the same three notes, so all three are simply C major. When a set of notes has more than one valid name (C–E–G–A reads as C6 or Am7) the most common reading comes first and the alternatives are listed beside it.
Piano chord FAQs
How do I find out what chord I’m playing on the piano?
Switch to “Notes → name” and click every key you’re pressing. As soon as three notes are selected the chord name appears. Click a key again to unselect it, or press Clear to start over.
Can I use my own MIDI keyboard?
Yes. In “Notes → name”, press Connect MIDI keyboard and allow access when your browser asks. Play a chord and the keys light up and get named instantly; lift your hands and the answer stays on screen until you play the next one. Web MIDI works in Chrome and Edge on desktop — in other browsers the on-screen keyboard does the same job.
Does the order of the notes change the chord?
No. Do–Mi–Sol, Mi–Sol–Do and Sol–Do–Mi are the same three notes, so they’re all C major. Order and octave are ignored — the name comes from the set of notes.
What if two chords have the same notes?
Some chords share exactly the same notes. C–E–G–A can be read as C6 or as Am7. The most common reading is shown first, and the other valid names appear under “Also known as” — click one to make it the main answer.
Can I just type the chord name?
Yes. The search box takes almost any spelling — Cmaj7, CM7, C-7, F#m7b5, Bb sus4, even solfège like sol7 or do menor. Press / to jump straight to it, use ↑↓ to pick a suggestion and ↵ to load it.
Why does it say my notes aren’t a standard chord?
The combination isn’t a named chord — often because of one extra note. Remove a note and see whether the rest forms a chord. With only two notes selected you get the interval instead (a perfect 5th, a major 3rd, and so on).
How do I read the keyboard diagram?
Every highlighted key is part of the chord, labelled with its note name. On a computer, hover a note under “Notes in chord” and its key lights up on the keyboard — or hover a key to see which note it is. On a phone or tablet, tap a note or a key to hear it.
Which hand should I play the chord with?
Either. The diagram shows the notes, not a hand. A common starting point: play the chord with your right hand and the root note an octave lower with your left.
Can I play the chord in a different octave?
Yes — the pattern of keys is identical in every octave. Play the same shape higher for a brighter sound or lower for a fuller one.
What about inversions?
The diagram shows the chord in root position (root at the bottom). To play an inversion, move the lowest highlighted note up an octave — the chord keeps its name and quality, so we still call it by the same name.
What’s the difference between “C D E” and “Do Re Mi”?
Two naming systems for the same notes: English notation (C, D, E…) and Latin solfège (Do, Re, Mi…), common in Spain and Latin America. Use the toggle above the keyboard to switch — your choice is remembered across instruments.