Guitar chord names are a simple way of describing what notes make up a chord and how that chord should sound. Once you understand chord names, you can quickly read song charts, understand unfamiliar chords, and communicate with other musicians.
A guitar chord name is not just a random combination of letters and numbers. It follows a system that tells you:
- The root note
- The type of chord
- Any added or changed notes
Learning how to read chord names makes learning guitar much easier because you understand the logic behind the symbols instead of memorizing hundreds of shapes.
What Are Guitar Chord Names?
A guitar chord name is a symbol that identifies a specific chord.
Examples:
- C = C major chord
- Am = A minor chord
- G7 = G dominant seventh chord
- Cmaj7 = C major seventh chord
- Dsus4 = D suspended fourth chord
The first letter tells you the root note, while additional symbols describe the chord quality and extra notes.
A chord name works like a formula that tells you what sound to create.
How Guitar Chord Names Are Built
Most chord names contain different parts.
| Part | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Root note | The starting note of the chord | C |
| Chord quality | Major, minor, diminished, etc. | m, dim |
| Extension | Additional notes | 7, 9, 11 |
| Alteration | Changed notes | ♯5, ♭5 |
For example:
Cmaj7
Breakdown:
- C = root note
- maj = major quality
- 7 = added seventh note
So Cmaj7 means a C major chord with an added major seventh.
You can learn more about the foundation of chord construction in this guide to guitar chord theory.
Understanding Root Notes in Guitar Chord Names
The first letter in a chord name represents the root note.
The basic guitar note names are:
A – B – C – D – E – F – G
These notes can also have sharps (#) or flats (♭).
Examples:
- C = C note as the root
- F# = F sharp root
- Bb = B flat root
The root note determines the name of the chord.
For example:
- C major starts with C
- D major starts with D
- A minor starts with A
Common Guitar Chord Symbols Explained
Major Chords
A major chord usually has only the letter name.
Examples:
- C
- G
- D
- A
- E
When no extra symbol appears, the chord is usually understood as major.
Example:
C
means:
C major chord
Formula:
1 – 3 – 5
You can learn common examples in this guide to major chords on guitar.
Minor Chords
Minor chords use the letter m or sometimes min.
Examples:
- Cm
- Am
- Em
The “m” means the chord has a minor quality.
Example:
Am
means:
A minor chord
Formula:
1 – ♭3 – 5
You can explore more examples in the guide to minor chords on guitar.
Seventh Chords
The number 7 means that a seventh note has been added.
Examples:
- C7
- G7
- A7
A dominant seventh chord contains:
1 – 3 – 5 – ♭7
Example:
C7:
C – E – G – Bb
Seventh chords are commonly used in blues, rock, jazz, and pop music.
You can learn more in the guide to 7th chords on guitar.
Major Seventh Chords
Major seventh chords use:
maj7
Example:
Cmaj7
Notes:
C – E – G – B
They create a smooth and emotional sound.
Minor Seventh Chords
Minor seventh chords use:
m7
Example:
Am7
Notes:
A – C – E – G
They have a softer and more relaxed character.
Suspended Chords
Suspended chords replace the third note with another note.
Common symbols:
- sus2
- sus4
Examples:
- Csus2
- Dsus4
Instead of:
C major:
C – E – G
Csus4:
C – F – G
The sound becomes more open and unresolved.
Diminished Chords
Diminished chords use:
- dim
- °
Examples:
- Cdim
- C°
They contain:
1 – ♭3 – ♭5
They create a tense and unstable sound.
Augmented Chords
Augmented chords use:
- aug
Examples:
- Caug
- C+
They contain a raised fifth:
1 – 3 – ♯5
They create a bright but tense sound.
Chord Name vs Chord Shape
Many beginners confuse chord names with chord shapes.
They are related but different.
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Chord name | What chord you are playing |
| Chord shape | Where your fingers go on the guitar |
For example:
The chord name:
C major
describes the musical notes.
The chord shape describes the finger position used to play C major on the guitar.
You can learn more about patterns and positions through guitar chord shapes.
How to Read Any Guitar Chord Name
Follow these simple steps.
Step 1: Find the Root Note
Look at the first letter.
Example:
Am7
Root note:
A
Step 2: Identify the Chord Quality
Look for symbols:
- Nothing = major
- m = minor
- dim = diminished
- aug = augmented
- sus = suspended
Step 3: Check Numbers
Numbers show additional notes.
Examples:
- 7 = seventh note added
- 9 = ninth note added
Step 4: Check Alterations
Symbols like:
- ♯5
- ♭5
- ♭9
show that a note has been changed.
Example:
C7♯5 means:
C dominant seventh chord with a raised fifth.
Common Mistakes When Reading Chord Names
Thinking Every Letter Means a Major Chord
A letter alone usually means major.
But:
- Cm = minor
- C7 = seventh
- Cdim = diminished
The extra symbols change the chord.
Confusing “7” and “maj7”
These are different:
C7:
C – E – G – Bb
Cmaj7:
C – E – G – B
Confusing Chord Names With Finger Positions
A chord can have multiple shapes.
Different finger positions can still create the same chord.
Why Learning Chord Names Is Important
Understanding chord names helps you:
- Read guitar tabs and song sheets
- Learn songs faster
- Communicate with musicians
- Understand music theory
- Create your own chord progressions
Instead of memorizing isolated shapes, you begin to understand how chords are organized.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “m” mean in guitar chords?
The letter “m” means minor. For example, Am means A minor.
What does the number 7 mean in guitar chords?
The number 7 means a seventh note has been added to the chord.
What does sus mean in guitar chords?
Sus means suspended. It indicates that the third note has been replaced by the second or fourth note.
What is the difference between C and Cm?
C means C major, while Cm means C minor. The difference is the third note.
How many guitar chord names are there?
There are many possible chord names because chords can include different qualities, extensions, and alterations.
Daniel Murphy is a guitar theory and chord analysis writer at GuitarChordIdentifier. He focuses on chord recognition, guitar harmony, music theory, and interactive learning tools for guitarists, musicians, songwriters, and beginners.