ChordTools
DE

Piano Reverse Chord Finder

Don't know the name of a chord? Click the keys below to instantly identify any piano chord.

Select notes on the keyboard
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
A
B

What is a Reverse Chord Finder?

A reverse chord finder (also called a "chord identifier" or "chord name finder") works backwards from a traditional chord chart. Instead of looking up "C Major" to find the notes, you input the notes you're playing and the tool tells you the chord name.

Input Notes

Click the piano keys you're playing

Analyze Intervals

Algorithm calculates distances between notes

Cmaj7

Get Chord Name

Instantly see the chord's name

Chord Types We Detect

MajorMinorDiminishedAugmentedDom 7Maj 7Min 7Dim 7Half-Dim 7Sus2Sus4Add96thMin 6

How the Algorithm Works

Our chord identification works through a multi-step process:

  1. Note Collection: We gather all the notes you've selected.
  2. Interval Calculation: We measure the semitone distance between every pair of notes.
  3. Root Detection: We try each note as a potential root and check if the intervals match known chord formulas.
  4. Inversion Check: If the bass note isn't the root, we identify it as a slash chord (e.g., C/E).
  5. Best Match: We return the most common chord name that matches your notes.

Pro Tip: Enharmonic Spellings

C# and Db are the same pitch but different names. Depending on the key, a chord might be spelled differently. Our tool shows the most common spelling.

Common Examples

  • C + E + G → C Major
  • C + Eb + G → C Minor
  • C + E + G + Bb → C7 (Dominant 7)
  • C + E + G + B → Cmaj7 (Major 7)
  • E + G + C → C/E (1st Inversion)

Related Tools

Piano Chord ChartGuitar Chord Finder

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the piano reverse chord finder work?

Click the keys on the virtual piano to select the notes you're playing. Our algorithm instantly analyzes the intervals between notes and determines the chord name, quality (major, minor, etc.), and any extensions.

Can it identify complex jazz chords?

Yes! The tool recognizes 7ths, 9ths, 11ths, 13ths, diminished, augmented, suspended, and add chords. It also detects slash chords (inversions) when the bass note differs from the root.

Why does it show multiple chord names?

Some note combinations can be interpreted as different chords depending on context. For example, C-E-G-B♭ could be C7, but in a different key it might function differently. We show the most likely options.

What if no chord is found?

Not every combination of notes forms a named chord. You might have found a cluster or an unusual voicing. Try adding or removing notes to see how it affects the result.

Does this work for any instrument?

Absolutely! While the interface shows a piano, chord theory is universal. The chord names apply equally to guitar, ukulele, organ, or any polyphonic instrument.

How is this different from a chord chart?

A chord chart goes from NAME → NOTES (you look up 'Cmaj7' to see what to play). This tool is the reverse: NOTES → NAME (you input what you're playing and discover its name).