C Major 7th
Cmaj7
Notes
C · E · G · B
Intervals
- RootC (1P)
- Major 3rdE (3M)
- Perfect 5thG (5P)
- Major 7thB (7M)
Fretboard
Adjust labels, frets, and palette in the interactive view.
Voicings & shapes
Drop-2 voicings (12)
Drop-3 voicings (8)
Shell voicings (2)
About
The C major 7th (C–E–G–B) adds a major seventh to the major triad. Unlike the dominant 7 there is no tritone — the B sits a half step below the root, creating a gentle, unresolved shimmer rather than a strong directional pull. This makes maj7 a tonic or subdominant color, used to add sophistication without urgency. The major 7th interval itself is the defining tone; the fifth can be omitted. On guitar, shell voicings (1–3–7) are efficient and common in jazz. The half step between B and the root is part of the appeal — a tension that does not demand resolution. Compared to C7, maj7 is relaxed and expansive; compared to C, more harmonically lit-from-within.
Chord diagrams
C Major 7th voicing charts — tap a sheet to open it full size to save or print.
Similar chords
Chords sharing two or more notes with this one, ranked by overlap.
Scales containing this chord
- C Lydian (I)
- C Major (I)
- A Dorian (III)
- A Natural Minor (III)
- B Locrian (II)
- B Phrygian (II)
- D Dorian (VII)
- D Mixolydian (VII)
- E Harmonic Minor (VI)
- E Natural Minor (VI)
- E Phrygian (VI)
- F Lydian (V)
- F♯ Locrian (V)
- G Major (IV)
- G Mixolydian (IV)
Scales whose notes include every chord tone. The Roman numeral (or scale degree) marks the chord root’s position in the scale.