F major (F) chord on piano

The F major chord (F) is a major triad, made of three notes: F – A – C.

Root position: F4 – A4 – C5

What the F chord sounds like

A major triad sounds stable and bright: root, major third and perfect fifth. Most songs are built on major chords – in a major key, chords I, IV and V are all major.

Notes of the F chord

Degree	Note	Interval from the root
1	F	root
3	A	major third (4 semitones)
5	C	perfect fifth (7 semitones)

Root position and inversions

An inversion uses the same notes, with a different note at the bottom. When you change chords, choosing the nearest inversion keeps your hand almost still.

Root position

F4 – A4 – C5

1st inversion

A4 – C5 – F5

2nd inversion

C5 – F5 – A5

Which keys is it in?

The F chord is built from the notes of these keys (for minor keys, both the natural and the harmonic minor are considered):

F major: I (tonic)
B♭ major: V (dominant)
C major: IV (subdominant)
B♭ minor: V (dominant)
G minor: VII
D minor: III
A minor: VI

Similar chords and substitutes

If F is too hard, or you want a different colour in the same spot, these chords are worth a try.

Substitutes (by function)

Dm – relative minor: two shared notes, a common stand-in for the tonic
Am – mediant minor (iii): two shared notes
Fmaj7 – a softer, jazzier tonic colour
Fsus4 – suspended version that resolves back to this chord

Richer versions

F7 – the same chord plus 1 colour note
Fmaj7 – the same chord plus 1 colour note
F6 – the same chord plus 1 colour note
Fadd9 – the same chord plus 1 colour note

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the F chord?

F, A, C. The root is F; the intervals of the other notes from the root: major third, perfect fifth.

How do I play the F chord on piano?

In root position, the right hand usually plays with fingers 1, 3 and 5 (thumb, middle finger, little finger); four-note chords with fingers 1, 2, 3 and 5. The left hand mirrors this: 5, 3, 1. In an inversion the top or bottom note moves to the other side, so your hand moves less when you change chords.

How is the F chord written?

The chord symbol is F, and its full name is F major.