Chord type
Augmented Chords on Piano
The augmented chord is a symmetrical triad built entirely from major thirds, creating a tense, suspended, and dreamlike sound that wants to resolve. It appears in classical transitions, jazz passing chords, and Beatles-era pop.
Pick a key to hear and see it below. Each key opens a full reference entry with a keyboard diagram, audio, inversions, fingerings, and notation.
Featured key
C Augmented Chord
Notes: C - E - G♯
Choose a key
Open the full C Augmented Chord reference ›Formula: Root – Major 3rd – Augmented 5th
Intervals: 4 + 4 semitones (two stacked major thirds)
Scale degrees: 1–3–♯5
Sound: Tense, suspended, dreamlike, unresolved
Symbol: aug or + (Caug, C+ etc.)
Symmetry and enharmonics: Because augmented chords divide the octave into three equal parts, there are only four unique augmented chords. Caug, Eaug, and G♯aug all contain the same three notes (C, E, G♯). This symmetry makes augmented chords powerful pivot chords for key changes.
Augmented Chord in All 18 Keys
All 18 spellings, ♯ and ♭ keys listed separately.
Select any key to see notes, the interactive keyboard, inversions, and practice tips.
C Augmented ChordNotes: C – E – G♯C♯ Augmented ChordNotes: C♯ – E♯ – G♯♯D♭ Augmented ChordNotes: D♭ – F – AD Augmented ChordNotes: D – F♯ – A♯D♯ Augmented ChordNotes: D♯ – F♯♯ – A♯♯E♭ Augmented ChordNotes: E♭ – G – BE Augmented ChordNotes: E – G♯ – B♯F Augmented ChordNotes: F – A – C♯F♯ Augmented ChordNotes: F♯ – A♯ – C♯♯G♭ Augmented ChordNotes: G♭ – B♭ – DG Augmented ChordNotes: G – B – D♯G♯ Augmented ChordNotes: G♯ – B♯ – D♯♯A♭ Augmented ChordNotes: A♭ – C – EA Augmented ChordNotes: A – C♯ – E♯A♯ Augmented ChordNotes: A♯ – C♯♯ – E♯♯B♭ Augmented ChordNotes: B♭ – D – F♯B Augmented ChordNotes: B – D♯ – F♯♯C♭ Augmented ChordNotes: C♭ – E♭ – G