Cdim Chord
How to play C diminished on guitar — unstable and tense — used to pull between two stronger chords.
- Notes
- C – D♯ – F♯
- Frets (low → high)
- x 3 4 5 4 x
- Difficulty
- Barre chord
- Shape
- Movable shape at fret 3
How to play Cdim, step by step
- 1Put your index finger on the 3rd fret of the A string (5th).
- 2Put your middle finger on the 4th fret of the D string (4th).
- 3Put your little finger on the 5th fret of the G string (3rd).
- 4Put your ring finger on the 4th fret of the B string (2nd).
- 5Leave the low E and high E strings out — mute them with the side of a finger, or just avoid them as you strum.
- 6Strum slowly and check every string sounds cleanly; if one buzzes, press closer to the fret wire and arch your fingers so they clear the neighbouring strings.
What makes a diminished chord
Unstable and tense — used to pull between two stronger chords.
| Note | Interval | Semitones above C |
|---|---|---|
| C | root | 0 |
| D♯ | minor 3rd | 3 |
| F♯ | flat 5th | 6 |
Other C chords
Same root, different colour. Swapping one of these into a progression is the quickest way to change its mood without changing the key.
Every diminished chord
The same shape moved around the neck. If you can play Cdim you are a fret-slide away from all of these.
Frequently asked questions
- What notes are in the Cdim chord?
- Cdim is made of C, D♯, F♯ — the root, minor 3rd, flat 5th of C.
- Is Cdim hard to play?
- Cdim is an awkward shape — x 3 4 5 4 x asks your fingers to stretch across 4 strings at different frets. Building up to it slowly, or dropping to the root and 5th until your hand is stronger, both work as stepping stones.
Got a chart full of chords like Cdim?
Upload a chord sheet and move every chord into a key that fits your hands and your voice — the layout stays exactly as printed. Or let the capo calculator pick the position that turns the barre chords into open ones.