Fmaj7 Guitar Chord
F Major 7th · F–A–C–E
Fmaj7 is the F major 7th chord: F–A–C–E. Its sound is smooth and dreamy — the lush, jazzy color heard in ballads, neo-soul, and bossa nova.
Fmaj7 takes the plain F major triad and adds the major 7th (E), one half-step below the root. That single note transforms it from a campfire chord into the lush sound of jazz standards, neo-soul, and city pop. It works as the I chord in F major and the IV chord in C major.
The easiest way to play Fmaj7 is the open-position shape (x x 3 2 1 0, low E string to high E string), which uses open strings and stays in the first few frets. Below you'll find 9 ways to play it across the neck, from open position to barre and shell voicings, with the theory behind the chord and the progressions it lives in.
How to Play Fmaj7: 9 Voicings
Frets are listed from the low E string to the high E string. x = don't play that string, 0 = open string.
Fmaj7 Chord Theory
| Interval | R | 3 | 5 | 7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Note | F | A | C | E |
Fmaj7 is built from the F major scale.
Fmaj7 Chord FAQ
What notes are in the Fmaj7 chord?
Fmaj7 contains 4 notes: F (R), A (3), C (5), E (7). The interval formula for a major 7th chord is R–3–5–7.
What is the easiest way to play Fmaj7 on guitar?
Use the open-position shape: x x 3 2 1 0 (frets listed from the low E string to the high E string, x = don't play that string). It uses open strings, so it needs the least finger strength.
Is Fmaj7 a major or minor chord?
Fmaj7 is built on a major triad (F–A–C) with the 7 added, so it behaves as a major-family chord.
What keys use the Fmaj7 chord?
Fmaj7 appears diatonically in F major (as I), C major (as IV), and Bb major (as V) — plus D minor, its relative minor key.
Related Chords
Hear yourself play Fmaj7
OpenFret listens to your real guitar through the microphone. Check your chords ring clean in the free Studio, or learn the fretboard by battling monsters in Guitar Quest — free in your browser, no signup needed.