Major third
A major third is 4 half steps, written M3. From C it reaches E. Hear it one note after the other, then together.
What it sounds like
Four half steps, and the sound of "major": the first two notes of a major arpeggio. It is bright and settled.
Every major chord has a major third above the root. Two major thirds stacked make an augmented chord.
How to recognise a major third by ear
Sing do to mi, the first two notes of a major arpeggio. Played together it sounds like the bottom of a major chord, bright and settled. If a third sounds happy rather than wistful, it's major.
Inside the C major scale, the major thirds are C–E, F–A and G–B.
Add an octave and a major third becomes a major tenth (17 half steps), the wide, full sound of a left hand spanning root to third. Intervals bigger than an octave are called compound intervals; they keep the character of the smaller interval but sound more open.
Chords with a major third above the root, shown on C: C, C7, Cmaj7, Cadd9, C6, C9, Caug.
A major third from every note
The letter name moves up 2 letters (a "third") and the distance is always 4 half steps.
| From | Up a major third | |
|---|---|---|
| C | E | |
| D♭ | F | |
| D | F♯ | |
| E♭ | G | |
| E | G♯ | |
| F | A | |
| F♯ | A♯ | |
| G | B | |
| A♭ | C | |
| A | C♯ | |
| B♭ | D | |
| B | D♯ |
Finding it on guitar
On one string, a major third is 4 frets up. Across to the next higher string it's 1 fret back (the strings are a perfect fourth apart, except G to B, where you add one fret). The diagram starts from A on the low E string.
Other intervals
- minor second
- major second
- minor third
- perfect fourth
- tritone
- perfect fifth
- minor sixth
- major sixth
- minor seventh
- major seventh
- octave
← minor third · perfect fourth →
Major third: questions
How many half steps is a major third?
4. On the piano, count 4 keys up (black and white) from the starting note; on guitar, 4 frets up the same string.
What is a major third above C?
E. Above G it is B, above D it is F♯.
Is a major third consonant or dissonant?
Consonant. Four half steps, and the sound of "major": the first two notes of a major arpeggio.
What is the inversion of a major third?
A minor sixth. Turn the interval upside down (put the lower note on top) and the two sizes always add up to 12 half steps: 4 + 8.
Spellings computed from letter names and half steps, and checked against both. Updated September 2026.