Perfect fifth
A perfect fifth is 7 half steps, written P5. From C it reaches G. Hear it one note after the other, then together.
What it sounds like
Seven half steps. The most stable interval after the octave: the two notes blend so well they almost sound like one.
Power chords are just a root and a fifth. The circle of fifths steps around all twelve keys by this interval.
How to recognise a perfect fifth by ear
Sing do to sol, the first and fifth notes of the major scale. It's the sound of an open string tuning up, bare and stable. Together the two notes lock so tightly they can pass for one rich note.
Inside the C major scale, the perfect fifths are C–G, D–A, E–B, F–C, G–D and A–E. That's why it feels so ordinary: most neighbouring letters in a major key are this far apart.
Add an octave and a perfect fifth becomes a perfect twelfth (19 half steps), the same pitch class as the fifth and the third natural harmonic of a string. Intervals bigger than an octave are called compound intervals; they keep the character of the smaller interval but sound more open.
Chords with a perfect fifth above the root, shown on C: C, Cm, C7, Cmaj7, Cm7, Csus2, Csus4, Cadd9, C6, Cm6, C9.
A perfect fifth from every note
The letter name moves up 4 letters (a "fifth") and the distance is always 7 half steps.
| From | Up a perfect fifth | |
|---|---|---|
| C | G | |
| D♭ | A♭ | |
| D | A | |
| E♭ | B♭ | |
| E | B | |
| F | C | |
| F♯ | C♯ | |
| G | D | |
| A♭ | E♭ | |
| A | E | |
| B♭ | F | |
| B | F♯ |
Finding it on guitar
On one string, a perfect fifth is 7 frets up. Across to the next higher string it's 2 frets up (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
- major third
- perfect fourth
- tritone
- minor sixth
- major sixth
- minor seventh
- major seventh
- octave
Perfect fifth: questions
How many half steps is a perfect fifth?
7. On the piano, count 7 keys up (black and white) from the starting note; on guitar, 7 frets up the same string.
What is a perfect fifth above C?
G. Above G it is D, above D it is A.
Is a perfect fifth consonant or dissonant?
Perfect consonance. Seven half steps.
What is the inversion of a perfect fifth?
A perfect fourth. Turn the interval upside down (put the lower note on top) and the two sizes always add up to 12 half steps: 7 + 5.
Spellings computed from letter names and half steps, and checked against both. Updated September 2026.