F major chord on piano (F)
F is F, A and C. You'll find F just left of the group of three black keys (a white key). Press Play to hear it, then try it at half speed.
root position · F–A–C · right hand 1-3-5
- Notes
- F · A · C
- Formula
- 1 · 3 · 5
How to play F on piano
From F, go 4 half steps up to A then 3 half steps up to C. Those 3 keys are F.
- Right hand: 1 on F, 3 on A and 5 on C.
- Left hand: 5 on F, 3 on A and 1 on C.
- On the keyboard it's white, white and white keys, the same pattern as C and G, so your hand shape carries over.
F inversions
- root position: F–A–C. Right hand 1-3-5.
- 1st inversion: A–C–F, with A at the bottom. RH 1-2-5.
- 2nd inversion: C–F–A, with C at the bottom. Fingers 1-3-5.
Use the inversions to stay put: the next chord is often one inversion away from where your hand already is, as the changes below show.
Moving between F and its neighbours
These are the changes you'll meet most often with F, using the first shape of each chord.
- B♭ (IV in F major): F to B♭: play B♭ in 2nd inversion (F–B♭–D) and F stays under the same finger, while A moves up to B♭ and C up to D. B♭ on piano
- C (V in F major): F to C: play C in 1st inversion (E–G–C) and C stays under the same finger, while F moves down to E and A down to G. C on piano
- Dm (vi in F major): F to Dm: play Dm in 1st inversion (F–A–D) and F and A stay under the same fingers, while C moves up to D. Dm on piano
A major chord sounds finished and open. Major chords are the backbone of most songs; F is home in F major and a common IV or V in the keys around it. On piano you hear it best with the keys pressed together, then rolled.
Practice F in two minutes
Start with a broken chord, F A C A F, then play it solid. Next, walk up through F–A–C → A–C–F → C–F–A without lifting your eyes to your hand.
The keys of F
F is a major chord, 1–3–5 from F. Root position, from the bottom: how F is built.
| Note | Key | Fingers | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| F | white key | RH 1 · LH 5 | root |
| A | white key | RH 3 · LH 3 | major third |
| C | white key | RH 5 · LH 1 | perfect fifth |
Keys and progressions with F
In F major, I–V–vi–IV on piano is F (F–A–C), C (C–E–G), Dm (D–F–A) and B♭ (B♭–D–F). About the pop progression.
In F major, I–IV–V on piano is F (F–A–C), B♭ (B♭–D–F) and C (C–E–G). About the three-chord progression.
In F major, I–vi–IV–V on piano is F (F–A–C), Dm (D–F–A), B♭ (B♭–D–F) and C (C–E–G). About the 50s progression.
F on guitar and ukulele
The same notes on another instrument: F on guitar and F on ukulele. This page puts all three side by side.
Related F chords on piano
Other major chords
F on piano: questions
What notes are in F on piano?
F, A and C: F (white key), A (white key) and C (white key). Right hand 1-3-5, left hand 5-3-1.
How do you play F on piano?
Press F, A and C together, all white keys. Right hand: 1 on F, 3 on A and 5 on C.
What are the inversions of F?
1st inversion (A–C–F) and 2nd inversion (C–F–A), after root position (F–A–C). Each keeps all the notes of the chord.
What does F look like on the keyboard?
white, white and white keys, the same pattern as C and G, so one hand shape covers all of them.
Every shape above plays only F, A and C, checked by the site's tests. Updated September 2026.