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New Released in April 2026

Piano Chords With Finger Numbers for Both Hands

Piano chords with finger numbers use a simple code: 1 is the thumb, 2 the index, 3 the middle, 4 the ring finger and 5 the little finger, in both hands. With that code one short chart covers almost every chord shape you will play.

No account, no download. The demo has limited content. Advanced features are in ChordRunner Premium.

  • MIDI keyboard
  • Digital or acoustic piano
  • Guitar
  • Computer, phone or tablet
ChordRunner running on a phone next to an acoustic guitar, above a piano being played

Triads in the right hand

  • Root position: 1 3 5 (C E G = thumb, middle, little finger).
  • First inversion: 1 2 5 (E G C).
  • Second inversion: 1 3 5 (G C E).

Triads in the left hand

  • Root position: 5 3 1 (C E G = little finger, middle, thumb).
  • First inversion: 5 3 1 (E G C).
  • Second inversion: 5 2 1 (G C E).
Piano Chords With Finger Numbers for Both Hands – ChordRunner

Piano Chords With Finger Numbers for Both Hands

ChordRunner is a browser game that teaches piano and guitar chords: a chord appears on screen, you play it on a real instrument, and your runner jumps.

Play the demo

Seventh chords and when to change

For four-note chords like Cmaj7 the usual fingering is 1 2 3 5 in the right hand and 5 3 2 1 in the left. When the gap between two notes is wide, use 4 instead of 3, whatever feels more even. The rule is simple: fingers that touch neighbouring keys should be neighbouring fingers.

Let the hand learn it

Say the finger numbers the first few times, then stop thinking about them and let repetition do the rest. ChordRunner shows the chord tones on screen in its practice mode, with no lives to lose, so you can settle the fingering before moving on to timed rounds on a MIDI keyboard or a piano near the microphone.

The levels in ChordRunner

  • Beginner: major, minor, augmented and diminished chords.
  • Intermediate: adds sus2 and sus4.
  • Advanced: adds 6th, 7th and 9th chords.
  • Pro: adds 11th, 13th and altered chords; an adaptive mode adds the next family when you are ready.

Common questions

What are the finger numbers on piano?

Thumb is 1, index 2, middle 3, ring 4, little finger 5, the same in both hands.

What fingers do you use for a C major chord?

Right hand 1 3 5 (thumb on C, middle on E, little finger on G). Left hand 5 3 1 (little finger on C, middle on E, thumb on G).

Which fingers for chord inversions?

Right hand: first inversion 1 2 5, second inversion 1 3 5. Left hand: first inversion 5 3 1, second inversion 5 2 1.

Which instruments work?

A USB MIDI keyboard, detected automatically, or a piano or guitar through the microphone. Everything runs in Chrome or Edge on a computer, tablet or phone.

How is this different from apps where you tap the screen?

Tapping trains your eyes and fingers on glass. Here you press real keys or fret real strings, and the game hears the actual notes, so what you practise is exactly what you will play on your instrument.

Is everything in the demo?

The demo has limited content. Advanced features are in ChordRunner Premium.

Your instrument is the controller.

ChordRunner is a browser game that teaches piano and guitar chords: a chord appears on screen, you play it on a real instrument, and your runner jumps. MIDI keyboard or microphone, both work.

Try the demo