Cm Guitar Chord

Looking for C#m (C♯m)? →

Cm is a minor chord made of C · E♭ · G. A minor triad — darker and calmer than major. The standard shape is an open chord: x35543 (6th string → 1st string, x = don't play, 0 = open string).

Chord charts

Open chord · x35543

Open position · root on 5th string · x31013

Fret 5 barre · root on 6th string · 8655xx · from fret 5

Fret 8 barre · root on 6th string · 8-10-10-8-8-8 · from fret 8

Index finger on string 5 (A), fret 3.
Middle finger on string 1 (e), fret 3.
Ring finger on string 2 (B), fret 4.
Pinky finger on string 4 (D), fret 5.
Pinky finger on string 3 (G), fret 5.
Don't play string 6 (or mute lightly).
Strum down from string 5.

Cm guitar chord chart — open chord x35543 and 3 more shapes — All Cm shapes on one image — long-press (or right-click) to save it.

Notes in the chord

C
rootE♭
3rdG
5th

Play it easier with a capo

Capo on fret 3 + Am shape → sounds as Cm

If barre chords are hard, clamp a capo and play an open shape — it sounds exactly the same. The Buskermate app can move a whole chord sheet to any capo position for you.

Try it: capo on

Keys that use this chord

the vi chord in Eb major · the iii chord in Ab major · the ii chord in Bb major

Scales that fit

Other C chords

C Cm C7 Cmaj7 Cm7 C6 Cm6 Csus4 Csus2 C7sus4 Cdim Cdim7 Cm7b5 Caug Cadd9 C9 Cm9 Cmaj9

Minor chords in other keys

Cm C♯m Dm E♭m Em Fm F♯m Gm A♭m Am B♭m Bm

FAQ

What notes are in the Cm chord?

The Cm chord is made of C, E♭, G. A minor triad — darker and calmer than major.

What's the easiest way to play Cm on guitar?

The standard shape, from the 6th string to the 1st, is x35543 (an open chord). If the barre is hard, put a capo on fret 3 and play a Am shape — it sounds the same.

Which scale works for soloing over Cm?

C natural minor or C minor pentatonic fits well.

🎸 Transpose a whole chord sheet — Buskermate
Upload a PDF song sheet and Buskermate reads the chords and moves them to any key or capo position (the app is in Korean for now).