C#dim Guitar Chord C♯dim = Dbdim

C♯dim is a diminished chord made of C♯ · E · G. Two stacked minor 3rds — unstable and tense. The standard shape is a barre chord at fret 4: x4565x (6th string → 1st string, x = don't play, 0 = open string).

Chord charts

C#dim

Fret 4 · root on 5th string · x4565x · from fret 4

C#dim

Fret 8 · root on 4th string · x-x-11-9-8-9 · from fret 8

C#dim

Fret 9 barre · root on 6th string · 9-10-11-9-x-x · from fret 9

C#dim

Fret 11 · root on 4th string · x-x-11-12-14-12 · from fret 11

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

C#dim guitar chord chart — fret 4 barre x4565x and 3 more shapes — All C#dim 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

There's no convenient open shape to capo for this chord — the barre shape is the way to go.

Try it: capo on

Keys that use this chord

the vii° chord in D major

Scales that fit

C♯ Locrian Mode

Other C♯ chords

C♯C♯m C♯7 C♯maj7 C♯m7 C♯6 C♯m6 C♯sus4 C♯sus2 C♯7sus4 C♯dim C♯dim7 C♯m7b5 C♯aug C♯add9 C♯9 C♯m9 C♯maj9

Diminished chords in other keys

Cdim C♯dim Ddim E♭dim Edim Fdim F♯dim Gdim A♭dim Adim B♭dim Bdim

FAQ

What notes are in the C♯dim chord?

The C♯dim chord is made of C♯, E, G. Two stacked minor 3rds — unstable and tense.

What's the easiest way to play C♯dim on guitar?

The standard shape, from the 6th string to the 1st, is x4565x (a barre chord at fret 4). Barre with your index finger and form the shape with the other fingers.

Which scale works for soloing over C♯dim?

C♯ locrian fits well.

Are C♯dim and D♭dim the same chord?

Yes. C♯ and D♭ are two names for the same note (enharmonic equivalents), so the fingering and sound are identical — the spelling just depends on the key of the song.

🎸 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).