Intervals
Diminished Fifth
5d · 6 semitones
The same six semitones as the tritone, spelled as a narrowed fifth — the interval inside every diminished triad.
Also written d5 · 5d
Diminished Fifth
5d · 6 semitones
On the piano, from every note
| From | Notes | Play it on your instrument |
|---|---|---|
| C | C – Gb | |
| C# | C# – G | |
| D | D – Ab | |
| Eb | Eb – Bbb | |
| E | E – Bb | |
| F | F – Cb | |
| F# | F# – C | |
| G | G – Db | |
| Ab | Ab – Ebb | |
| A | A – Eb | |
| Bb | Bb – Fb | |
| B | B – F |
Tap a key or a fret to hear it.
Read on: number and quality · inversion · compound intervals · consonance and dissonance
Every fifth
A fifth can take these qualities, one semitone apart; choose one to see the upper note move and hear the pair.
Scales that contain it
C LocrianC · Db · Eb · F · Gb · Ab · Bb
C Minor BluesC · Eb · F · Gb · G · Bb
C ChromaticC · Db · D · Eb · E · F · Gb · G · Ab · A · Bb · B
In C major
- B–F
Understanding Diminished Fifth
Names and symbols
Diminished Fifth is written d5, 5d: the letter is the quality, the number the size. Chord formulas on this site write the number first, as tonal does.
"Tritone" names a sound, not a spelling: the augmented fourth and the diminished fifth are both six semitones and both go by the name. Which one is written depends on the letters — F to B is an augmented fourth, B to F a diminished fifth — and the spelling says where the line is going.
How it sounds
A diminished fifth spans 6 semitones: C – Gb. It sounds identical to the augmented fourth, and the two are distinguished only by spelling — and by what they do next.
A diminished fifth contracts inward when it resolves; an augmented fourth expands outward. Same sound, opposite instinct, and the notation is what tells a reader which one is meant.
Where you will find it
Between the root and fifth of any diminished triad, and between the seventh and third of a dominant seventh chord. In a major key it sits between the seventh and fourth degrees, which is why the chord built on the leading tone is diminished.
Learn this properly
Chapter 10: Chords: Triads and SeventhsCommon questions
- How many semitones is a Diminished Fifth?
- A Diminished Fifth spans 6 semitones: C – Gb. Count the semitones of any interval with the interval calculator.
- What is the difference between a diminished fifth and an augmented fourth?
- None in sound. The diminished fifth resolves inward, the augmented fourth outward, and the spelling is how a composer indicates which.
- Which chord contains a diminished fifth?
- Every diminished triad and every diminished seventh chord, and it sits between the third and seventh of any dominant seventh.
- How do I play Diminished Fifth?
- On guitar the handiest shape is Next string, B 1 · E 2, read as string and fret; the instrument panel draws it from any starting note with the other shapes. On the piano count 6 semitones up from any key, black keys included. Play the notes together for the harmonic form, one after the other for the melodic form.
- What is the inversion of Diminished Fifth?
- The inversion of Diminished Fifth is the Tritone: put the lower note an octave higher and the distance that remains is the inversion. The two always add up to an octave, 6 semitones and 6 semitones, and swap their qualities between major and minor, or keep perfect as perfect.