Dmaj13 — D, F♯, A, C♯, E, B — is a major 13th chord: stacked thirds through the 13th — maj7 + 9 + 13 (the 11th is conventionally omitted to avoid clashing with the 3rd). The full-stacked tonic sonority of advanced jazz harmony.
Intervals
The D major 13 chord stacks two thirds on the root. Each interval and its size in semitones:
- D→F#major 3rd4 semitones
- F#→Aminor 3rd3 semitones
- A→C#major 3rd4 semitones
- C#→Eminor 3rd3 semitones
- E→Bperfect 5th7 semitones
On the keyboard
Each note of the D major 13 chord highlighted on a piano. Pitch class is what matters — any octave works.
On the guitar
One voicing of the D major 13 chord on a six-string guitar fretboard.
- 1D
- 3F#
- 5A
- 7C#
- 9E
- 13B
Common mistakes
The defining note is the 13th (B). It sits more than an octave above the root, which is why the chord needs a wide voicing — in tight piano voicings the 13th usually appears in the top register while the root and lower triad tones cluster below.
In context
Functions as the fully-extended Imaj13 — a complete tonic sonority in modern jazz harmony.
Drill it
The D major 13 chord is one of 48 in the Chord Trainer. Open the full trainer to practice it alongside related chords with timing and best-time tracking.
Open the Chord Trainer →Or try today's Etudle puzzleRelated
Frequently asked
- What notes are in a Dmaj13 chord?
- Dmaj13 contains six notes: D, F♯, A, C♯, E, B.
- How is Dmaj13 different from Dmaj7?
- Dmaj13 adds the 13th (B) on top of the underlying 7th chord. The 13th extends the chord into the next octave and adds harmonic colour.
- When is Dmaj13 used in music?
- Functions as the fully-extended Imaj13 — a complete tonic sonority in modern jazz harmony.