D♯m13 — D♯, F♯, A♯, C♯, E♯, B♯ — is a minor 13th chord: m7 + 9 + 13. The 13 sits a major 6th above the root, two octaves up — borrowed from Dorian or melodic minor like the m6 chord's sixth.
Intervals
The D# minor 13 chord stacks two thirds on the root. Each interval and its size in semitones:
- D#→F#minor 3rd3 semitones
- F#→A#major 3rd4 semitones
- A#→C#minor 3rd3 semitones
- C#→E#major 3rd4 semitones
- E#→B#perfect 5th7 semitones
On the keyboard
Each note of the D# minor 13 chord highlighted on a piano. Pitch class is what matters — any octave works.
On the guitar
One voicing of the D# minor 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 a fully-extended iim13 or im13 — a complete minor sonority in modern jazz harmony.
Drill it
The D# minor 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 D♯m13 chord?
- D♯m13 contains six notes: D♯, F♯, A♯, C♯, E♯, B♯.
- How is D♯m13 different from D♯m7?
- D♯m13 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 D♯m13 used in music?
- Functions as a fully-extended iim13 or im13 — a complete minor sonority in modern jazz harmony.