Em13 — E, G, B, D, F♯, C♯ — 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 E minor 13 chord stacks two thirds on the root. Each interval and its size in semitones:
- E→Gminor 3rd3 semitones
- G→Bmajor 3rd4 semitones
- B→Dminor 3rd3 semitones
- D→F#major 3rd4 semitones
- F#→C#perfect 5th7 semitones
On the keyboard
Each note of the E minor 13 chord highlighted on a piano. Pitch class is what matters — any octave works.
On the guitar
One voicing of the E minor 13 chord on a six-string guitar fretboard.
- 1E
- ♭3G
- 5B
- ♭7D
- 9F#
- 13C#
Common mistakes
The defining note is the 13th (C♯). 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 E 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 Em13 chord?
- Em13 contains six notes: E, G, B, D, F♯, C♯.
- How is Em13 different from Em7?
- Em13 adds the 13th (C♯) on top of the underlying 7th chord. The 13th extends the chord into the next octave and adds harmonic colour.
- When is Em13 used in music?
- Functions as a fully-extended iim13 or im13 — a complete minor sonority in modern jazz harmony.