What notes are in an F augmented chord?

F augmented contains three notes: F (the root), A (the major third), and C♯ (the augmented fifth).

Is F augmented the same as A augmented?

Enharmonically yes — same three pitches in different inversions. F+, A+, and D♭+ all spell F, A, and C♯ (= D♭) in pitch class.

How does F augmented resolve?

In D minor, F+ resolves to B♭ major (III+ → VI). As an altered V in B♭ major, F+ resolves to B♭ with the augmented fifth (C♯) leading up to D in the tonic.

What's the difference between F+ and F major?

Only the fifth changes. F major is F–A–C; F+ raises the C to C♯. The half-step shift creates the augmented fifth and the chord's floating, unresolved sound.

F augmented chord — notes, intervals, and practice

F augmented — F, A, C♯ — stacks two major thirds. F+ is enharmonically the same chord as A+ and D♭+ (or C♯+). The chord most often appears as III+ of D harmonic minor, or as an altered dominant in B♭ major.

Intervals

The F augmented chord stacks two thirds on the root. Each interval and its size in semitones:

F→Amajor 3rd4 semitones
A→C#major 3rd4 semitones
F→C#augmented 5th8 semitones

On the keyboard

Each note of the F augmented chord highlighted on a piano. Pitch class is what matters — any octave works.

On the guitar

One voicing of the F augmented chord on a six-string guitar fretboard.

Common mistakes

F+ has F and A as the lower notes (same as F major) but the fifth is C♯, not C natural. The mix of two naturals and one sharp is unusual in flat-key contexts. Replacing C♯ with C makes an F major chord — the augmented colour disappears.

In context

F+ functions as III+ of D harmonic minor: Dm → F+ → B♭ (i → III+ → VI) is a common minor-key colour cadence. In B♭ major, F+ acts as an altered dominant — instead of resolving F → B♭ with a perfect fifth, the augmented fifth (C♯) creates extra tension before resolving to D in the tonic chord.

Drill it

The F augmented 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.

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Frequently asked

What notes are in an F augmented chord?: F augmented contains three notes: F (the root), A (the major third), and C♯ (the augmented fifth).
Is F augmented the same as A augmented?: Enharmonically yes — same three pitches in different inversions. F+, A+, and D♭+ all spell F, A, and C♯ (= D♭) in pitch class.
How does F augmented resolve?: In D minor, F+ resolves to B♭ major (III+ → VI). As an altered V in B♭ major, F+ resolves to B♭ with the augmented fifth (C♯) leading up to D in the tonic.
What's the difference between F+ and F major?: Only the fifth changes. F major is F–A–C; F+ raises the C to C♯. The half-step shift creates the augmented fifth and the chord's floating, unresolved sound.