A13 — A, C♯, E, G, B, F♯ — is a dominant 13th chord: dominant 7 + 9 + 13. The 13 is a major 6th above the root, an octave up; the chord is the standard big-V chord in jazz cadences.
Intervals
The A dominant 13 chord stacks two thirds on the root. Each interval and its size in semitones:
- A→C#major 3rd4 semitones
- C#→Eminor 3rd3 semitones
- E→Gminor 3rd3 semitones
- G→Bmajor 3rd4 semitones
- B→F#perfect 5th7 semitones
On the keyboard
Each note of the A dominant 13 chord highlighted on a piano. Pitch class is what matters — any octave works.
On the guitar
One voicing of the A dominant 13 chord on a six-string guitar fretboard.
- 1A
- 3C#
- 5E
- ♭7G
- 9B
- 13F#
Common mistakes
The defining note is the 13th (F♯). 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 V13 — the standard big-dominant in jazz cadences.
Drill it
The A dominant 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 A13 chord?
- A13 contains six notes: A, C♯, E, G, B, F♯.
- How is A13 different from A7?
- A13 adds the 13th (F♯) on top of the underlying 7th chord. The 13th extends the chord into the next octave and adds harmonic colour.
- When is A13 used in music?
- Functions as the fully-extended V13 — the standard big-dominant in jazz cadences.