Cm13 — C, E♭, G, B♭, D, A — 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 C minor 13 chord stacks two thirds on the root. Each interval and its size in semitones:
- C→Ebminor 3rd3 semitones
- Eb→Gmajor 3rd4 semitones
- G→Bbminor 3rd3 semitones
- Bb→Dmajor 3rd4 semitones
- D→Aperfect 5th7 semitones
On the keyboard
Each note of the C minor 13 chord highlighted on a piano. Pitch class is what matters — any octave works.
On the guitar
One voicing of the C minor 13 chord on a six-string guitar fretboard.
- 1C
- ♭3Eb
- 5G
- ♭7Bb
- 9D
- 13A
Common mistakes
The defining note is the 13th (A). 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 C 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 Cm13 chord?
- Cm13 contains six notes: C, E♭, G, B♭, D, A.
- How is Cm13 different from Cm7?
- Cm13 adds the 13th (A) on top of the underlying 7th chord. The 13th extends the chord into the next octave and adds harmonic colour.
- When is Cm13 used in music?
- Functions as a fully-extended iim13 or im13 — a complete minor sonority in modern jazz harmony.