What is an Augmented Chord?

An augmented chord is a type of musical chord made up of three notes: the root, a major third, and an augmented fifth. The augmented fifth is one semitone higher than a perfect fifth, which gives the chord its distinctive sound. For example, a C augmented chord consists of the notes C, E, and G♯.

The sound of an augmented chord is often described as tense, mysterious, or slightly unstable. Because the fifth of the chord is raised, the harmony does not feel fully resolved and tends to create a sense of movement or anticipation. This quality makes augmented chords useful for creating dramatic transitions in music.

Augmented chords appear in many musical styles, including classical music, jazz, film scores, and modern compositions. They are often used as passing chords or to add color and tension to chord progressions. Despite being less common than major or minor chords, augmented chords are an important harmonic tool for composers and musicians.