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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 RuDSuoIBnK00lf4M1QjbUoTzeXUe79diQe/k2jQhvEOqnEo5FjXt74Box3CgPEcN
 mZMuHsg4iBBtd4XO4pJ9aw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001179110-04-001591.txt : 20040122
<SEC-HEADER>0001179110-04-001591.hdr.sgml : 20040122
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040122163149
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001179110-04-001591
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040120
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040122

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			SPADAFORA SAMUEL T
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001185463

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-29357
		FILM NUMBER:		04537613

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		4125 HOPYARD RD
		CITY:			PLEASANTON
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94588

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CHORDIANT SOFTWARE INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001042134
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SERVICES-PREPACKAGED SOFTWARE [7372]
		IRS NUMBER:				931051328
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		20400 STEVENS CREEK BLVD
		STREET 2:		SUITE 400
		CITY:			CUPERTINO
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			95014
		BUSINESS PHONE:		4085176100

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		20400 STEVENS CREEK BLVD
		STREET 2:		SUITE 400
		CITY:			CUPERTINO
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			95014
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4 -
<TEXT>
<XML>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>
<periodOfReport>2004-01-20</periodOfReport>
<notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001042134</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>CHORDIANT SOFTWARE INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CHRD</issuerTradingSymbol>
</issuer>
<reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001185463</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>SPADAFORA SAMUEL T</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>20400 STEVENS CREEK BOULEVARD, SUITE 200</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>CUPERTINO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>95014</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
<isDirector>1</isDirector>
<isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
<isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
<isOther>0</isOther>
<officerTitle></officerTitle>
<otherText></otherText>
</reportingOwnerRelationship>
</reportingOwner>
<nonDerivativeTable><nonDerivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>Common Stock</value>
</securityTitle>
<transactionDate><value>2004-01-20</value>
</transactionDate>
<transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
<transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
<equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
</transactionCoding>
<transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>15000</value>
<footnoteId id="F1"></footnoteId>
</transactionShares>
<transactionPricePerShare><value>5.82</value>
</transactionPricePerShare>
<transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>D</value>
</transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
</transactionAmounts>
<postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>488750</value>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
</postTransactionAmounts>
<ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>I</value>
</directOrIndirectOwnership>
<natureOfOwnership><value>See footnote.</value>
<footnoteId id="F2"></footnoteId>
</natureOfOwnership>
</ownershipNature>
</nonDerivativeTransaction>
</nonDerivativeTable>
<derivativeTable></derivativeTable>
<footnotes><footnote id="F1">The sale reported on this Form 4 was effected pursuant to a Rule 10b-5-1 trading plan adopted by the reporting person on May 13, 2003.</footnote>
<footnote id="F2">Consists of (a) 10,000 shares held by the Sandra Oates Irrevocable Trust, (b) 20,000 shares held by the Steven Spadafora Irrevocable Trust, (c) 20,000 shares held by the Michael Spadafora Irrevocable Trust, (d) 20,000 shares held by Steven Spadafora, Mr. Spadafora's son, (e) 20,000 shares held by Sandra Oates, Mr. Spadafora's daughter, (f) 20,000 shares held by Michael Spadafora, Mr. Spadafora's son, (g) 10,000 shares held by Michael Spadafora as custodian for Sofia Rose Spadafora, Mr. Spadafora's granddaughter, pursuant to the Uniform Transfers to Minors Act, (h) 7,500 shares held by Nicole Oates, Mr. Spadafora's granddaughter, (i) 7,500 shares held by Taylor Oates,Mr. Spadafora's granddaughter, (j) 2,500 shares held by Taylor Oates in care of Mr. Spadafora, (k) 2,500 shares held by Nicole Oates in care of Mr. Spadafora, (l) 348,750 shares held by Samuel T. and Cheryl M. Spadafora 1992 Family Trust.</footnote>
</footnotes>
<ownerSignature><signatureName>Nancy H. Wojtas (Attorney-In-Fact)</signatureName>
<signatureDate>2004-01-22</signatureDate>
</ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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