The I–IV–vi–V chord progression

Uplift. Hopeful, with a lift on the vi before the turnaround.

Quick answer

I–IV–vi–V in C major is C F Am G.

Key

What the I–IV–vi–V progression sounds like

Hopeful, with a lift on the vi before the turnaround. In C major it's C F Am G.

You'll find it in Pop songwriting.

Scales that fit I–IV–vi–V

Over this progression in C, the best-fitting scales are C Major (Ionian), G Mixolydian, C Lydian. Put your own chords into the scale finder to see more.

I–IV–vi–V in every key

The I–IV–vi–V progression in all 12 major keys
Key	Chords
C major	C F Am G
G major	G C Em D
D major	D G Bm A
A major	A D F#m E
E major	E A C#m B
B major	B E G#m F#
F# major	F# B D#m C#
Db major	Db Gb Bbm Ab
Ab major	Ab Db Fm Eb
Eb major	Eb Ab Cm Bb
Bb major	Bb Eb Gm F
F major	F Bb Dm C

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Common questions

What are the chords in the I–IV–vi–V progression?

In C major the I–IV–vi–V progression is C F Am G. The pattern is the same in every key; the table above lists all 12.

What scale goes with I–IV–vi–V?

In C, the C Major (Ionian) fits best. G Mixolydian and C Lydian add different colors.

Last updated November 14, 2026.