Chords in the key of Ab major

The seven chords, the scale and the progressions that work in Ab major. Tap any chord to hear it.

Quick answer

The chords in Ab major are Ab, Bbm, Cm, Db, Eb, Fm, Gdim (I ii iii IV V vi vii°).

Tap a chord to hear it and add it to your song sketch

Key signature4 flats

Relative minorF minor

ScaleAb Bb C Db Eb F G

Major pentatonicAb Bb C Eb F

Open on the circle of fifths Find scales for my chords

The chords in the key of Ab major

The seven chords in Ab major are Ab, Bbm, Cm, Db, Eb, Fm, Gdim. As seventh chords they're Abmaj7, Bbm7, Cm7, Dbmaj7, Eb7, Fm7, Gm7b5. They all use only notes from the Ab major scale, so they sound like they belong together in any order.

Chords in Ab major with Roman numerals
Degree	Numeral	Triad	Seventh chord
1	I	Ab	Abmaj7
2	ii	Bbm	Bbm7
3	iii	Cm	Cm7
4	IV	Db	Dbmaj7
5	V	Eb	Eb7
6	vi	Fm	Fm7
7	vii°	Gdim	Gm7b5

Popular progressions in Ab major

Common chord progressions played in Ab major
Progression	Numerals	Chords in Ab
The pop axis	I V vi IV	Ab Eb Fm Db
Sensitive pop	vi IV I V	Fm Db Ab Eb
50s doo-wop	I vi IV V	Ab Fm Db Eb
Uplift	I IV vi V	Ab Db Fm Eb
Floating pop	IV I V vi	Db Ab Eb Fm
Canon	I V vi iii IV I IV V	Ab Eb Fm Cm Db Ab Db Eb
Mixolydian rock	I bVII IV I	Ab Gb Db Ab
Three-chord rock	I IV V IV	Ab Db Eb Db

Ab major on the circle of fifths

Ab major has 4 flats. Its neighbors on the circle of fifths are Db major and Eb major. They share all but one note with it, which makes them the smoothest keys to change to. Its relative minor, F minor, uses exactly the same notes and chords.

Scales to play over Ab major

Use the Ab major scale (Ab Bb C Db Eb F G) for melodies and solos. For a simpler sound that's hard to get wrong, try the Ab major pentatonic (Ab Bb C Eb F).

Every key

C major G major D major A major E major B major F# major Db major Ab major Eb major Bb major F major A minor E minor B minor F# minor C# minor G# minor D# minor Bb minor F minor C minor G minor D minor

Common questions

What chords are in the key of Ab major?

The chords in Ab major are Ab, Bbm, Cm, Db, Eb, Fm, Gdim.

What is the relative minor of Ab major?

The relative minor of Ab major is F minor. They share the same notes and key signature.

How many sharps or flats are in Ab major?

Ab major has 4 flats.

What notes are in the Ab major scale?

The Ab major scale is Ab Bb C Db Eb F G.

Last updated November 14, 2026.