Chords in the key of A major

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

Quick answer

The chords in A major are A, Bm, C#m, D, E, F#m, G#dim (I ii iii IV V vi vii°).

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

Key signature3 sharps

Relative minorF# minor

ScaleA B C# D E F# G#

Major pentatonicA B C# E F#

Open on the circle of fifths Find scales for my chords

The chords in the key of A major

The seven chords in A major are A, Bm, C#m, D, E, F#m, G#dim. As seventh chords they're Amaj7, Bm7, C#m7, Dmaj7, E7, F#m7, G#m7b5. They all use only notes from the A major scale, so they sound like they belong together in any order.

Chords in A major with Roman numerals
Degree	Numeral	Triad	Seventh chord
1	I	A	Amaj7
2	ii	Bm	Bm7
3	iii	C#m	C#m7
4	IV	D	Dmaj7
5	V	E	E7
6	vi	F#m	F#m7
7	vii°	G#dim	G#m7b5

Popular progressions in A major

Common chord progressions played in A major
Progression	Numerals	Chords in A
The pop axis	I V vi IV	A E F#m D
Sensitive pop	vi IV I V	F#m D A E
50s doo-wop	I vi IV V	A F#m D E
Uplift	I IV vi V	A D F#m E
Floating pop	IV I V vi	D A E F#m
Canon	I V vi iii IV I IV V	A E F#m C#m D A D E
Mixolydian rock	I bVII IV I	A G D A
Three-chord rock	I IV V IV	A D E D

A major on the circle of fifths

A major has 3 sharps. Its neighbors on the circle of fifths are D major and E 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 A major

Use the A major scale (A B C# D E F# G#) for melodies and solos. For a simpler sound that's hard to get wrong, try the A major pentatonic (A B C# E 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 A major?

The chords in A major are A, Bm, C#m, D, E, F#m, G#dim.

What is the relative minor of A major?

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

How many sharps or flats are in A major?

A major has 3 sharps.

What notes are in the A major scale?

The A major scale is A B C# D E F# G#.

Last updated November 14, 2026.