Chords in the key of C major

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

Quick answer

The chords in C major are C, Dm, Em, F, G, Am, Bdim (I ii iii IV V vi vii°).

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

Key signatureno sharps or flats

Relative minorA minor

ScaleC D E F G A B

Major pentatonicC D E G A

Open on the circle of fifths Find scales for my chords

The chords in the key of C major

The seven chords in C major are C, Dm, Em, F, G, Am, Bdim. As seventh chords they're Cmaj7, Dm7, Em7, Fmaj7, G7, Am7, Bm7b5. They all use only notes from the C major scale, so they sound like they belong together in any order.

Chords in C major with Roman numerals
Degree	Numeral	Triad	Seventh chord
1	I	C	Cmaj7
2	ii	Dm	Dm7
3	iii	Em	Em7
4	IV	F	Fmaj7
5	V	G	G7
6	vi	Am	Am7
7	vii°	Bdim	Bm7b5

Popular progressions in C major

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

C major on the circle of fifths

C major has no sharps or flats. Its neighbors on the circle of fifths are F major and G major. They share all but one note with it, which makes them the smoothest keys to change to. Its relative minor, A minor, uses exactly the same notes and chords.

Scales to play over C major

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

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 C major?

The chords in C major are C, Dm, Em, F, G, Am, Bdim.

What is the relative minor of C major?

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

How many sharps or flats are in C major?

C major has no sharps or flats.

What notes are in the C major scale?

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

Last updated November 14, 2026.