Chords in the key of C minor

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

Quick answer

The chords in C minor are Cm, Ddim, Eb, Fm, Gm, Ab, Bb (i ii° III iv v VI VII).

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

Key signature3 flats

Relative majorEb major

ScaleC D Eb F G Ab Bb

Minor pentatonicC Eb F G Bb

Open on the circle of fifths Find scales for my chords

The chords in the key of C minor

The seven chords in C minor are Cm, Ddim, Eb, Fm, Gm, Ab, Bb. As seventh chords they're Cm7, Dm7b5, Ebmaj7, Fm7, Gm7, Abmaj7, Bb7. They all use only notes from the C minor scale, so they sound like they belong together in any order.

Chords in C minor with Roman numerals
Degree	Numeral	Triad	Seventh chord
1	i	Cm	Cm7
2	ii°	Ddim	Dm7b5
3	III	Eb	Ebmaj7
4	iv	Fm	Fm7
5	v	Gm	Gm7
6	VI	Ab	Abmaj7
7	VII	Bb	Bb7

Popular progressions in C minor

Common chord progressions played in C minor
Progression	Numerals	Chords in C
Minor ii–V–i	iiø7 V7 i7	Dm7b5 G7 Cm7
Aeolian march	i VI VII i	Cm Ab Bb Cm
Phrygian menace	i bII i bII	Cm Db Cm Db
Minor three-chord	i iv v i	Cm Fm Gm Cm
Andalusian cadence	i VII VI V	Cm Bb Ab G
Minor pop	i VI III VII	Cm Ab Eb Bb
Minor circle	i iv VII III	Cm Fm Bb Eb
Minor rock loop	i VII VI VII	Cm Bb Ab Bb

C minor on the circle of fifths

C minor has 3 flats. Its neighbors on the circle of fifths are F minor and G minor. They share all but one note with it, which makes them the smoothest keys to change to. Its relative major, Eb major, uses exactly the same notes and chords.

Scales to play over C minor

Use the C minor scale (C D Eb F G Ab Bb) for melodies and solos. For a simpler sound that's hard to get wrong, try the C minor pentatonic (C Eb F G Bb). For a bluesy edge, add the blue note with the C blues scale (C Eb F Gb G Bb).

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 minor?

The chords in C minor are Cm, Ddim, Eb, Fm, Gm, Ab, Bb.

What is the relative major of C minor?

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

How many sharps or flats are in C minor?

C minor has 3 flats.

What notes are in the C minor scale?

The C minor scale is C D Eb F G Ab Bb.

Last updated November 14, 2026.