Chords in the key of D major

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

Quick answer

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

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

Key signature2 sharps

Relative minorB minor

ScaleD E F# G A B C#

Major pentatonicD E F# A B

Open on the circle of fifths Find scales for my chords

The chords in the key of D major

The seven chords in D major are D, Em, F#m, G, A, Bm, C#dim. As seventh chords they're Dmaj7, Em7, F#m7, Gmaj7, A7, Bm7, C#m7b5. They all use only notes from the D major scale, so they sound like they belong together in any order.

Chords in D major with Roman numerals
Degree	Numeral	Triad	Seventh chord
1	I	D	Dmaj7
2	ii	Em	Em7
3	iii	F#m	F#m7
4	IV	G	Gmaj7
5	V	A	A7
6	vi	Bm	Bm7
7	vii°	C#dim	C#m7b5

Popular progressions in D major

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

D major on the circle of fifths

D major has 2 sharps. Its neighbors on the circle of fifths are G major and A major. They share all but one note with it, which makes them the smoothest keys to change to. Its relative minor, B minor, uses exactly the same notes and chords.

Scales to play over D major

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

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 D major?

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

What is the relative minor of D major?

The relative minor of D major is B minor. They share the same notes and key signature.

How many sharps or flats are in D major?

D major has 2 sharps.

What notes are in the D major scale?

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

Last updated November 14, 2026.