Chords in the key of E major

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

Quick answer

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

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

Key signature4 sharps

Relative minorC# minor

ScaleE F# G# A B C# D#

Major pentatonicE F# G# B C#

Open on the circle of fifths Find scales for my chords

The chords in the key of E major

The seven chords in E major are E, F#m, G#m, A, B, C#m, D#dim. As seventh chords they're Emaj7, F#m7, G#m7, Amaj7, B7, C#m7, D#m7b5. They all use only notes from the E major scale, so they sound like they belong together in any order.

Chords in E major with Roman numerals
Degree	Numeral	Triad	Seventh chord
1	I	E	Emaj7
2	ii	F#m	F#m7
3	iii	G#m	G#m7
4	IV	A	Amaj7
5	V	B	B7
6	vi	C#m	C#m7
7	vii°	D#dim	D#m7b5

Popular progressions in E major

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

E major on the circle of fifths

E major has 4 sharps. Its neighbors on the circle of fifths are A major and B major. They share all but one note with it, which makes them the smoothest keys to change to. Its relative minor, C# minor, uses exactly the same notes and chords.

Scales to play over E major

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

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 E major?

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

What is the relative minor of E major?

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

How many sharps or flats are in E major?

E major has 4 sharps.

What notes are in the E major scale?

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

Last updated November 14, 2026.