Chords in the key of E minor

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

Quick answer

The chords in E minor are Em, F#dim, G, Am, Bm, C, D (i ii° III iv v VI VII).

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

Key signature1 sharp

Relative majorG major

ScaleE F# G A B C D

Minor pentatonicE G A B D

Open on the circle of fifths Find scales for my chords

The chords in the key of E minor

The seven chords in E minor are Em, F#dim, G, Am, Bm, C, D. As seventh chords they're Em7, F#m7b5, Gmaj7, Am7, Bm7, Cmaj7, D7. They all use only notes from the E minor scale, so they sound like they belong together in any order.

Chords in E minor with Roman numerals
Degree	Numeral	Triad	Seventh chord
1	i	Em	Em7
2	ii°	F#dim	F#m7b5
3	III	G	Gmaj7
4	iv	Am	Am7
5	v	Bm	Bm7
6	VI	C	Cmaj7
7	VII	D	D7

Popular progressions in E minor

Common chord progressions played in E minor
Progression	Numerals	Chords in E
Minor ii–V–i	iiø7 V7 i7	F#m7b5 B7 Em7
Aeolian march	i VI VII i	Em C D Em
Phrygian menace	i bII i bII	Em F Em F
Minor three-chord	i iv v i	Em Am Bm Em
Andalusian cadence	i VII VI V	Em D C B
Minor pop	i VI III VII	Em C G D
Minor circle	i iv VII III	Em Am D G
Minor rock loop	i VII VI VII	Em D C D

E minor on the circle of fifths

E minor has 1 sharp. Its neighbors on the circle of fifths are A minor and B minor. They share all but one note with it, which makes them the smoothest keys to change to. Its relative major, G major, uses exactly the same notes and chords.

Scales to play over E minor

Use the E minor 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 minor pentatonic (E G A B D). For a bluesy edge, add the blue note with the E blues scale (E G A A# B D).

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 minor?

The chords in E minor are Em, F#dim, G, Am, Bm, C, D.

What is the relative major of E minor?

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

How many sharps or flats are in E minor?

E minor has 1 sharp.

What notes are in the E minor scale?

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

Last updated November 14, 2026.