Chords in the Key of A major
A major has 3 sharps (F♯, C♯, G♯). Its seven chords are A, Bm, C♯m, D, E, F♯m, G♯°. The relative minor is F♯ minor.
Click any chord to hear it, play the progressions or download them as MIDI. Click the circle to compare other keys.
A major scale
A – B – C♯ – D – E – F♯ – G♯. Key signature: 3 sharps (F♯, C♯, G♯).
All chords in A major
| Degree | Triad | Notes | 7th chord | Notes | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | A | A – C♯ – E | Amaj7 | A – C♯ – E – G♯ | tonic (home) |
| ii | Bm | B – D – F♯ | Bm7 | B – D – F♯ – A | subdominant |
| iii | C♯m | C♯ – E – G♯ | C♯m7 | C♯ – E – G♯ – B | tonic substitute |
| IV | D | D – F♯ – A | Dmaj7 | D – F♯ – A – C♯ | subdominant |
| V | E | E – G♯ – B | E7 | E – G♯ – B – D | dominant |
| vi | F♯m | F♯ – A – C♯ | F♯m7 | F♯ – A – C♯ – E | relative minor / tonic substitute |
| vii° | G♯° | G♯ – B – D | G♯m7♭5 | G♯ – B – D – F♯ | dominant (leading-tone chord) |
Common chord progressions in A major
| Numerals | Chords in A major |
|---|---|
| I – V – vi – IV | A – E – F♯m – D |
| vi – IV – I – V | F♯m – D – A – E |
| I – vi – IV – V | A – F♯m – D – E |
| ii – V – I | Bm – E – A |
Play them in the circle above, or get progressions from real songs in the chord progressions by genre tool.
Related keys
- Relative minor: F♯ minor (same notes, different home chord).
- Parallel minor: A minor (same root; borrow chords from it for colour).
- Neighbouring keys on the circle of fifths: D major and E major, one accidental away, for smooth key changes.
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Quick answers
What chords are in the key of A major?
The chords in A major are A, Bm, C♯m, D, E, F♯m, G♯°. As 7th chords: Amaj7, Bm7, C♯m7, Dmaj7, E7, F♯m7, G♯m7♭5.
How many sharps are in A major?
A major has 3 sharps (F♯, C♯, G♯).
What is the relative minor of A major?
F♯ minor. Both keys use the same notes and key signature (3 sharps (F♯, C♯, G♯)).
What is the V chord in A major?
E (E – G♯ – B). As a 7th chord: E7.