Chords in the Key of C major
C major has no sharps or flats. Its seven chords are C, Dm, Em, F, G, Am, B°. The relative minor is A minor.
Click any chord to hear it, play the progressions or download them as MIDI. Click the circle to compare other keys.
C major scale
C – D – E – F – G – A – B. Key signature: no sharps or flats.
All chords in C major
| Degree | Triad | Notes | 7th chord | Notes | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | C | C – E – G | Cmaj7 | C – E – G – B | tonic (home) |
| ii | Dm | D – F – A | Dm7 | D – F – A – C | subdominant |
| iii | Em | E – G – B | Em7 | E – G – B – D | tonic substitute |
| IV | F | F – A – C | Fmaj7 | F – A – C – E | subdominant |
| V | G | G – B – D | G7 | G – B – D – F | dominant |
| vi | Am | A – C – E | Am7 | A – C – E – G | relative minor / tonic substitute |
| vii° | B° | B – D – F | Bm7♭5 | B – D – F – A | dominant (leading-tone chord) |
Common chord progressions in C major
| Numerals | Chords in C major |
|---|---|
| I – V – vi – IV | C – G – Am – F |
| vi – IV – I – V | Am – F – C – G |
| I – vi – IV – V | C – Am – F – G |
| ii – V – I | Dm – G – C |
Play them in the circle above, or get progressions from real songs in the chord progressions by genre tool.
Related keys
- Relative minor: A minor (same notes, different home chord).
- Parallel minor: C minor (same root; borrow chords from it for colour).
- Neighbouring keys on the circle of fifths: F major and G major, one accidental away, for smooth key changes.
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Quick answers
What chords are in the key of C major?
The chords in C major are C, Dm, Em, F, G, Am, B°. As 7th chords: Cmaj7, Dm7, Em7, Fmaj7, G7, Am7, Bm7♭5.
How many sharps are in C major?
C major has no sharps or flats.
What is the relative minor of C major?
A minor. Both keys use the same notes and key signature (no sharps or flats).
What is the V chord in C major?
G (G – B – D). As a 7th chord: G7.