Chords in the Key of E major
E major has 4 sharps (F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯). Its seven chords are E, F♯m, G♯m, A, B, C♯m, D♯°. The relative minor is C♯ minor.
Click any chord to hear it, play the progressions or download them as MIDI. Click the circle to compare other keys.
E major scale
E – F♯ – G♯ – A – B – C♯ – D♯. Key signature: 4 sharps (F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯).
All chords in E major
| Degree | Triad | Notes | 7th chord | Notes | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | E | E – G♯ – B | Emaj7 | E – G♯ – B – D♯ | tonic (home) |
| ii | F♯m | F♯ – A – C♯ | F♯m7 | F♯ – A – C♯ – E | subdominant |
| iii | G♯m | G♯ – B – D♯ | G♯m7 | G♯ – B – D♯ – F♯ | tonic substitute |
| IV | A | A – C♯ – E | Amaj7 | A – C♯ – E – G♯ | subdominant |
| V | B | B – D♯ – F♯ | B7 | B – D♯ – F♯ – A | dominant |
| vi | C♯m | C♯ – E – G♯ | C♯m7 | C♯ – E – G♯ – B | relative minor / tonic substitute |
| vii° | D♯° | D♯ – F♯ – A | D♯m7♭5 | D♯ – F♯ – A – C♯ | dominant (leading-tone chord) |
Common chord progressions in E major
| Numerals | Chords in E major |
|---|---|
| I – V – vi – IV | E – B – C♯m – A |
| vi – IV – I – V | C♯m – A – E – B |
| I – vi – IV – V | E – C♯m – A – B |
| ii – V – I | F♯m – B – E |
Play them in the circle above, or get progressions from real songs in the chord progressions by genre tool.
Related keys
- Relative minor: C♯ minor (same notes, different home chord).
- Parallel minor: E minor (same root; borrow chords from it for colour).
- Neighbouring keys on the circle of fifths: A major and B major, one accidental away, for smooth key changes.
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Quick answers
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♯°. As 7th chords: Emaj7, F♯m7, G♯m7, Amaj7, B7, C♯m7, D♯m7♭5.
How many sharps are in E major?
E major has 4 sharps (F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯).
What is the relative minor of E major?
C♯ minor. Both keys use the same notes and key signature (4 sharps (F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯)).
What is the V chord in E major?
B (B – D♯ – F♯). As a 7th chord: B7.