KeysAb major
Key reference · diatonic chords

The Key of Ab major

The key of Ab major is built on the Ab major scale and contains the seven chords Ab, Bbm, Cm, Db, Eb, Fm, and Gdim. Its key signature has 4 flats (Bb, Eb, Ab, Db).

Below are those chords by scale degree, the progressions they build, and the related scale and key you can reach from here.

Chords in the key of Ab major

IAbiiBbmiiiCmIVDbVEbviFm
vii°Gdim

Common progressions in Ab major

I – IV – VAbDbEb
I – V – vi – IVAbEbFmDb
ii – V – IBbmEbAb
I – vi – IV – VAbFmDbEb

The Ab major scale on the fretboard →

See every note of the scale this key is built from, mapped across the neck.

Explore keys on the Circle of Fifths →

The free interactive circle shows every key signature and the chords that belong to each key.

Other major keys

C majorDb majorD majorEb majorE majorF majorF# majorG majorA majorBb majorB major

Frequently asked questions

What chords are in the key of Ab major?
The key of Ab major contains seven chords, one on each note of the scale: Ab, Bbm, Cm, Db, Eb, Fm, and Gdim. In Roman numerals those are I, ii, iii, IV, V, vi, vii°.
What is the key signature of Ab major?
Ab major has 4 flats (Bb, Eb, Ab, Db). It shares that key signature with its relative minor, F minor.
What are common chord progressions in Ab major?
I – IV – V is Ab – Db – Eb; I – V – vi – IV is Ab – Eb – Fm – Db. The I, IV, and V chords (Ab, Db, Eb) do most of the work in popular music.
What is the relative minor of Ab major?
The relative minor of Ab major is F minor. It uses the same notes and the same key signature, just starting from a different home note.