KeysA major
Key reference · diatonic chords

The Key of A major

The key of A major is built on the A major scale and contains the seven chords A, Bm, C#m, D, E, F#m, and G#dim. Its key signature has 3 sharps (F#, C#, G#).

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 A major

IAiiBmiiiC#mIVDVEviF#m
vii°G#dim

Common progressions in A major

I – IV – VADE
I – V – vi – IVAEF#mD
ii – V – IBmEA
I – vi – IV – VAF#mDE

The A 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 majorAb majorBb majorB major

Frequently asked questions

What chords are in the key of A major?
The key of A major contains seven chords, one on each note of the scale: A, Bm, C#m, D, E, F#m, and G#dim. In Roman numerals those are I, ii, iii, IV, V, vi, vii°.
What is the key signature of A major?
A major has 3 sharps (F#, C#, G#). It shares that key signature with its relative minor, F# minor.
What are common chord progressions in A major?
I – IV – V is A – D – E; I – V – vi – IV is A – E – F#m – D. The I, IV, and V chords (A, D, E) do most of the work in popular music.
What is the relative minor of A major?
The relative minor of A major is F# minor. It uses the same notes and the same key signature, just starting from a different home note.