KeysC major
Key reference · diatonic chords

The Key of C major

The key of C major is built on the C major scale and contains the seven chords C, Dm, Em, F, G, Am, and Bdim. Its key signature has no sharps or flats.

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 C major

ICiiDmiiiEmIVFVGviAm
vii°Bdim

Common progressions in C major

I – IV – VCFG
I – V – vi – IVCGAmF
ii – V – IDmGC
I – vi – IV – VCAmFG

The C 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

Db majorD majorEb majorE majorF majorF# majorG majorAb majorA majorBb majorB major

Frequently asked questions

What chords are in the key of C major?
The key of C major contains seven chords, one on each note of the scale: C, Dm, Em, F, G, Am, and Bdim. In Roman numerals those are I, ii, iii, IV, V, vi, vii°.
What is the key signature of C major?
C major has no sharps or flats. It shares that key signature with its relative minor, A minor.
What are common chord progressions in C major?
I – IV – V is C – F – G; I – V – vi – IV is C – G – Am – F. The I, IV, and V chords (C, F, G) do most of the work in popular music.
What is the relative minor of C major?
The relative minor of C major is A minor. It uses the same notes and the same key signature, just starting from a different home note.