KeysD major
Key reference · diatonic chords

The Key of D major

The key of D major is built on the D major scale and contains the seven chords D, Em, F#m, G, A, Bm, and C#dim. Its key signature has 2 sharps (F#, C#).

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 D major

IDiiEmiiiF#mIVGVAviBm
vii°C#dim

Common progressions in D major

I – IV – VDGA
I – V – vi – IVDABmG
ii – V – IEmAD
I – vi – IV – VDBmGA

The D 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 majorEb majorE majorF majorF# majorG majorAb majorA majorBb majorB major

Frequently asked questions

What chords are in the key of D major?
The key of D major contains seven chords, one on each note of the scale: D, Em, F#m, G, A, Bm, and C#dim. In Roman numerals those are I, ii, iii, IV, V, vi, vii°.
What is the key signature of D major?
D major has 2 sharps (F#, C#). It shares that key signature with its relative minor, B minor.
What are common chord progressions in D major?
I – IV – V is D – G – A; I – V – vi – IV is D – A – Bm – G. The I, IV, and V chords (D, G, A) do most of the work in popular music.
What is the relative minor of D major?
The relative minor of D major is B minor. It uses the same notes and the same key signature, just starting from a different home note.