KeysE major
Key reference · diatonic chords

The Key of E major

The key of E major is built on the E major scale and contains the seven chords E, F#m, G#m, A, B, C#m, and D#dim. Its key signature has 4 sharps (F#, C#, G#, D#).

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 E major

IEiiF#miiiG#mIVAVBviC#m
vii°D#dim

Common progressions in E major

I – IV – VEAB
I – V – vi – IVEBC#mA
ii – V – IF#mBE
I – vi – IV – VEC#mAB

The E 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 majorF majorF# majorG majorAb majorA majorBb majorB major

Frequently asked questions

What chords are in the key of E major?
The key of E major contains seven chords, one on each note of the scale: E, F#m, G#m, A, B, C#m, and D#dim. In Roman numerals those are I, ii, iii, IV, V, vi, vii°.
What is the key signature of E major?
E major has 4 sharps (F#, C#, G#, D#). It shares that key signature with its relative minor, C# minor.
What are common chord progressions in E major?
I – IV – V is E – A – B; I – V – vi – IV is E – B – C#m – A. The I, IV, and V chords (E, A, B) do most of the work in popular music.
What is the relative minor of E major?
The relative minor of E major is C# minor. It uses the same notes and the same key signature, just starting from a different home note.