KeysE minor
Key reference · diatonic chords

The Key of E minor

The key of E minor is built on the E minor scale and contains the seven chords Em, F#dim, G, Am, Bm, C, and D. Its key signature has 1 sharp (F#).

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 minor

iEm
ii°F#dim
IIIGivAmvBmVICVIID

Common progressions in E minor

i – iv – vEmAmBm
i – VI – VIIEmCD
i – VII – VI – VIIEmDCD
ii° – v – iF#dimBmEm

The E minor 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 minor keys

C minorC# minorD minorEb minorF minorF# minorG minorG# minorA minorBb minorB minor

Frequently asked questions

What chords are in the key of E minor?
The key of E minor contains seven chords, one on each note of the scale: Em, F#dim, G, Am, Bm, C, and D. In Roman numerals those are i, ii°, III, iv, v, VI, VII.
What is the key signature of E minor?
E minor has 1 sharp (F#). It shares that key signature with its relative major, G major.
What are common chord progressions in E minor?
i – iv – v is Em – Am – Bm; i – VI – VII is Em – C – D. In minor keys the v chord (Bm) is often raised to a major V or V7 for a stronger pull back to the tonic.
What is the relative major of E minor?
The relative major of E minor is G major. It uses the same notes and the same key signature, just starting from a different home note.