Chord progressions, playable in any key
A chord progression is the order in which chords are played in a song. Progressions are written in Roman numerals (I, IV, V, vi) so the same pattern works in every key. The most common is I–V–vi–IV, which in C major is C – G – Am – F. Press play, then change the key.
In C major, 4 beats per chord. Open in the progression builder
- IC
- VG
- viAm
- IVF
How Roman numerals work
Build a triad on each note of the major scale and you get seven chords. Number them I to VII. In C major:
| Numeral | I | ii | iii | IV | V | vi | vii° |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chord in C |
Capital numerals (I, IV, V) are major chords. Lowercase numerals (ii, iii, vi) are minor. The small circle on vii° marks a diminished chord. Every major key has the same pattern of major, minor and diminished chords in the same places, so a numeral tells you both which chord and what type it is, whatever the key.
Why I, IV, V and vi do most of the work
I is home: it is where a song feels settled. V is the chord that pulls back to home most strongly, because its notes lean into the notes of I. IV moves away from home without the same tension, so it feels like a lift. Between them, the I, IV and V chords of C contain every note of the scale: C, E, G, F, A, B, D. That is why three chords can carry an entire song.
vi is the relative minor, Am in C. It shares two notes with the I chord, so it can stand in for home while adding a darker color. Adding vi to the three main chords gives the four-chord loops that fill pop radio. ii (Dm in C) usually leads to V, and iii is used for color. The diminished vii° rarely stays long.
Major and minor progressions
Minor keys have their own numerals. In A minor the chords are Am (i), Bdim (ii°), C (III), Dm (iv), Em (v), F (VI), G (VII). Here i is minor, and the major chords sit on III, VI and VII, which gives minor keys their big, open rock and film sound.
The v chord in a natural minor key is minor (Em in A minor) and pulls home only gently. Most music in minor keys raises one note to turn it into a major V: E, with G♯ borrowed from the harmonic minor scale. Listen to the difference.
How to transpose a progression
To play a progression in another key, keep the numerals and use that key's chords. I–V–vi–IV is C – G – Am – F in C, G – D – Em – C in G, and D – A – Bm – G in D. Every chord moves by the same distance, so the progression sounds the same, only higher or lower.
Singers change key to fit their range. Guitarists often choose keys with open chords (C, G, D, A and E major, and A, E and D minor) or use a capo to play easy shapes in a harder key. The player at the top of this page and the chord transposer do the arithmetic for you. The circle of fifths shows why I, IV and V always sit side by side.
All 14 progressions
10 major-key and 4 minor-key progressions, shown in C major or A minor. Tap Play to hear each one, or open it to play it in any key with guitar and piano shapes.
| Progression | Nickname | Chords | |
|---|---|---|---|
| I–V–vi–IV | the pop progression | C – G – Am – F (C major) | |
| I–IV–V | the three-chord progression | C – F – G – C (C major) | |
| I–vi–IV–V | the 50s progression | C – Am – F – G (C major) | |
| ii–V–I | the jazz cadence | Dm7 – G7 – Cmaj7 – Cmaj7 (C major) | |
| vi–IV–I–V | the minor-feel pop loop | Am – F – C – G (C major) | |
| I–IV–vi–V | the lift | C – F – Am – G (C major) | |
| I–vi–ii–V | the turnaround | C – Am – Dm – G (C major) | |
| I–iii–IV–V | the stepwise climb | C – Em – F – G (C major) | |
| I–V–vi–iii–IV–I–IV–V | the Canon progression | C – G – Am – Em – F – C – F – G (C major) | |
| I7–IV7–V7 (12 bars) | the 12-bar blues | C7 – C7 – C7 – C7 – F7 – F7 – C7 – C7 – G7 – F7 – C7 – G7 (C major) | |
| i–VI–III–VII | the minor anthem | Am – F – C – G (A minor) | |
| i–iv–V | the minor cadence | Am – Dm – E – Am (A minor) | |
| i–VII–VI–V | the Andalusian cadence | Am – G – F – E (A minor) | |
| i–VII–VI–VII | the epic minor loop | Am – G – F – G (A minor) |
How to practice progressions
- Learn the chords of one key first. G major works well on guitar, C major on piano.
- Loop a four-chord progression slowly, four beats per chord, with a metronome.
- Change chords on beat one without stopping, even if the new chord is not clean yet.
- Play the same numerals in a second key and listen for what stays the same.
- Try reordering the four chords. vi–IV–I–V uses the same chords as I–V–vi–IV but starts in a darker place.
- Save and share your own sequence in the progression builder.
Need the chord shapes? Guitar chords for beginners · Piano chords for beginners · Ukulele chords for beginners · Chords in every key
Chord progression questions
What is the most common chord progression?
I–V–vi–IV is the most common in modern pop, and I–IV–V is the most common in blues, rock and folk. In C major they are C – G – Am – F and C – F – G – C.
What do the Roman numerals in chord progressions mean?
Each numeral is a note of the scale, and the chord built on it. I is the first note, IV the fourth, V the fifth. Capital numerals are major chords, lowercase are minor, and a small circle (°) marks a diminished chord.
How do I change a progression to another key?
Keep the numerals and swap in the chords of the new key. I–V–vi–IV is C – G – Am – F in C and G – D – Em – C in G. The chord transposer does this for a whole chart, and every player on this site has a key menu.
Can two songs use the same chord progression?
Yes, and thousands do. A progression is a short, common pattern, like a sentence structure. Melody, rhythm, tempo and arrangement are what make songs sound different from each other.
What chord progression sounds sad?
Progressions that start on a minor chord lean sad or serious: vi–IV–I–V in a major key, or i–VI–III–VII in a minor key (Am – F – C – G in A minor). Slower tempos and softer playing push them further.
How many chords do I need to know to play most progressions?
Four or five in one key. With the I, IV, V and vi chords of a key you can play I–IV–V, I–V–vi–IV, I–vi–IV–V, vi–IV–I–V and I–IV–vi–V. In G major on guitar that means G, C, D and Em.
Every progression on this page is realized by the site's theory engine from its numerals. Updated September 2026.