Chords in the Key of E Major
The key of E major is built on the notes E – F# – G# – A – B – C# – D#. Every chord below is drawn from that scale, so they all sound at home together.
The seven chords in E major
| Numeral | Chord | Notes | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | E | E G# B | Major |
| ii | F#m | F# A C# | Minor |
| iii | G#m | G# B D# | Minor |
| IV | A | A C# E | Major |
| V | B | B D# F# | Major |
| vi | C#m | C# E G# | Minor |
| vii° | D#dim | D# F# A | Diminished |
Seventh chords in E major
Adding the next third on top of each triad gives the seventh chords of the key — the harmonic vocabulary most jazz and soul writing starts from.
| Numeral | Chord | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Imaj7 | Emaj7 | E G# B D# |
| ii7 | F#m7 | F# A C# E |
| iii7 | G#m7 | G# B D# F# |
| IVmaj7 | Amaj7 | A C# E G# |
| V7 | B7 | B D# F# A |
| vi7 | C#m7 | C# E G# B |
| viiø7 | D#m7b5 | D# F# A C# |
Common chord progressions in E major
| Numerals | Chords in E major | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| I – V – vi – IV | E – B – C#m – A | The most common progression in modern pop music. |
| I – IV – V – I | E – A – B – E | The classic three-chord cadence used across blues, folk and rock. |
| ii – V – I | F#m – B – E | The backbone of jazz harmony. |
| vi – IV – I – V | C#m – A – E – B | A softer, minor-flavoured rotation of the pop progression. |
Relative minor key
E major shares all of its notes with C# minor, so switching between the two changes the mood of a piece without changing a single note. See C# minor.
Scale reference
See the full E Major scale for its fingering, key signature, degrees and step pattern.
Other scales for this key: E major pentatonic.
Other keys
Frequently asked questions
What chords are in the key of E major?
The key of E major contains E, F#m, G#m, A, B, C#m, D#dim. These are the triads built on each degree of the E major scale.
What is the relative minor of E major?
The relative minor of E major is C# minor. Both keys use exactly the same notes but resolve to a different tonic.
How many sharps or flats does E major have?
The E major scale is spelled E, F#, G#, A, B, C#, D#, which gives it 4 sharps and 0 flats.