How do I find the chords in a key?

Build a triad on each scale degree using only notes from the key. In a major key, the pattern is major, minor, minor, major, major, minor, diminished.

What are diatonic chords?

Diatonic chords are built primarily from the notes of one key. They provide the core harmonic palette before borrowed chords or other chromatic harmony are added.

Why are minor-key chords different in classical and pop harmony?

Classical and jazz harmony often raise the seventh scale degree to create a major V chord with stronger pull, while pop harmony frequently keeps the natural-minor v chord.

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Chords in a Key Calculator

Find the diatonic chords in any major or minor key, compare classical, jazz, and pop conventions, then add chords to the builder to hear and share a complete progression.

Key Root

Mode

Convention

Progression Builder

Add up to eight chords from any chart below, or load a familiar I–V–vi–IV example.

Tempo BPM

Triads

Primary 3-note harmony by scale degree. Use “Add” to send a chord to the builder.

7th Chords

Stacked tertian harmony including the seventh. Click a card to inspect its notes.

Extensions (9, 11, 13)

Usable color tones by degree for this convention.

Modal Interchange

Borrowed harmony from the parallel mode, available to mix into the same progression.

How to Find the Chords in a Key

Diatonic chords are made by stacking notes from one scale. Their quality follows a repeatable pattern, so the same Roman-numeral relationships work in every key.

Major-key chord pattern

I major · ii minor · iii minor · IV major · V major · vi minor · vii° diminished.

Minor-key conventions

Natural minor gives a minor v chord. Classical and jazz practice often raise scale degree 7, creating a major V and diminished vii°.

Borrowed chords

Modal interchange borrows from the parallel key. In major, iv, ♭VI, and ♭VII add color without permanently changing tonic.

Chords in a Key FAQ

What makes a chord diatonic? Its notes come from the current key’s scale. A chromatic note can turn it into a borrowed chord, applied dominant, or another non-diatonic color.

Should I use triads or seventh chords? Triads give the clearest foundation. Seventh chords add smoother connections and richer color, especially in jazz, R&B, and cinematic harmony.

Why do minor-key results change by convention? Classical and jazz harmony often use harmonic minor for a stronger dominant, while many pop progressions preserve natural minor.