Diatonic Chord Chart for All 12 Major Keys
Need to know which chords fit a key? This chart lists the diatonic triads for all 12 major keys, and the tool lets you hear how each one sounds.
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Diatonic Chord Chart: All 12 Major Keys
This reference lists all seven diatonic chords for each of the 12 major keys. It’s meant to be skimmed, not memorized — bookmark it and come back when you need to check a key.
Hear it first
A chart is easier to trust once you’ve heard a row of it.
- Open the Diatonic Chord Tool
- Pick a key you actually play in, like G or D
- Tap through its seven chords from left to right
- Compare them against that key’s row in the table below
Reading and hearing the same row at once is what makes the chart stick. The shapes on the page start to carry a sound.
How to Read This Chart
Columns are the seven diatonic degrees: I, IIm, IIIm, IV, V, VIm, VIIdim.
| Key | I | IIm | IIIm | IV | V | VIm | VIIdim |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | C | Dm | Em | F | G | Am | Bdim |
| G | G | Am | Bm | C | D | Em | F#dim |
| D | D | Em | F#m | G | A | Bm | C#dim |
| A | A | Bm | C#m | D | E | F#m | G#dim |
| E | E | F#m | G#m | A | B | C#m | D#dim |
| B | B | C#m | D#m | E | F# | G#m | A#dim |
| F#/Gb | F# | G#m | A#m | B | C# | D#m | E#dim |
| Db | Db | Ebm | Fm | Gb | Ab | Bbm | Cdim |
| Ab | Ab | Bbm | Cm | Db | Eb | Fm | Gdim |
| Eb | Eb | Fm | Gm | Ab | Bb | Cm | Ddim |
| Bb | Bb | Cm | Dm | Eb | F | Gm | Adim |
| F | F | Gm | Am | Bb | C | Dm | Edim |
Tips for Using This Chart
- Don’t memorize it row by row. Learn the pattern (M-m-m-M-M-m-dim) and apply it to any root.
- Start with one key you play in and get fluent with just those seven chords.
- Think in degree names (I, IV, V). They transfer across keys instantly, where chord names don’t.
What to try next
Cover the chart and try to fill in one key from memory using the M-m-m-M-M-m-dim pattern. Then open the tool, play that key, and check yourself. Repeat with a key that has more sharps or flats — that’s where the pattern really earns its keep.
Try With Sound
Put theory into practice
Use the related tool to play everything covered in this article. Hearing it alongside reading helps it stick.
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