What are the chords in the key of A Major?

The seven diatonic chords in the key of A Major are: A, Bm, C#m, D, E, F#m, G#m. These correspond to the Roman numerals I, ii, iii, IV, V, vi, vii.

What are common chord progressions in the key of A Major?

Two of the most popular progressions in A Major are the I–V–vi–IV (A – E – F#m – D) and the I–IV–V–I (A – D – E – A). These appear in countless pop, rock, and folk songs.

Chords in the Key of A Major

The key of A Major contains seven diatonic chords: A, Bm, C#m, D, E, F#m, G#m. Use the interactive generator below to build progressions, hear them played back with drums and accompaniment, and export to MIDI.

Diatonic Chords in A Major

iii

C#m

F#m

vii

G#m

Relative Minor

The relative minor of A Major is Gb Minor. Both keys share the same set of notes and diatonic chords, but centre on a different tonic — making Gb Minor the natural choice for a darker or more melancholic feel.

Modes of A Major

Every mode below is built from the same seven notes as A Major, starting on a different scale degree.

A MajorI – ii – iii – IV – V – vi – vii

B Doriani – ii – III – IV – v – vi – VII

Db Phrygiani – II – III – iv – v – VI – vii

D LydianI – II – iii – iv – V – vi – vii

E MixolydianI – ii – iii – IV – v – vi – VII

Gb Minori – ii – III – iv – v – VI – VII

About A Major

A Major is a brilliant, clear key with three sharps that is popular across a wide range of genres. On guitar, the open A, D, and E chords form a natural I–IV–V relationship, making it a go-to key for rock, country, and blues.

A Major is also a standard tuning reference — orchestras tune to A440 — giving the key a familiar, centred quality. Fiddle tunes, country two-steps, and Irish reels frequently live in A Major because of the open-string resonance on violin.

In pop and rock, A Major offers enough brightness to cut through a mix without the sharpness of higher keys. It sits comfortably in the vocal range of many singers, making it a reliable choice for radio-friendly songwriting.