What chords are in the key of C Major?

The key of C Major uses C, Dm, Em, F, G, Am. Those six cover almost every song written in C Major; the seventh, a diminished chord on the leading note, turns up far more rarely.

How many sharps or flats does C Major have?

C Major has no sharps or flats — every note is natural, which is why it is usually the first key people learn.

What is the relative minor of C Major?

A Minor — it shares the same notes and the same key signature as C Major, just centred on a different home chord. Songs slip between the two all the time.

What capo position is best for C Major?

None needed. C Major already falls under easy open shapes, so you can play it straight through with no capo.

Chords in the Key of C Major

C Major is built from C, Dm, Em, F, G, Am and carries no sharps or flats in its key signature. It sits comfortably under open chords, so no capo is needed.

The 6 chords of C Major

Tap any diagram for a full fingering guide for that chord.

Chord numbers and numerals

Roman numerals are how theory writes a key; Nashville numbers are how session players call one on stage. Both say the same thing — the chord's position in the key, independent of which key you end up in.

Numeral	Nashville	Chord in C Major	Role
I	1	C	Home chord (tonic)
ii	2m	Dm	Sets up the V
iii	3m	Em	Gentle, wistful
IV	4	F	Subdominant
V	5	G	Dominant — pulls home
vi	6m	Am	Relative minor

More on this in the Nashville number system guide.

Common progressions in C Major

The same handful of progressions carry most of popular music. Here they are written out in this key.

The four-chord song

I – V – vi – IV

The most-used progression in modern pop and worship. If a song feels instantly familiar, it is usually this.

C→G→Am→F

The three-chord trick

I – IV – V

Folk, blues, country and early rock live here. Three chords and the truth.

C→F→G

The sensitive rotation

vi – IV – I – V

The same four chords starting on the relative minor, which makes it feel wistful rather than triumphant.

Am→F→C→G

The '50s progression

I – vi – IV – V

Doo-wop and slow-dance ballads — think of any song with a swung 6/8 feel.

C→Am→F→G

The jazz cadence

ii – V – I

The strongest resolution in tonal music, and the backbone of jazz standards.

Dm→G→C

Playing C Major on guitar

How hard this key is has nothing to do with the music and everything to do with where the notes fall on the neck.

C Major is one of the guitar-friendly keys. Its chords land on open shapes, which is why so many songs get written in it — the instrument nudges you there.

Its relative minor is A Minor — same notes, same key signature, different centre of gravity. The parallel key, C Minor, keeps the same home note but flips the mood; borrowing a chord from it is one of the oldest tricks for making a chorus land.

Move a song into or out of C Major

If C Major does not fit the singer, these pages show exactly which chord becomes which.

Frequently asked questions

What chords are in the key of C Major?: The key of C Major uses C, Dm, Em, F, G, Am. Those six cover almost every song written in C Major; the seventh, a diminished chord on the leading note, turns up far more rarely.
How many sharps or flats does C Major have?: C Major has no sharps or flats — every note is natural, which is why it is usually the first key people learn.
What is the relative minor of C Major?: A Minor — it shares the same notes and the same key signature as C Major, just centred on a different home chord. Songs slip between the two all the time.
What capo position is best for C Major?: None needed. C Major already falls under easy open shapes, so you can play it straight through with no capo.

Have a chart in C Major?

Upload the PDF or a photo and move every chord to whatever key you need — the layout stays exactly as printed, capo banner included.

Transpose a chart Capo for C Major