Chords in the key of F
The key of F major has seven chords: F · Gm · Am · B♭ · C · Dm · Edim. Tap any chord to hear it.
Keys lit: the F major scale. Tap a chord to light its notes.
The F major chord chart
| Degree | Triad | Notes | 7th chord | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | F | F A C | Fmaj7 (Imaj7) | Tonic: home |
| ii | Gm | G B♭ D | Gm7 (ii7) | Pre-dominant |
| iii | Am | A C E | Am7 (iii7) | Tonic substitute |
| IV | B♭ | B♭ D F | B♭maj7 (IVmaj7) | Subdominant |
| V | C | C E G | C7 (V7) | Dominant: pulls home |
| vi | Dm | D F A | Dm7 (vi7) | Relative minor |
| vii° | Edim | E G B♭ | Em7♭5 (viiø7) | Leading-tone chord |
Key of F at a glance
- Scale: F G A B♭ C D E
- Key signature: 1 flat (B♭)
- Major chords: F, B♭, C
- Minor chords: Gm, Am, Dm
- Diminished: Edim
- Relative minor: D minor
The pattern of chord qualities is the same in every major key: major, minor, minor, major, major, minor, diminished. It comes from stacking every other note of the scale on each degree.
Common progressions in F
| Progression | Chords in F | Play |
|---|---|---|
| I–V–vi–IV (pop) | F – C – Dm – B♭ | |
| I–IV–V (rock and folk) | F – B♭ – C – F | |
| I–vi–IV–V (50s) | F – Dm – B♭ – C | |
| ii–V–I (jazz) | Gm – C – F – F | |
| vi–IV–I–V (sensitive) | Dm – B♭ – F – C |
More ideas by mood: pop, sad and jazz chord progressions, or loop your own in the chord progression generator.
Other keys
Questions
What chords are in the key of F?
The key of F major has seven chords: F, Gm, Am, B♭, C, Dm, Edim. In Roman numerals that is I, ii, iii, IV, V, vi and vii°.
What are the I, IV and V chords in F?
F (I), B♭ (IV) and C (V). These three major chords can harmonise most simple melodies in F major.
What is the relative minor of F major?
D minor. It uses the same notes and key signature (1 flat), starting on the sixth degree, D.
What notes are in the F major scale?
F, G, A, B♭, C, D, E, then F again an octave higher.