Chord Progression Generator
Generate common chord progressions in any key. Free online music theory tool for I-IV-V, I-V-vi-IV, and other popular harmonic patterns for songwriting, composition, and learning music theory.
About This Calculator
The Chord Progression Generator helps musicians, songwriters, composers, and music students quickly find the actual chords for any common progression pattern in any key. Whether you are writing a pop song, a jazz standard, a blues riff, or a classical piece, this tool gives you instant access to the harmonic building blocks of Western music.
The calculator is built on standard music theory. In any major key, chords built on each scale degree follow a fixed pattern: the I, IV, and V chords are major; the ii, iii, and vi chords are minor; and the vii chord is diminished. In a natural minor key, the i, iv, and v chords are minor; the III, VI, and VII chords are major; and the ii chord is diminished. When you select a root note and a progression pattern, the calculator applies these quality rules and computes the actual chord name and all its constituent notes using the chromatic scale and standard chord intervals (major: root, major third, perfect fifth; minor: root, minor third, perfect fifth; diminished: root, minor third, diminished fifth).
The tool includes 16 preset progressions covering the most common patterns across all genres: the classic I-IV-V (blues and rock), the ubiquitous I-V-vi-IV pop progression, the fundamental ii-V-I jazz progression, the 12-bar blues, the 50s progression (I-vi-IV-V), the Pachelbel progression, the Andalusian cadence, and several minor key progressions (i-iv-v, i-VI-VII, i-iv-VII). Each progression automatically sets the correct major or minor mode, so you can explore how the same progression sounds in all 12 keys with a single click.
Results show the Roman numeral degree, the actual chord name (e.g., C major, A minor), and the individual notes that make up each chord. A bar chart visualizes the root pitch class of each chord, helping you see the harmonic movement pattern. The URL saves your inputs automatically, making it easy to share specific progressions with bandmates, students, or collaborators.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a chord progression?
A chord progression is a sequence of chords played in order. In Western music, progressions are built from the degrees of a scale and written with Roman numerals. For example, in C major, the I-IV-V progression produces the chords C major, F major, and G major. Chord progressions form the harmonic foundation of songs across all genres from classical to pop to jazz.
What is the I-IV-V progression?
The I-IV-V progression is the most common chord progression in Western music. In the key of C, it is C major (I), F major (IV), and G major (V). This progression is the backbone of blues, rock and roll, country, and countless pop songs. The V chord creates tension that resolves satisfyingly back to the I chord, making it one of the most natural-sounding harmonic movements.
What is the I-V-vi-IV pop progression?
The I-V-vi-IV progression, also called the pop progression, is used in thousands of hit songs including Let It Be by The Beatles, Take On Me by A-ha, With Or Without You by U2, and Someone Like You by Adele. In C major, the chords are C major (I), G major (V), A minor (vi), and F major (IV). The Axis of Awesome comedy group famously demonstrated how many hit songs share this same four-chord progression.
How do I find chords in a key?
For a major scale, the chord qualities follow a fixed pattern: I (major), ii (minor), iii (minor), IV (major), V (major), vi (minor), vii° (diminished). For example, in C major the chords are C major, D minor, E minor, F major, G major, A minor, and B diminished. For a natural minor scale, the pattern is: i (minor), ii° (diminished), III (major), iv (minor), v (minor), VI (major), VII (major).
What are common minor key progressions?
Common minor key progressions include: i-iv-v (e.g., Am-Dm-Em) used in many rock and metal songs, i-VI-VII (e.g., Am-F-G) common in pop and alternative, i-iv-VII (e.g., Am-Dm-G), and the Andalusian cadence i-VII-VI-V (e.g., Am-G-F-E) popular in flamenco and Latin music. The emotional quality of minor progressions is generally darker and more somber than major progressions.
What is the 12-bar blues progression?
The 12-bar blues progression follows the pattern: I-I-I-I-IV-IV-I-I-V-IV-I-V over 12 bars. In the key of C, the chords are C-C-C-C-F-F-C-C-G-F-C-G. This is the fundamental harmonic structure of blues music and has been used in countless rock, jazz, and R&B songs. Many variations exist including the quick-change (V in bar 2), minor blues, and jazz blues with added chord substitutions.
What is a ii-V-I progression in jazz?
The ii-V-I progression is the most important harmonic pattern in jazz music. In C major, it is D minor (ii), G major (V), and C major (I). The ii chord sets up the dominant V chord, which creates strong tension that resolves to the I chord. Jazz musicians frequently add extensions (7ths, 9ths, 13ths) and alterations to these chords. The ii-V-I appears in standards like Autumn Leaves, All the Things You Are, and Tune Up.
How can I use this calculator for songwriting?
Select a root note (key) and a progression pattern to instantly see the actual chord names and their notes. The chord progression generator is ideal for songwriting, composing, or learning music theory. You can transpose any progression to all 12 keys, use the breakdown table to see each chord's constituent notes, and bookmark or share the URL to save specific progressions. Use the results to experiment with different harmonic movements in your music.