Chord Progression Generator

Pick a key and one of the classic progressions to get the actual chords — Roman numerals, chord symbols, and the notes in each. Switch between major and minor to hear how the same pattern changes colour.

See more patterns in the chord progressions reference, or look up any chord's notes with the chord finder.

How it works

Progressions are written in Roman numerals, which describe function rather than specific chords — so the same progression transposes to any key.

major key:  I  ii  iii  IV  V  vi  vii°
minor key:  i  ii°  III  iv  v   VI  VII

uppercase = major · lowercase = minor · ° = diminished

The chords come from harmonising each degree of the scale in thirds.

Worked example

• I–V–vi–IV in C = C, G, Am, F — the most-used progression in popular music
• ii–V–I in C = Dm7, G7, Cmaj7 — the backbone of jazz harmony
• i–VI–III–VII in A minor = Am, F, C, G
• I–IV–V in C = C, F, G — blues and rock and roll

In practice

• V wants to resolve to I. The leading tone and the flat seventh both pull toward the tonic, which is what makes dominant chords feel unfinished.
• vi substitutes for I. They share two notes, so swapping them changes the colour without breaking the function — the basis of the deceptive cadence.
• Roman numerals transpose for free. Learn the progression, not the chords, and it works in every key.
• Borrowing from the parallel minor — a ♭VI or ♭VII in a major key — is the cheapest way to add weight to a chorus.

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