Chords in the key of G major
The key of G major has one sharp (F♯). Its seven chords are G, Am, Bm, C, D, Em and F♯dim. Tap any of them, or play them in order.
Tap a numeral to hear one chord; tap a shape to open it.
The chords that do most of the work
Most songs in G major live on four chords: G, C, D and Em. Am is the usual way into D, Bm adds a softer color, and F♯dim, the diminished chord, mostly appears as a passing chord.
Key signature
G major has one sharp (F♯), written at the start of every line so you don't have to mark it on each note. Sharp keys add one sharp per step clockwise around the circle of fifths: G major sits between C major and D major.
The notes of the key are the G major scale: G A B C D E F♯. Relative minor: E minor (same notes). Parallel minor: G minor (same starting note).
Progressions in G major
The progression player below starts in G major. Change the key to hear the same pattern anywhere; the numerals stay the same.
In G major, 4 beats per chord. Open in the progression builder
- IG
- VD
- viEm
- IVC
| Progression | In G major | |
|---|---|---|
| I–V–vi–IV the pop progression | G – D – Em – C | |
| I–IV–V the three-chord progression | G – C – D – G | |
| I–vi–IV–V the 50s progression | G – Em – C – D | |
| ii–V–I the jazz cadence | Am7 – D7 – Gmaj7 – Gmaj7 | |
| vi–IV–I–V the minor-feel pop loop | Em – C – G – D | |
| I–IV–vi–V the lift | G – C – Em – D | |
| I–vi–ii–V the turnaround | G – Em – Am – D | |
| I–iii–IV–V the stepwise climb | G – Bm – C – D | |
| I–V–vi–iii–IV–I–IV–V the Canon progression | G – D – Em – Bm – C – G – C – D | |
| I7–IV7–V7 (12 bars) the 12-bar blues | G7 – G7 – G7 – G7 – C7 – C7 – G7 – G7 – D7 – C7 – G7 – D7 |
Secondary dominants in G major
Any chord in G major can get its own V7. It isn't in the key, but it points straight at the chord that follows.
- V7 of ii
- V7 of iii
- V7 of IV
- V7 of V
- V7 of vi
Chords borrowed from the parallel key
Major-key songs often darken for a moment by taking chords from G minor: Cm (iv), E♭ (♭VI), F (♭VII) and B♭ (♭III). The minor iv (Cm) is the classic bittersweet move before returning to G.
Seventh chords in G major
Stack one more third on each triad for the seventh chords: Gmaj7, Am7, Bm7, Cmaj7, D7, Em7 and F♯m7♭5. D7 is the only dominant seventh, which is why it pulls so strongly to G.
Playing in G major on guitar
G major is one of the open-chord keys: G, Am, C, D and Em all use open strings, and only Bm and F♯dim need a barre or a partial barre.
Transpose a chord chart · How a capo works
Other keys
Key of G major: questions
What chords are in the key of G major?
G, Am, Bm, C, D, Em and F♯dim. As numerals: I = G, ii = Am, iii = Bm, IV = C, V = D, vi = Em, vii° = F♯dim.
How many sharps or flats are in G major?
One sharp (F♯).
What is the relative minor of G major?
E minor. The two keys share all seven notes.
What are the I, IV and V chords in G major?
G (I), C (IV) and D (V).
How do I play in G major on guitar with a capo?
You don't need one: G major uses open chord shapes directly.
Chord spellings follow the key signature of G major; all of them are checked automatically. Updated September 2026.