Chords in the Key of D Major

The key of D major has 7 chords: D, Em, F♯m, G, A, Bm and C♯°. Play them, see them with 7ths and numbers, and try common progressions.

D major: 2 sharps (F♯ C♯)

Scale: D E F♯ G A B C♯ · Relative minor: B minor

The 7 chords in the key of D major. Press a chord to hear it.
ChordRomanNashvilleFunction
I1tonic
ii2mpredominant
iii3mtonic or dominant
IV4predominant
V5dominant
vi6mtonic
vii°7°dominant

Common progressions in D major

  • I–IV–V–ID G A D
  • I–V–vi–IVD A Bm G
  • vi–IV–I–VBm G D A
  • I–vi–IV–VD Bm G A
  • ii–V–IEm7 A7 Dmaj7
  • I–IV–vi–VD G Bm A
  • I–iii–IV–ivD F♯m G Gm
  • I–♭VII–IV–ID C G D
  • 12-bar bluesD7 D7 D7 D7 G7 G7 D7 D7 A7 G7 D7 A7
  • I–vi–ii–VD Bm Em A
  • I–IV–I–VD G D A
  • IV–V–iii–viG A F♯m Bm

Guitar chords in D major

  • D I · xx0232
    D guitar chord: xx0232132
  • Em ii · 022000
    Em guitar chord: 02200023
  • F♯m iii · 244222
    F♯m guitar chord: 244222134
  • G IV · 320003
    G guitar chord: 320003213
  • A V · x02220
    A guitar chord: x02220123
  • Bm vi · x24432
    Bm guitar chord: x244321342
  • C♯° vii° · x42x23
    C♯° guitar chord: x42x234123

Key signature and scale

D major has 2 sharps (F♯, C♯). The D major scale is D – E – F♯ – G – A – B – C♯.

Its relative minor is B minor: same signature, same chords, a different home chord. Next to it on the circle of fifths are A major (one more sharp or one less flat) and G major (one more flat or one less sharp); songs often move to these keys.

Progressions in D major

ProgressionIn D major
I–IV–V–ID G A D
I–V–vi–IVD A Bm G
vi–IV–I–VBm G D A
I–vi–IV–VD Bm G A

Press Play in the tool above to hear them, or Transpose to move a progression to another key. Need these chords in another key? Use the transposition chart.

Chords in other keys

Frequently asked questions

What chords are in the key of D major?

The seven chords are D, Em, F♯m, G, A, Bm and C♯° (I, ii, iii, IV, V, vi, vii°).

How many sharps or flats does D major have?

D major has 2 sharps: F♯, C♯. Its scale is D E F♯ G A B C♯.

What is the relative minor of D major?

B minor. The two keys share the same key signature and the same seven chords; they differ in which chord feels like home.

Which chords in D major are hard on guitar, and can a capo help?

Played without a capo the main chords are D, G, A, Bm. With a capo on fret 7 you can play G shapes instead: G, C, D, Em, and it still sounds in D major.

What is the V chord in D major?

A (or A7 as a 7th chord). It pulls strongly back to D.

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