Guide · Music theory

Common chord progressions, with the chords in the easy keys

A chord progression is the order of chords in a song. The most common one in pop is I-V-vi-IV (in C: C, G, Am, F). Others you will hear everywhere are I-IV-V, vi-IV-I-V, I-vi-IV-V and the 12-bar blues. Write them as numbers and you can play them in any key.

Updated 20 Oct 2026

The numbers, and the chords in five keys

Chords are numbered by where they sit on the major scale: I is the first chord, V is the fifth, and so on. Capital numerals are major chords and lower case are minor. Here are the six main chords in the easiest guitar keys:

Key	I	ii	iii	IV	V	vi
C	C	Dm	Em	F	G	Am
G	G	Am	Bm	C	D	Em
D	D	Em	F#m	G	A	Bm
A	A	Bm	C#m	D	E	F#m
E	E	F#m	G#m	A	B	C#m

For any other key, use the key and capo chart, or the Nashville Number System to write songs as numbers.

The progressions you hear most

Progression	Numbers	In C	In G	In D	In A	In E
The pop progression	I-V-vi-IV	C G Am F	G D Em C	D A Bm G	A E F#m D	E B C#m A
Same chords, minor start	vi-IV-I-V	Am F C G	Em C G D	Bm G D A	F#m D A E	C#m A E B
The three chord song	I-IV-V	C F G	G C D	D G A	A D E	E A B
The 50s progression	I-vi-IV-V	C Am F G	G Em C D	D Bm G A	A F#m D E	E C#m A B
Jazz cadence	ii-V-I	Dm G C	Am D G	Em A D	Bm E A	F#m B E

Songs that use them

I-V-vi-IV: Let It Be and No Woman, No Cry.
vi-IV-I-V: Despacito, in B minor.
I-IV-V: Twist and Shout.
I-vi-IV-V: Stand By Me.
ii-V-I: Autumn Leaves, and a large part of jazz.

Songs are often tweaked with an extra chord or a different key, so check by ear against the key you are in.

The 12-bar blues

The 12-bar blues is a fixed pattern of twelve bars using only I, IV and V:

| I  | I  | I  | I  |
| IV | IV | I  | I  |
| V  | IV | I  | I  |

In A that is A, D and E. Rock and roll, blues and country all use it. A common variation puts the V in the last bar as a turnaround.

Minor progressions

Progression	Numbers	In A minor
The minor pop progression	i-VI-III-VII	Am F C G
Andalusian cadence	i-VII-VI-V	Am G F E
Minor three chord	i-iv-v	Am Dm Em

Capital Roman numerals here are major chords built on the notes of the natural minor scale: VI is F, III is C, VII is G. The Andalusian cadence ends on a major V (E) in most arrangements.

How to use a progression

Pick the key that suits the singer. Find it in the table or use the capo chart.
Play the progression slowly and hum a melody over it. Change the order if you want to.
Change one thing. Swap one chord, hold one longer, or start on a different chord. That is how a familiar pattern becomes yours.
Write it down. Put the chords in the lyrics box with the key and tempo on the song.

Keep the chords with the song

In songdrafts the key is a field on the song, and the lyrics box keeps your spaces, so on a computer you can write chords above the words and they stay lined up. Every take of the song stacks on one card, so the progression you landed on sits next to the take that has it.

Common questions

What is the most common chord progression?

I-V-vi-IV. In the key of C that is C, G, Am, F.

How many chords does a song need?

Three is enough: I, IV and V. Many hit songs use four.

What does I-IV-V mean?

The chords built on the first, fourth and fifth notes of the major scale. In C: C, F, G.

What is a turnaround?

A short chord pattern at the end of a section that leads back to the start. In the blues it is often the last two bars.

Is it ok to use the same progression as another song?

Generally yes. Chord progressions are common property. What makes a song yours is the melody and the words.

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