Chord Progressions

A chord progression is a sequence of chords. Roman numerals name each chord by its place in the key, so one progression works in every key. The best-known, I–V–vi–IV, is C–G–Am–F in C major and G–D–Em–C in G major.

By Dan Vrancic, music theory teacher · Reviewed October 2026

Roman numerals: chords by their place in the key

Build a triad on each note of a major scale and you get the key's seven chords. A Roman numeral names each one by the degree of its root: upper case for major, lower case for minor, and ° for diminished.

NumeralIiiiiiIVVvivii°
Qualitymajorminorminormajormajorminordiminished
C majorCDmEmFGAmB°
G majorGAmBmCDEmF♯°
D majorDEmF♯mGABmC♯°
F majorFGmAmB♭CDmE°

The pattern I ii iii IV V vi vii° is the same in every major key. Learn a progression by its numerals and you can play it in any key.

I–V–vi–IV: the four-chord loop

In C major, I–V–vi–IV is C–G–Am–F. Countless pop songs repeat it as a loop: when the F chord ends, the progression steps straight back to C and starts again.

I–V–vi–IV in C major. Each chord moves to the next by the smallest steps it can.

Each chord has a job. I states home, V builds tension, vi shares two notes with I and stands in for it, and IV moves away. Because the loop ends on IV rather than a cadence, the next C sounds like a fresh start, not an ending, so the loop can repeat for a whole song.

The same progression in any key

Moving a progression to another key is transposition. The numerals stay the same and every letter moves with the key. Each chord keeps its quality: ii, iii and vi are minor in every major key.

KeyI–V–vi–IV
C majorC – G – Am – F
G majorG – D – Em – C
D majorD – A – Bm – G
F majorF – C – Dm – B♭
The same loop in G major: G–D–Em–C.

Common chord progressions

ProgressionIn C majorWhat it is
I–V–vi–IVC–G–Am–FThe four-chord pop loop
vi–IV–I–VAm–F–C–GThe same four chords started on Am, with a minor feel
I–vi–IV–VC–Am–F–GThe 1950s progression; it ends on V, which pulls back to I
ii–V–IDm–G–CThe most common ending in jazz
I–IV–V–IC–F–G–CThe primary chords, ending with a cadence

Ends on IV

I–V–vi–IV

Ending on IV keeps the loop open and relaxed.

Ends on V

I–vi–IV–V

Ending on V gives a strong pull back to the tonic.

I–vi–IV–V in C major, ending on the dominant.

Roots falling by fifths

In C major, ii–V–I–IV–vii°–iii–vi (Dm–G–C–F–B°–Em–Am) is the descending-fifth progression. Each root falls a 5th to the next; F to B is the only diminished 5th, and every other fall is a Perfect 5th. Its first three chords, ii–V–I, make a strong ending in any style.

Falling fifths in C major: every root lands a 5th below the last.

How to work out a song's progression

  1. Find the tonic

    Listen for where the music feels at rest, and check the key signature.

  2. Spell the chords

    Name the notes of each chord, including any sharps or flats.

  3. Write the numerals

    Number each chord by its root's place in the key, and match the case to its quality.

  4. Move it

    Play the same numerals in another key, checking each chord's quality.

Try it: name the progression

Progression 1 of 4

In D major: what is the numeral for D?

  1. D
  2. A
  3. Bm
  4. G

See it step by step

The interactive explainer from Lesson 27, with sound. Step through it at your own pace.

Practice on paper

Free printable worksheets on this topic, each with an answer key.

Chord progression worksheets with answer keys

Questions about chord progressions

What is the most common chord progression?
I–V–vi–IV, the four-chord loop behind countless pop songs. In C major it is C–G–Am–F; in G major, G–D–Em–C.
What do the Roman numerals in a chord progression mean?
Each numeral is the scale degree of the chord’s root. Upper case means a major chord, lower case a minor chord, and ° a diminished chord. In a major key the chords are I ii iii IV V vi vii°.
What are the chords in C major?
C (I), Dm (ii), Em (iii), F (IV), G (V), Am (vi) and B° (vii°).
What is a ii–V–I progression?
The chords on the 2nd, 5th and 1st degrees of a key: Dm–G–C in C major. Each root falls a 5th to the next, and it is the most common ending in jazz.
How do you play a chord progression in another key?
Keep the Roman numerals and build each chord in the new key. I–V–vi–IV in D major is D–A–Bm–G. Each chord keeps its quality, so vi is always minor in a major key.
What is the 1950s progression?
I–vi–IV–V: C–Am–F–G in C major. It uses the same four chords as I–V–vi–IV in a different order, ending on V, which pulls back to I.
What chords are in a minor key?
In natural minor: i ii° III iv v VI VII, so in A minor, Am–B°–C–Dm–Em–F–G. Many pieces raise the 7th note, which makes v a major V (E in A minor) for a stronger pull home.
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In the course: Lesson 19: Diatonic Triads, Lesson 26: Basic Harmonic Analysis, Lesson 27: Popular Chord Progressions