What chords are in the Circle-of-fifths sequence in C major?

In C major the Circle-of-fifths sequence is C – F – Bdim – Em – Am – Dm – G – C. The same numerals give G – C – F♯dim – Bm – Em – Am – D – G in G major; the table above lists all twelve keys.

Circle-of-fifths sequence — Chords in Every Key, Songs & How It Works

StyleKeyInstrumentTempo100 BPMLoop

Circle-of-fifths sequence
I – IV – vii° – iii – vi – ii – V – I
1. C
2. F
3. Bdim
4. Em
5. Am
6. Dm
7. G
8. C
in C major · 2 beats per chord
Pachelbel progression
I – V – vi – iii – IV – I – IV – V
1. C
2. G
3. Am
4. Em
5. F
6. C
7. F
8. G
in C major · 2 beats per chord
Used in: Canon in D (Johann Pachelbel) · Basket Case (Green Day) · Go West (Pet Shop Boys)
Chords in every key →
Authentic cadence
V – I
1. G
2. C
in C major · 4 beats per chord
Chords in every key →
Plagal cadence
IV – I
1. F
2. C
in C major · 4 beats per chord
Chords in every key →
Deceptive cadence
V – vi
1. G
2. Am
in C major · 4 beats per chord
Chords in every key →

Samples: Salamander Grand Piano (CC-BY 3.0)

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Circle-of-fifths sequence — how it works

The Circle-of-fifths sequence visits every diatonic chord in turn with each root a fifth below the last, the strongest possible root motion, so it drives inevitably around the key and home — a baroque favourite.

Each chord lasts 2 beats, so one pass of the 8 chords is 4 bars of 4/4.

In C major the chords are C – F – Bdim – Em – Am – Dm – G – C; in G major they are G – C – F♯dim – Bm – Em – Am – D – G. Press play above to hear the progression, then pick the key that fits your voice or your song and set the tempo you want to practise at.

The Circle-of-fifths sequence in every key

The numerals stay the same; only the chords change. Find your key below, or pick it in the player above to hear it.

Key	Chords
C major	C – F – Bdim – Em – Am – Dm – G – C
D♭ major	D♭ – G♭ – Cdim – Fm – B♭m – E♭m – A♭ – D♭
D major	D – G – C♯dim – F♯m – Bm – Em – A – D
E♭ major	E♭ – A♭ – Ddim – Gm – Cm – Fm – B♭ – E♭
E major	E – A – D♯dim – G♯m – C♯m – F♯m – B – E
F major	F – B♭ – Edim – Am – Dm – Gm – C – F
F♯ major	F♯ – B – E♯dim – A♯m – D♯m – G♯m – C♯ – F♯
G major	G – C – F♯dim – Bm – Em – Am – D – G
A♭ major	A♭ – D♭ – Gdim – Cm – Fm – B♭m – E♭ – A♭
A major	A – D – G♯dim – C♯m – F♯m – Bm – E – A
B♭ major	B♭ – E♭ – Adim – Dm – Gm – Cm – F – B♭
B major	B – E – A♯dim – D♯m – G♯m – C♯m – F♯ – B

Frequently asked questions

What chords are in the Circle-of-fifths sequence in C major?: In C major the Circle-of-fifths sequence is C – F – Bdim – Em – Am – Dm – G – C. The same numerals give G – C – F♯dim – Bm – Em – Am – D – G in G major; the table above lists all twelve keys.
What are the roman numerals for the Circle-of-fifths sequence?: The Circle-of-fifths sequence is I–IV–vii°–iii–vi–ii–V–I — also called the descending fifths sequence. The Circle-of-fifths sequence visits every diatonic chord in turn with each root a fifth below the last, the strongest possible root motion, so it drives inevitably around the key and home — a baroque favourite.
How long is the Circle-of-fifths sequence?: Each chord lasts 2 beats, so one pass of the 8 chords is 4 bars of 4/4.