All Diatonic Chords of the Major scale and its Modes

This chart brings all available chord options of the Major scale into a single comprehensive reference, making it a great tool for exploring all harmonic possibilities of the Major scale and its modes.

All chord types are diatonic, meaning they naturally fit your key, no matter which mode you choose. The chart includes triads, 7th, 9th, 11th, 13th, suspended, added-tone, sixth, diminished, half-diminished, as well as chords with color tensions such as b9 and b13—all while staying strictly in key.

This chart is designed as a complete diatonic overview rather than a tool tailored to a single application. Available in two layouts: a single page containing the complete chord vocabulary of the Major scale, and separate pages for each chord family for a more focused view.

How You Can Use This Chart

• Explore all harmonic possibilities available in the Major scale and its modes.
• Understand the chord options available on each scale degree.
• Find new harmonic ideas for songwriting and arranging.
• Understand the relationship between the chords of the parent Major scale and its modes.
• Build richer chord progressions in any Major key or mode.
• Quickly look up scale-degree formulas for all chord types found in the Major scale.
• Substitute basic triads with more colorful voicings.
• Use these chord options as arpeggios when soloing over a progression.
• Build and analyze diatonic chord progressions.
• Just stare at it without a rush, and you'll eventually spot a connection that sparks a new idea to try out.

Chart Features With Practical Learning Benefits

• Complete Diatonic Overview: The chart brings all chord options of the Major Scale into one reference, making it easier to see its harmonic possibilities.
• Practical and Theoretical Reference: Common chord types are presented alongside less frequently used ones, giving you both a practical songwriting reference and a broader view of the complete diatonic chord system.
• Diatonic: Every chord option is built entirely from the notes of the major scale. All chord options naturally fit your key, no matter which mode you choose.
• Compatible Chords: Each column groups chord options that can be used within the same scale-degree position, making it easy to discover harmonically compatible chord choices.
• Instrument-Neutral Design: Because the information is presented using standard chord symbols rather than instrument-specific diagrams, this chart applies to any instrument and offers equal value to performers, arrangers, and composers alike.
• Color-Coded Chord Categories: Major, minor, dominant, diminished, and suspended chords are visually distinct, allowing you to locate them much faster.
• Chord Formula Legend: A dedicated panel on the right breaks down every chord symbol on the chart into its scale-degree formula, helping you understand chord components and construct proper voicings on your instrument.
• Multiple Chord Types: The chart covers triads, 7th, 9th, 11th, 13th, suspended, added-tone, sixth, diminished, half-diminished, as well as chords with color tensions such as b9 and b13. This gives you a broad palette of diatonic chord colors to experiment with.
• Modal Reference: The bottom section shows where each chord appears in every relative mode of the Major scale, helping you understand how the same chords relate to different tonal centers.
• Quick Reference Layout: The entire system fits on a single page, providing an all-in-one map for Major, Minor, and all relative modes.
• Self-Contained: The chart stands on its own with clear header and footer details that give you full context, so you always know exactly what you are looking at, even in printed form.
• Two Layout Options: Chords are available in two visualizations: a single page containing the complete chord vocabulary of the Major scale, and separate pages for each chord family for improved focus and clarity.
• Covers All 12 Keys: Chords are shown without fixed roots, creating a single, universal and transposable reference that works for any key.

List of Chords Featured in the Charts