Free Music Tool
Key & Scale Finder
Select the notes you're playing to instantly find your key, matching scales, and compatible chords.
Select Your Notes
Tap the notes you hear in your song or chord progression
Select at least 3 notes to find your key
The more notes you select, the more accurate the results
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How to Use the Key & Scale Finder
Finding the key of a song is one of the most fundamental skills in music. Whether you're a songwriter trying to build a chord progression, a guitarist learning a new song by ear, or a producer arranging a track, knowing your key unlocks everything — from which chords sound right to which notes you can solo over.
To use this tool, simply tap or click the notes you can identify in the song or piece you're working with. The tool compares your selection against all major and natural minor scales and ranks the best matches by how many of your selected notes fit within each scale.
What Key Am I In?
A key is a group of notes that form the foundation of a piece of music. Every key has a root note (also called the tonic) and a scale — a specific pattern of intervals from that root. The two most common scale types are major (bright, happy-sounding) and minor (darker, more emotional).
Understanding Diatonic Chords
Once you know your key, you also know which chords naturally belong to it. These are called diatonic chords — chords built using only the notes from your scale. In a major key, the chord pattern is:
- I — Major (the "home" chord)
- ii — Minor
- iii — Minor
- IV — Major
- V — Major
- vi — Minor (the relative minor)
- vii° — Diminished
For example, in the key of C major, the diatonic chords are: C, Dm, Em, F, G, Am, and Bdim. Most popular songs use some combination of these chords.
Tips for Finding Your Key
- Start by identifying the note the song resolves to — this is usually your root.
- Listen for the bass notes — they often outline the key.
- The first and last chord of a song is frequently the tonic chord.
- If you hear a bright, uplifting feel, try major keys first. For darker, emotional music, start with minor.
- Select at least 5 notes for the most accurate results.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find what key a song is in?
Select the notes you hear or play in the song using the note buttons above. The tool analyzes your selection against all major and minor scales to find the best match. Start by identifying the note the melody resolves to — that's usually the root of your key.
What is the difference between a major and minor key?
Major keys sound bright, happy, and uplifting, while minor keys sound darker, sadder, or more emotional. Technically, they differ in their interval patterns: major scales follow W-W-H-W-W-W-H, while natural minor scales follow W-H-W-W-H-W-W (W = whole step, H = half step).
What chords go together in a key?
Each key has a set of diatonic chords built on each scale degree. In a major key: I (major), ii (minor), iii (minor), IV (major), V (major), vi (minor), vii° (diminished). For example, in C major: C, Dm, Em, F, G, Am, Bdim. These chords all sound "right" together because they share the same notes.
Can I use this tool for any instrument?
Yes. Keys and scales are universal in Western music. Whether you play guitar, piano, bass, violin, saxophone, or any other instrument, the same 12 notes and scale relationships apply. Simply select the notes you're playing regardless of your instrument.