Nashville NumbersCheat SheetFree Nashville Number System reference for guitar, bass, piano & worship teams
| Number | Note | Chord |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | C | C MajorTonic |
| 2 | D | D minSupertonic |
| 3 | E | E minMediant |
| 4 | F | F MajorSubdominant |
| 5 | G | G MajorDominant |
| 6 | A | A minSubmediant |
| 7 | B | B dimLeading Tone |
Major Chords
1, 4, 5 (I, IV, V)
Minor Chords
2, 3, 6 (ii, iii, vi)
Diminished
7 (vii°)
What is the Nashville Number System?
The Nashville Number System is a method of writing music using numbers instead of chord names. Instead of “C – F – G,” you write “1 – 4 – 5” — making it easy to transpose songs to any key instantly. Developed in Nashville’s recording studios in the 1950s, it’s now used worldwide by worship teams, session musicians, guitar, bass, and piano players, music directors, and anyone who needs to communicate chord progressions quickly.
This free chart lets you look up any Nashville number in all 12 keys. Select a key from the menu, and the chart shows every number with its note and chord quality.
The 7 Scale Degrees
Every major key has 7 chords with predictable qualities. The pattern is the same in every key — 1, 4, 5 are always major; 2, 3, 6 are always minor; 7 is diminished.
| # | Degree | Quality | Roman | In C |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tonic | Major | I | C |
| 2 | Supertonic | Minor | ii | Dm |
| 3 | Mediant | Minor | iii | Em |
| 4 | Subdominant | Major | IV | F |
| 5 | Dominant | Major | V | G |
| 6 | Submediant | Minor | vi | Am |
| 7 | Leading Tone | Diminished | vii° | Bdim |
The progression “1 – 4 – 5” works in every key: C–F–G in C, G–C–D in G, E–A–B in E. Use the chart above to see any progression in any key.
Common Progressions
Most songs use a handful of patterns. Learn these by number and you can play thousands of songs in any key.
Try these in different keys using the chart above. See progressions with song examples →