Roman Numeral Analysis
Once you can name chords by their scale degree instead of their letter name, every progression becomes a shape you can recognize — and transpose — in any key.
What is Roman numeral analysis?
Instead of calling a chord "F major," Roman numeral analysis calls it "IV" — the chord built on the 4th degree of the current key. The seven diatonic triads of a major key always follow the same pattern of Roman numerals, no matter what key you're in:
Capital numerals are major chords, lowercase are minor, and the small circle marks the one diminished chord.
Why this matters: transposing by shape
Say a song's progression is I-V-vi-IV. In C major, that's C-G-Am-F. Move the whole song to G major, and the same numerals give you G-D-Em-C — different letters, identical relationships and identical feel. Once you hear a progression's numerals, you can play it in any key without relearning it from scratch.
Common questions
What is Roman numeral analysis?
A system labeling each chord in a key by scale degree (I, ii, iii, IV, V, vi, vii°) instead of letter name, so progressions can be recognized in any key.
Why are some Roman numerals capital and some lowercase?
Capital numerals mark major chords, lowercase mark minor chords, and a lowercase numeral with a small circle marks the one diminished chord.
How do I transpose a progression using Roman numerals?
Build the same numerals from a new key's scale — the letters change, but the numerals and their relationships stay identical.
Do Roman numerals work the same for minor keys?
Minor keys follow their own pattern (i, ii°, III, iv, v, VI, VII), different from major, but the numerals still show the same scale-degree relationships.
See any progression in any key
Melody Monkey visualizes chord progressions on a live guitar, bass, ukulele, or piano — instantly transposed.
Open the progression builder →Still stuck? Ask Your Personal Music Teacher about Roman Numeral Analysis →