Select a root note and scale type to see notes, intervals, piano visualization, and hear the scale.
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This tool provides a complete reference for 14 music scale types across all 12 keys. Whether you are composing, improvising, or studying music theory, use this interactive reference to quickly look up any scale.
Photo by jordan besson / Pexels
- Major (Ionian) — The most common scale: W-W-H-W-W-W-H. Bright, happy sound.
- Natural Minor (Aeolian) — W-H-W-W-H-W-W. Sad, melancholic character.
- Harmonic Minor — Raised 7th degree creates an augmented 2nd interval and a leading tone.
- Melodic Minor — Raised 6th and 7th ascending. Used extensively in jazz.
- Pentatonic Major — Five-note scale removing the 4th and 7th degrees. Universal in folk music.
- Pentatonic Minor — Five-note minor scale. Foundation of blues and rock guitar.
- Blues — Pentatonic minor plus the flat 5th "blue note."
- Dorian — Minor scale with a raised 6th. Common in jazz and funk.
- Mixolydian — Major scale with a flat 7th. Used in rock, blues, and folk.
- Phrygian — Minor scale with a flat 2nd. Spanish and flamenco flavor.
- Lydian — Major scale with a raised 4th. Dreamy, floating quality.
- Locrian — Diminished scale with flat 2nd and flat 5th. Unstable, rarely used as tonal center.
- Whole Tone — Six notes, all whole steps. Symmetrical, ambiguous tonality.
- Chromatic — All 12 semitones. Every note in Western music.
How to Use
Select a root note (C through B, including sharps/flats) and a scale type from the dropdowns. The tool displays every note in the scale, the interval formula, and highlights the notes on a two-octave piano keyboard. Click "Play Scale" to hear the ascending scale using synthesized tones.
Photo by jordan besson / Pexels
Intervals are measured in half steps (semitones). W = whole step (2 semitones), H = half step (1 semitone). The interval pattern defines a scale's unique character and mood.