A scale is a set of notes arranged in order within an octave. Each scale type has a fixed pattern of steps: the major scale goes whole–whole–half–whole–whole–whole–half (2, 2, 1, 2, 2, 2, 1 semitones), the natural minor whole–half–whole–whole–half–whole–whole. Apply the pattern to any starting note and you have that scale in any key.
Musicians often describe scales by a numeric formula instead: the degrees of the major scale, with ♭ or ♯ where the scale differs. Natural minor is 1, 2, ♭3, 4, 5, ♭6, ♭7; the minor pentatonic is 1, ♭3, 4, 5, ♭7. The formula is also what gives correct spelling: in a seven-note scale every letter appears once, so F♯ harmonic minor contains E♯, not F.
The calculator covers the common scales (major, minors, pentatonics, blues), the modes (Ionian to Locrian), jazz scales (bebop, altered, diminished, Lydian dominant), world and exotic scales (Hungarian minor, Hirajōshi, Persian, double harmonic) and symmetric scales (whole tone, chromatic, augmented). Choose what to display: the notes, the pattern, the formula or everything.
How to use the Music Scale Calculator
- Root note
- Scale
- Display
Everything is calculated in your browser, so results appear instantly and nothing you type is sent to a server.
How it works
Each degree of the formula moves the root up the matching number of letter names and semitones, so every note is spelled from the scale’s structure. The pattern is the number of semitones from each note to the next, ending with the octave; W and H mark whole and half steps.
Worked example
F♯ harmonic minor has the formula 1, 2, ♭3, 4, 5, ♭6, 7. The F♯ major scale is F♯, G♯, A♯, B, C♯, D♯, E♯; lowering the 3rd and 6th gives F♯, G♯, A, B, C♯, D, E♯, F♯. Its semitone pattern is 2, 1, 2, 2, 1, 3, 1 – the 3-semitone step (augmented second) between D and E♯ is the scale’s signature sound.
Patterns of common scales
| Scale | Semitone pattern | Formula |
|---|---|---|
| Major | 2 2 1 2 2 2 1 | 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 |
| Natural minor | 2 1 2 2 1 2 2 | 1 2 ♭3 4 5 ♭6 ♭7 |
| Harmonic minor | 2 1 2 2 1 3 1 | 1 2 ♭3 4 5 ♭6 7 |
| Melodic minor | 2 1 2 2 2 2 1 | 1 2 ♭3 4 5 6 7 |
| Major pentatonic | 2 2 3 2 3 | 1 2 3 5 6 |
| Minor pentatonic | 3 2 2 3 2 | 1 ♭3 4 5 ♭7 |
| Blues | 3 2 1 1 3 2 | 1 ♭3 4 ♭5 5 ♭7 |
| Dorian | 2 1 2 2 2 1 2 | 1 2 ♭3 4 5 6 ♭7 |
| Mixolydian | 2 2 1 2 2 1 2 | 1 2 3 4 5 6 ♭7 |
| Whole tone | 2 2 2 2 2 2 | 1 2 3 ♯4 ♯5 ♭7 |
Formula
Scale notes = root + scale formula (degrees of the root’s major scale)
Semitone pattern = differences between consecutive notes, summing to 12
Major: 2 2 1 2 2 2 1 · natural minor: 2 1 2 2 1 2 2
Worked example
Inputs — Root note: F♯; Scale: Common – Harmonic minor; Display: Everything.
Results — Notes = F♯, G♯, A, B, C♯, D, E♯, F♯; Semitone pattern = 2, 1, 2, 2, 1, 3, 1; Numeric formula = 1, 2, ♭3, 4, 5, ♭6, 7, 8; Steps (W = whole, H = half) = W – H – W – W – H – W+H – H; Intervals above the root = P1, M2, m3, P4, P5, m6, M7; Scale = F♯ harmonic minor.
Key terms
- Scale degree
- The position of a note in a scale (1st = tonic, 5th = dominant …).
- Whole step / half step
- Two semitones / one semitone.
- Mode
- A scale formed by starting another scale on a different degree.
- Pentatonic
- A five-note scale.
- Tonic
- The first note and home of the scale.
Frequently asked questions
What are the notes of the A major scale?
A, B, C♯, D, E, F♯, G♯, A – the pattern 2, 2, 1, 2, 2, 2, 1 from A.
What are the notes of C minor?
Natural minor: C, D, E♭, F, G, A♭, B♭, C (formula 1, 2, ♭3, 4, 5, ♭6, ♭7).
What is the difference between harmonic and melodic minor?
Harmonic minor raises the 7th (1 2 ♭3 4 5 ♭6 7); melodic minor raises the 6th and 7th going up (1 2 ♭3 4 5 6 7).
What notes are in the A minor pentatonic?
A, C, D, E, G – the most used scale for rock and blues guitar solos.
What is the blues scale in E?
E, G, A, B♭, B, D – the minor pentatonic plus the “blue note” ♭5.
Why does F♯ harmonic minor contain E♯ and not F?
Each letter appears once in a seven-note scale; the 7th degree of F♯ must be an E, raised to E♯.
What are the modes of the major scale?
Ionian, Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Aeolian and Locrian – the major scale started on each of its seven degrees.