🎹 Generate your own: open our free Chord Progression Generator, choose Lofi / R&B and 9th chords, then download the MIDI.
Lofi chords sound warm, a little nostalgic and never quite "finished". The secret is borrowed from jazz: 7th and 9th chords, smooth movement and a few classic moves like the ii–V–I. Here are 8 lofi chord progressions you can use right now. Examples are in C major unless noted.
What makes a chord progression sound lofi?
- Extended chords: maj7, m7, 7 and 9 chords instead of plain triads.
- Jazz movement: chords that move by fifths (ii → V → I) feel smooth and inevitable.
- Close voicings: notes packed close together, often without the root (the bass plays it).
- Imperfect sound: Rhodes or soft piano, tape wobble, vinyl crackle, a low-pass filter.
8 lofi chord progressions
1. ii7 – V7 – Imaj7
Dm7 – G7 – Cmaj7. The most important progression in jazz and the backbone of lofi. Hold Cmaj7 for two bars to make it a 4-bar loop.
2. Imaj7 – vi7 – ii7 – V7
Cmaj7 – Am7 – Dm7 – G7. The classic jazz turnaround: it loops endlessly because G7 pulls straight back to Cmaj7.
3. IVmaj7 – iii7 – ii7 – Imaj7
Fmaj7 – Em7 – Dm7 – Cmaj7. A gentle step-down, like walking down stairs. Very chill, very relaxed.
4. IVmaj7 – iv7 – iii7 – vi7
Fmaj7 – Fm7 – Em7 – Am7. The move from Fmaj7 to Fm7 (a chord borrowed from C minor) is pure nostalgia. One of the most emotional lofi moves.
5. ii9 – V9 – Imaj9 – vi9
Dm9 – G9 – Cmaj9 – Am9. Same idea as #1 but with 9th chords: dreamier, softer, more modern.
6. vi9 – ii9 – V9 – Imaj9
Am9 – Dm9 – G9 – Cmaj9. Starts on the sad side (Am) and resolves home. Every chord moves by a fifth.
7. IVmaj7 – ♭VII9 – Imaj7
Fmaj7 – B♭9 – Cmaj7. The "backdoor" resolution: B♭9 is borrowed from C minor and lands on Cmaj7 in a soft, soulful way. Add a fourth bar of Cmaj7 to complete the loop.
8. i9 – iv9 (minor two-chord vamp)
Cm9 – Fm9 (in C minor). Just two chords, two bars each. Moody, hypnotic and perfect under a sample or a vocal chop.
Tips to get the lofi sound
- Tempo: 70–90 BPM.
- Swing: add 55–60% swing to the drums, and nudge some chord hits slightly late.
- Bass: let the bass play the root, and remove the root from the chord voicing.
- Velocity: vary it so the chords sound played, not programmed.
- Effects: low-pass filter around 3–5 kHz, a bit of saturation, tape wobble and vinyl noise.
Transpose them to any key
Keep the Roman numerals and change the key: in F major, ii7 – V7 – Imaj7 becomes Gm7 – C7 – Fmaj7. Or use our Chord Progression Generator: select Lofi / R&B, set Chords to 9ths, pick any key, and every click builds a new jazzy progression you can download as MIDI.
FAQ
What chords are used in lofi?
Mostly 7th and 9th chords (maj7, m7, dominant 7, m9, maj9), arranged in jazz progressions like ii–V–I.
What is the most common lofi chord progression?
The ii–V–I (Dm7 – G7 – Cmaj7 in C) and its variations are by far the most common.
What instrument should I use for lofi chords?
Electric piano (Rhodes or Wurlitzer), soft felt piano or a mellow guitar. Then add tape and vinyl effects.
Want ready-made melodies to go with your chords? ATMOS is packed with lofi and atmospheric loops, each with its matching MIDI file. Learn more about building progressions in How to Write Chord Progressions for Beats.
