Rhyme Scheme Types Explained

AABB — Couplet Rhyme

Two consecutive lines rhyme, then the next two lines rhyme. Creates a strong, decisive feeling. Very common in hip-hop and nursery rhymes.

Best for: Fast-paced rap verses, children's songs, emphatic statements

ABAB — Alternating Rhyme

First and third lines rhyme, second and fourth lines rhyme. Creates a balanced, flowing pattern. The most common rhyme scheme in pop and rock.

Best for: Pop choruses, ballads, story-driven verses

ABCB — Simple Rhyme

Only the second and fourth lines rhyme. Creates a loose, conversational feel. Common in country, folk, and blues.

Best for: Story songs, conversational verses, folk music

XAXA — Free/Sparse Rhyme

Only even lines rhyme, odd lines are free (X means no rhyme). Creates a relaxed, natural flow. Popular in modern pop and indie music.

Best for: Laid-back verses, indie/alternative styles

AABA — Three-Line Repeat

Three lines with the same rhyme, then a different rhyme. Creates emphasis through repetition. Common in blues and jazz.

Best for: Blues, jazz, building tension before a payoff

AAAA — Monorhyme

All lines end with the same rhyme. Creates a hypnotic, driving effect. Used in hip-hop for rapid-fire flows.

Best for: Aggressive rap verses, building intensity

Hip-Hop & Rap

Hip-hop uses complex, multi-layered rhyme schemes. Beyond end rhymes, rappers use internal rhymes, multi-syllable rhymes, and compound rhymes. Common patterns include AABB for punchy punchlines and AAAA for sustained flows. Advanced rappers layer multiple rhyme schemes simultaneously.

Pop Music

Pop favors simple, memorable patterns. ABAB is the most common, creating a balanced, singable flow. Choruses often use AABB or repeat the same line 2-4 times. The focus is on clarity and catchiness over complexity.

Country & Folk

Country and folk often use ABCB or XAXA, creating a conversational, storytelling feel. These looser rhyme schemes let the narrative flow naturally without forcing rhymes. The emphasis is on the story, not the rhyme pattern.

Rock & Alternative

Rock uses a mix of patterns, from tight AABB in punk to loose XAXA in alternative. Verses might use subtle near rhymes or no rhymes at all, while choruses employ stronger ABAB or AABB patterns to create memorable hooks.

Step 1: Write Out the Lyrics

Copy the section you want to analyze (verse, chorus, etc.) line by line. Make sure each line is on its own row.

Step 2: Label the First Line "A"

Put the letter "A" next to the first line. Any other line that rhymes with it also gets "A".

Step 3: Move to the Next Non-Rhyming Line

When you encounter a line that doesn't rhyme with "A", label it "B". Any line that rhymes with it also gets "B".

Step 4: Continue the Pattern

Keep going with C, D, E, etc. for each new rhyme sound. If a line doesn't rhyme with anything, label it X (or skip the letter).

Step 5: Identify the Pattern

Read your labels in order. ABAB, AABB, XAXA, etc. That's your rhyme scheme. Use our Rhyme Scheme Analyzer to do this automatically.

Internal Rhymes

Rhymes that occur within a line, not just at the end. Creates flow and complexity.

Multi-Syllable Rhymes

Rhyming multiple syllables instead of just one. Common in hip-hop.

Compound Rhymes

Rhyming multiple words together to create a rhyme.

Assonance & Consonance

Repeating vowel sounds (assonance) or consonant sounds (consonance) to create subtle rhymes and flow. Used heavily in modern rap and poetry.

What is a rhyme scheme?

A rhyme scheme is the pattern of rhymes at the end of each line in a poem or song. It uses letters (A, B, C, etc.) to label which lines rhyme with each other. Lines that rhyme share the same letter.

How do you identify a rhyme scheme?

To identify a rhyme scheme, assign the letter "A" to the first line. Any line that rhymes with it also gets "A". Give the next non-rhyming line "B", and so on. For example, if lines 1 and 3 rhyme, and lines 2 and 4 rhyme, the pattern is ABAB.

What is the most common rhyme scheme in songs?

ABAB (alternating rhyme) and AABB (couplet rhyme) are the most common in popular music. ABAB creates a balanced, flowing feel, while AABB delivers quick, punchy rhyme pairs. Hip-hop often uses more complex internal rhyme schemes beyond these basic patterns.

Do all songs need a rhyme scheme?

No, songs don't need strict rhyme schemes. Many successful songs use free verse, near rhymes, or no rhymes at all. However, rhyme schemes help create structure, memorability, and flow, which is why most popular songs use them to some degree.

What is an ABAB rhyme scheme?

ABAB is an alternating rhyme scheme where the first and third lines rhyme with each other, and the second and fourth lines rhyme with each other. It's very common in pop, rock, and country music because it creates a balanced, satisfying pattern.

Can you mix rhyme schemes in one song?

Absolutely! Many songs use different rhyme schemes in different sections. For example, verses might use ABAB while the chorus uses AABB. Mixing schemes adds variety and can emphasize different parts of your song.