Keys

The circle of fifths

The circle of fifths puts all 12 keys in a ring. Each step clockwise adds one sharp; each step counterclockwise adds one flat. The inner ring shows each key's relative minor.

CAmGEmDBmAF♯mEC♯mBG♯mF♯D♯mD♭B♭mA♭FmE♭CmB♭GmFDm♯♭

Tap a key

Clockwise adds a sharp, counterclockwise a flat. Inside, each key’s relative minor.

Circle of fifths chart: the 12 major keys around the outside, their relative minors inside, each with its number of sharps or flatsSave this image

How to read the circle of fifths

  • Clockwise, each key is a fifth higher (C, G, D, A…) and has one more sharp.
  • Counterclockwise, each key is a fifth lower (C, F, B♭, E♭…) and has one more flat.
  • The inner ring is the relative minor of each major key: same notes, same key signature (C major and A minor, G major and E minor).
  • At the bottom the two sides meet: F♯ major (6 sharps) and G♭ major (6 flats) sound the same.
C majorNo sharps or flatsA minor
G major1 sharp: F♯E minor
D major2 sharps: F♯, C♯B minor
A major3 sharps: F♯, C♯, G♯F♯ minor
E major4 sharps: F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯C♯ minor
B major5 sharps: F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯, A♯G♯ minor
F♯ major6 sharps: F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯, A♯, E♯D♯ minor
D♭ major5 flats: B♭, E♭, A♭, D♭, G♭B♭ minor
A♭ major4 flats: B♭, E♭, A♭, D♭F minor
E♭ major3 flats: B♭, E♭, A♭C minor
B♭ major2 flats: B♭, E♭G minor
F major1 flat: B♭D minor

How to use it

  • Find the chords of a key. A key's three major chords sit side by side: in C major, F, C and G (IV, I and V). The relative minors under them, Dm, Am and Em, are its minor chords.
  • Write progressions that move. Chords that step counterclockwise around the circle pull toward home: Am, Dm, G, C (vi–ii–V–I) is the classic.
  • Change key smoothly. The keys next to yours share all but one note, so a song can move there without a jolt.
  • Read a key signature. Count the sharps or flats and find that position on the circle.

Why fifths?

From C, count five notes up the scale (C, D, E, F, G) and you reach G, the next key on the circle. Each key's fifth note is the home of the next one. Going the other way, each step is a fourth up, which is why it's also called the circle of fourths.

How to remember the order

  • Sharps: F, C, G, D, A, E, B (*Father Charles Goes Down And Ends Battle*).
  • Flats: the same letters backwards, B, E, A, D, G, C, F (*Battle Ends And Down Goes Charles' Father*).

Song not on your computer? DOT reads it while it plays.

Questions

What is the circle of fifths?

A diagram of all 12 major keys and their relative minors, arranged so each step clockwise is a fifth higher and adds one sharp.

How do you read the circle of fifths?

Start at C at the top. Clockwise, each key adds a sharp; counterclockwise, each adds a flat. The inner ring shows the relative minor.

What is the relative minor on the circle of fifths?

The minor key on the inner ring, three half steps below the major key: A minor for C major, E minor for G major.

Why is it called the circle of fifths?

Each key is a perfect fifth above the one before it (C to G, G to D), and after 12 steps you're back at C.

Piano: Salamander Grand Piano, CC BY 3.0

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