๐ผ Circle of Fifths
View the circle of fifths, a fundamental music theory diagram. Select a key to see its key signature (number of sharps or flats) and relative minor.
How to use
- Click a key to select it.
- That keyโs major key name, relative minor, and key signature (number of sharps/flats) are shown.
How the calculation works
The circle of fifths arranges the 12 keys a perfect fifth (7 semitones) apart. Going clockwise from C, through G, D, A and so on, each step adds one sharp to the key signature; going anticlockwise, through F, Bโญ, Eโญ and so on, each step adds one flat. Choose a key to see its major key signature and its relative minor, the minor key with the same signature. The relative minor is a minor 3rd (3 semitones) below the major keyโs tonic. Neighbouring keys differ by only one sharp or flat, so they are โcloseโ keys that are easy to modulate between. In chord progressions, moving anticlockwise (G โ C, D โ G) is a natural way to resolve.
Worked example
C major: no sharps or flats, relative minor A minor G major: 1 sharp (F#), relative minor E minor D major: 2 sharps (F#, C#), relative minor B minor F major: 1 flat (Bโญ), relative minor D minor Eโญ major: 3 flats, relative minor C minor Order of sharps: F C G D A E B Order of flats: B E A D G C F (the reverse)
Things to be aware of
- At the bottom of the circle, F# (6 sharps) and Gโญ (6 flats) are two spellings of the same key. This tool shows the sharp side.
- To find a songโs key, count the key signature, check it on the circle, and use the final chord to tell the major key from its relative minor.
- Guitarists often find sharp keys such as G, D, A and E easiest; wind players often prefer flat keys such as F, Bโญ and Eโญ.
FAQ
What is the circle of fifths?
A circular diagram arranging notes a perfect fifth apart, used as a fundamental music theory tool to visualize each keyโs signature and the relationships between nearby keys.
What is a relative minor?
A minor key that shares the same key signature as a major key. For example, C major (no sharps/flats) has A minor as its relative minor.
Why does G come after C?
The circle of fifths is built by stacking notes a perfect fifth (7 semitones) apart. A perfect fifth above C is G. Repeating this step 12 times returns to C.