Circle of Fifths
Interactive circle of fifths: key signatures, scales, chords and relative minors.
About this tool
Tap any key on the wheel to see its key signature, its relative minor, the correctly spelled major scale, the seven chords in the key with Roman numerals, and its neighbouring keys. Play the scale or any of the chords. The selected key and its neighbours are highlighted. Nothing is stored.
How the circle of fifths works
The circle of fifths arranges the 12 major keys so that each step clockwise moves up a perfect fifth (seven semitones): C, G, D, A, E, B, F♯. Each step adds one sharp to the key signature. Going anticlockwise moves up a perfect fourth (C, F, B♭, E♭, A♭, D♭) and adds one flat. Sharps always appear in the order F♯ C♯ G♯ D♯ A♯ E♯ B♯, and flats in the reverse order, B♭ E♭ A♭ D♭ G♭ C♭ F♭. Each major key shares its signature with a relative minor three semitones below, shown on the inner ring: A minor with C major, E minor with G major. Musicians use the circle to read key signatures quickly, to find the chords in a key (the keys either side of the tonic give the IV and V chords), to transpose, and to modulate smoothly: neighbouring keys differ by only one note, so moving between them sounds natural. Many progressions, such as ii–V–I, move anticlockwise around the circle. Honest limits: F♯ and G♭, D♭ and C♯, and B and C♭ are enharmonic pairs (the same pitches spelled differently), and the wheel shows the more common spelling. Sound may need a tap first on some phones. The chord progression generator, the chord transposer and the virtual piano are related.
Frequently asked questions
What is the circle of fifths?
A diagram of the 12 keys arranged in fifths. Clockwise adds a sharp and anticlockwise adds a flat.
How do I find the relative minor?
It's on the inner ring, three semitones below the major key: A minor for C major, E minor for G major.
What order do sharps and flats go in?
Sharps: F C G D A E B. Flats: B E A D G C F.
Is anything stored?
No. Nothing is saved or sent.