Circle of Fifths — Click a Key to See Its Signature, Relative Key, and Chords
An interactive circle of fifths showing all 12 major keys. Click any key to instantly see its key signature (number of sharps/flats), relative minor, and diatonic chords.
All 12 keys: signatures and relative minors
| Key (major) | Key signature | Relative minor |
|---|---|---|
| C | No sharps or flats | Am |
| G | ♯1 | Em |
| D | ♯2 | Bm |
| A | ♯3 | F#m |
| E | ♯4 | C#m |
| B | ♯5 | G#m |
| F#/Gb | ♯6 / ♭6 | D#m/Ebm |
| Db | ♭5 | Bbm |
| Ab | ♭4 | Fm |
| Eb | ♭3 | Cm |
| Bb | ♭2 | Gm |
| F | ♭1 | Dm |
F# and Gb are enharmonic equivalents (the same pitch spelled two ways), so they are shown together as a single slot for convenience.
Usage Tips
- Starting at C at the top (12 o'clock) and moving clockwise adds one sharp per step; moving counter-clockwise adds one flat per step.
- The outer ring shows major keys, and the inner ring at the same angle shows the relative minor. Learning major/minor pairs together makes key signatures much easier to memorize.
- Neighboring keys share many common tones, so when modulating during composition or improvisation, try moving to an adjacent key first for a smoother transition.
- In the diatonic chords table, uppercase Roman numerals (I, IV, V) are major chords, lowercase (ii, iii, vi) are minor chords, and vii° is a diminished triad.
- Some keys, like F# and Gb, have two valid spellings for the same pitch (enharmonic equivalents); in practice, the spelling with fewer accidentals is usually preferred.
Frequently Asked Questions
Side Note — Why the Circle of Fifths Moves in Fifths
The circle of fifths is arranged so that each step moves up a perfect fifth (for example, from C to G) to reach the next key. A perfect fifth is a highly consonant interval with a frequency ratio close to 2:3, so neighboring keys on the circle share many common tones (and chords), which is the practical reason this arrangement became standard — modulating between adjacent keys tends to sound smooth rather than jarring.
Going clockwise around the circle once adds one sharp at each step, reaching a midpoint of 6 sharps (or equivalently 6 flats) at F# (or Gb); continuing further, the number of flats then decreases step by step until arriving back at C after 12 steps. This is the combined result of equal temperament dividing the octave into 12 equal semitones, and the near-mathematical coincidence that stacking twelve perfect fifths lands almost exactly back on the starting pitch (with a tiny discrepancy known as the Pythagorean comma).
The circle of fifths isn't just a memorization aid — it's a practical tool used in composition and arranging. The classic pop chord progression I-V-vi-IV (for example, C-G-Am-F in the key of C) is built from the primary triads of four adjacent keys on the circle, which helps visualize the underlying structure of a chord progression.