Interactive circle of fifths

The circle of fifths arranges all twelve major and minor keys by fifths and shows how many sharps or flats each key has. Tap a key to see its key signature, relative key, neighbors, scale and the diatonic chords.

Source: Wikipedia – Circle of fifths. Updated: 6 October 2026.

How it is calculated

Each step clockwise on the circle of fifths goes up a perfect fifth and adds one sharp; each step counterclockwise goes down a fifth and adds one flat. Major keys sit on the outer ring, their relative minors on the inner ring.

How to read the circle

Key signature: C major has none, G major one sharp (F♯), D major two (F♯, C♯), F major one flat (B♭). Sharps appear in the order F C G D A E B, flats in the order B E A D G C F.
Relative key: a major and a minor key at the same position share a key signature. A minor is the relative minor of C major, a minor third below.
Neighbors: the keys left and right are closely related. The key to the right is the dominant, the one to the left the subdominant – with the tonic they give the three main chords of a piece.
Diatonic chords: every scale degree carries a triad. In a major key, I, IV and V are major, ii, iii and vi are minor and vii° is diminished.

Enharmonic keys

At the bottom the sharp and flat keys overlap: F♯ major (6 sharps) sounds the same as G♭ major (6 flats). The tool shows the more common spelling, and each scale is spelled correctly with every letter name used once.

Useful next steps: the scale finder, guitar chords with fingering diagrams, a metronome for practice and the guitar tuner.

Frequently asked questions

Which chord progressions fit a key?

Below the circle you find common progressions for the selected key, such as I – V – vi – IV (in C major: C – G – Am – F), I – IV – V and ii – V – I. In minor they include i – VI – III – VII and i – iv – v. Press ▶ to hear any of them.

How do the modes relate to the circle of fifths?

The seven modes of one position share a key signature and simply start on different notes: with no sharps or flats they are C Ionian, D Dorian, E Phrygian, F Lydian, G Mixolydian, A Aeolian and B Locrian. The list is under “Modes with the same key signature”.

How many sharps or flats does each key have?

Pick the key on the circle and the number is shown below it. To memorize: C major has none, each fifth up adds a sharp (G 1, D 2, A 3, E 4, B 5), each fifth down adds a flat (F 1, B♭ 2, E♭ 3, A♭ 4, D♭ 5).

What is a relative minor?

The minor key that shares its key signature with a major key, and the other way round. It starts a minor third (three semitones) below the major tonic: A minor for C major, E minor for G major.

What is the circle of fifths used for?

Finding a key from its key signature, transposing, choosing closely related keys for modulation and building chord progressions. The dominant and subdominant always sit right next to the tonic.

Why is it F♯ major and not G♭ major?

They sound identical (enharmonic equivalents). Which spelling is used depends on the piece; with six accidentals both are common.

Which chords belong to a key?

The table lists the seven diatonic triads, one per scale degree. In C major they are C, Dm, Em, F, G, Am and B°.

Sources and legal basis

As of: 6 October 2026 · Editorial policy