Circle of fifths
Tap a key on the wheel. You will see its key signature, relative minor and closest neighbours, and hear its tonic chord.
C major / A minor
- Key signature
- No sharps or flats
- Relative minor
- A minor
- Neighbours
- F major (IV) · G major (V)
- Primary chords
- I C · IV F · V G
Four ways to use the circle of fifths
1. Read key signatures
Count steps clockwise from C to get the number of sharps; anticlockwise for flats. G is one step clockwise: one sharp (F♯). E♭ is three steps anticlockwise: three flats (B♭, E♭, A♭).
2. Find the relative minor
The inner ring shows the minor key sharing each key signature. It is always three semitones below the major tonic: C major and A minor, G major and E minor.
3. Find closely related keys
Neighbouring keys differ by just one sharp or flat, so music modulates to them smoothly. From C, the easiest destinations are G, F and their relative minors, Em and Dm.
4. Build chord progressions
The chords I, IV and V of any major key sit side by side: the key, its left neighbour (IV) and its right neighbour (V). The relative minors of those three give you ii, iii and vi. Most pop progressions use only these six chords.
The order of sharps, F C G D A E B, is simply the circle read clockwise from F; the order of flats is the same list backwards. Learn more on the key signatures page, or hear progressions in chord progression ear training.
Questions
What is the circle of fifths?
The circle of fifths arranges the 12 major keys so each is a perfect fifth above the previous one going clockwise: C, G, D, A, E, B, F♯/G♭, D♭, A♭, E♭, B♭, F. Each clockwise step adds one sharp (or removes one flat) from the key signature.
How do you use the circle of fifths?
Use it to find key signatures, relative minors (shown on the inner ring), closely related keys (the neighbours on either side), and common chord progressions. The chords I, IV and V of any key are the key itself and its two neighbours.
How do I remember the circle of fifths?
Clockwise from C, the sharp keys are G D A E B F♯ C♯, often remembered as “Good Deeds Always Earn Big Favours”. Anticlockwise, the flat keys are F B♭ E♭ A♭ D♭ G♭ C♭. The order of sharps (F C G D A E B) is the circle starting on F.
Why is it called the circle of fifths and not fourths?
It is both. Clockwise, each key is a fifth higher; anticlockwise, each is a fourth higher (a fifth lower). Some teachers call the anticlockwise direction the circle of fourths.
What are enharmonic keys?
Keys that sound the same but are written differently. At the bottom of the circle, F♯ major (6 sharps) equals G♭ major (6 flats), C♯ major equals D♭, and B major equals C♭.