How to read the circle of fifths
C major sits at the top, with no sharps or flats. Moving clockwise, each key is a perfect fifth higher (C → G → D → A…) and adds a sharp. Moving the other way, each step is a fourth (C → F → B♭ → E♭…) and adds a flat. At the bottom, F♯ and G♭ meet: they sound the same.
The inner ring shows the relative minor of each major key: A minor below C major, E minor below G major, and so on. The two share a key signature and notes; only the note they center on changes.
What it's for
- Find a key's signature: each step clockwise adds a sharp; each step counterclockwise adds a flat.
- Find the relative minor: it sits right below the major key, on the inner ring, and shares all its notes.
- Work out a song's chords: the key and its two neighbors (IV and V), plus their three relative minors, are the six main chords in that key.
- Understand progressions: the jazz ii–V–I and many cadences move counterclockwise, fifth by fifth.
- Transpose and modulate: neighboring keys share almost all their notes, so moving from one to the other sounds natural.
- Organize your scale practice: start on C and move up one key per week, adding one accidental at a time.
Table of keys and key signatures
| Major key | Relative minor | Key signature |
|---|---|---|
| C major | A natural minor | no sharps or flats |
| G major | E natural minor | 1 sharp (F♯) |
| D major | B natural minor | 2 sharps (F♯, C♯) |
| A major | F♯ natural minor | 3 sharps (F♯, C♯, G♯) |
| E major | C♯ natural minor | 4 sharps (F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯) |
| B major | G♯ natural minor | 5 sharps (F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯, A♯) |
| F♯ major | D♯ natural minor | 6 sharps (F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯, A♯, E♯) |
| D♭ major | B♭ natural minor | 5 flats (B♭, E♭, A♭, D♭, G♭) |
| A♭ major | F natural minor | 4 flats (B♭, E♭, A♭, D♭) |
| E♭ major | C natural minor | 3 flats (B♭, E♭, A♭) |
| B♭ major | G natural minor | 2 flats (B♭, E♭) |
| F major | D natural minor | 1 flat (B♭) |
Tricks to memorize it
- Order of sharps: F, C, G, D, A, E, B. The order of flats is the same in reverse: B, E, A, D, G, C, F.
- With sharps, the tonic is a half step above the last sharp (last sharp C♯ → D major).
- With flats, the second-to-last flat gives you the name of the key (B♭, E♭ → B♭ major).
- For the relative minor, go down a minor third from the major tonic (C → A).
Frequently asked questions
What is the circle of fifths?
It's a diagram that arranges the 12 major keys (and their relative minors) so that each one is a perfect fifth above the previous one: C, G, D, A, E, B, F♯… That way you can see at a glance how many sharps or flats each key has and which keys are closely related.
How do you use the circle of fifths on guitar?
To know which chords go together: pick the song's key and take that chord, its two neighbors (IV and V) and the three minor chords below them. For example, in G major: G, C, D, Em, Am and Bm. It also helps you transpose a song to a key that's more comfortable to sing in.
What is the order of sharps and flats?
Sharps: F, C, G, D, A, E, B. Flats: the same order in reverse (B, E, A, D, G, C, F). Trick: in sharp keys, the tonic is a half step above the last sharp; in flat keys, the second-to-last flat is the name of the key (except F major, which has only one).
Why are F♯ and G♭ in the same spot?
Because they sound the same: they are enharmonic keys. F♯ major uses 6 sharps and G♭ major uses 6 flats. The same applies to D♭/C♯ and B/C♭: in practice, use the spelling with fewer accidentals or the one required by the score.
How is the circle of fifths related to fourths?
It's the same circle traveled in reverse: counterclockwise, each key is a fourth above the previous one (C, F, B♭, E♭…). That's why some people call it the circle of fourths and fifths.