Circle of Fifths
This circle of fifths is an interactive wheel of all twelve keys. Click a key to see its signature, scale, relative minor and the seven chords that belong to it — and hear them played, right in your browser.
Click any wedge on the wheel — the outer ring is major keys, the inner ring their relative minors.
No sharps or flats
Scale Diatonic chords tap to hearHow the Circle of Fifths works
The circle of fifths lays out all twelve keys in a ring so their relationships are easy to see. Step clockwise and the tonic rises by a perfect fifth while the signature gains a sharp; step counter-clockwise and it gains a flat. Neighbouring keys differ by just one accidental, which is why they share so many notes and chords. Click a key to reveal its signature, its major scale, and the seven diatonic chords — the raw material of most songs — then press Play scale or tap a chord to hear it. Switch to the inner ring for the relative minor. Take a voicing to the Online Piano, name a shape with the Chord Finder, or keep time with the Metronome.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the circle of fifths?
The circle of fifths is a diagram that arranges the twelve musical keys in a ring. Moving one step clockwise raises the tonic by a perfect fifth and adds one sharp to the key signature; moving counter-clockwise adds one flat. C major sits at the top with no sharps or flats, and each neighbouring key differs by only a single accidental, so the circle shows at a glance how keys relate to one another.
How do I use the circle of fifths to find a key signature?
Read a key signature off the circle of fifths by counting steps from C. Each step clockwise (C, G, D, A, E, B) adds a sharp, so D major — two steps clockwise — has two sharps (F♯ and C♯). Each step counter-clockwise (C, F, B♭, E♭) adds a flat, so E♭ major — three steps counter-clockwise — has three flats. Here the outer ring labels every key and clicking one shows its full signature instantly.
What are relative major and minor keys?
A relative major and minor share the same key signature but start on different notes. The relative minor sits three semitones below the major tonic — A minor is the relative minor of C major, and both use no sharps or flats. On the wheel the inner ring shows each key's relative minor directly beneath its major, so you can switch between them with one click.
How do I find the chords in a key?
Every major key contains seven diatonic chords built on its scale degrees: I, ii, iii, IV, V, vi and vii°. In C major that is C, Dm, Em, F, G, Am and B°. This tool lists all seven for whichever key you select and lets you tap each one to hear it, or play the popular I–V–vi–IV progression with a single button.
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