Reference chart

The Circle of Fifths

Every key signature, notated. Major keys in dark red around the outside, their relative minors in green within, and accidental counts between them. Click any key to hear its scale and chords below.

Major keys Minor keys Your selection

The circle of fifths arranges all twelve musical keys by perfect fifths: each step clockwise adds one sharp (C, G, D, A, E, B, F♯), each step counter-clockwise adds one flat (F, B♭, E♭, A♭, D♭, G♭, C♭). Every major key shares its signature with a relative minor three semitones below. This interactive version requires JavaScript to render the notation and play scales and chords.

Key

Scale

Diatonic chords — click to hear

Triads built on each scale degree. Uppercase numerals are major, lowercase minor, ° diminished.

All 15 key signatures

Signature	Major	Minor	Accidentals

B/C♭, F♯/G♭, and C♯/D♭ are the same sounding keys spelled two ways — both signatures are drawn on the chart.