Circle of Fifths
The complete interactive music theory reference — explore keys, chords, key signatures, and harmonic relationships.
Select any key
Click a segment on the circle to see its diatonic chords, key signature, relative minor, and common progressions.
What Is the Circle of Fifths?
The circle of fifths is a visual diagram that arranges the 12 musical keys in a circle, with each key a perfect fifth apart from its neighbors. Moving clockwise raises the key by a fifth and adds one sharp to the key signature. Moving counter-clockwise lowers the key by a fifth and adds one flat. It's one of the most powerful tools in music theory for understanding key relationships, chord progressions, and harmonic movement, and it's used by guitarists, pianists, composers, and songwriters at every level.
Key Signatures on the Circle of Fifths
Each key on the circle of fifths has a unique key signature: a set of sharps or flats that define the notes in that scale. C major sits at the top with no sharps or flats. Moving clockwise adds one sharp per step: G (1♯), D (2♯), A (3♯), E (4♯), B (5♯), F♯ (6♯). Moving counter-clockwise adds one flat per step: F (1♭), B♭ (2♭), E♭ (3♭), A♭ (4♭), D♭ (5♭), G♭ (6♭). The sharps and flats at the bottom of the circle overlap. F♯ major and G♭ major are enharmonically equivalent, sharing the same pitches written two different ways.
Major and Minor Keys
Every major key has a relative minor key that shares the same notes and key signature. The inner ring of the circle shows these relative minors. For example, C major and A minor both use no sharps or flats, making them relative keys. The relative minor is always built on the sixth scale degree of its major key, a minor third (3 semitones) below the major tonic. Understanding this relationship makes it easy to move between a major feel and a minor feel in a song without changing chord shapes or key signature.
How to Use the Circle of Fifths for Guitar
Guitarists use the circle of fifths to find which chords naturally belong together, determine the key of a song by ear, and build interesting chord progressions. Adjacent keys on the circle share the most chords in common. A song in G major, for example, draws heavily from the same chords as its neighbors D major and C major, which is why the I–IV–V progression (G–C–D) sounds so natural. Chord substitutions, borrowed chords, and key changes all become intuitive once you understand the circle. Click any key in the diagram above to explore its diatonic chords and see how it connects to its neighbors.
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