What is the circle of fifths?
The circle of fifths arranges twelve musical key positions around a circle. Moving clockwise raises the tonic by a perfect fifth; moving counterclockwise raises it by a perfect fourth.
Interactive Circle of Fifths
A circle of fifths is a map of musical keys and their shared key signatures. Select a large-label major key to explore its relative minor and neighbors, hear a tonic, or print a classroom chart.
Free, no signup required. Key choices stay in your browser.
Circle of fifths
Clockwise: up a perfect fifth. Counterclockwise: up a perfect fourth.
Major keys
12 positions
12 positions
F♯ and G♭ share a pitch in equal temperament, with different written signatures.
| Major | Relative minor | Signature |
|---|---|---|
| C | A | No sharps or flats |
| G | E | 1 sharp: F♯ |
| D | B | 2 sharps: F♯ C♯ |
| A | F♯ | 3 sharps: F♯ C♯ G♯ |
| E | C♯ | 4 sharps: F♯ C♯ G♯ D♯ |
| B | G♯ | 5 sharps: F♯ C♯ G♯ D♯ A♯ |
| F♯ | D♯ | 6 sharps: F♯ C♯ G♯ D♯ A♯ E♯ |
| G♭ | E♭ | 6 flats: B♭ E♭ A♭ D♭ G♭ C♭ |
| D♭ | B♭ | 5 flats: B♭ E♭ A♭ D♭ G♭ |
| A♭ | F | 4 flats: B♭ E♭ A♭ D♭ |
| E♭ | C | 3 flats: B♭ E♭ A♭ |
| B♭ | G | 2 flats: B♭ E♭ |
| F | D | 1 flat: B♭ |
SPED Lesson Planner · spedlessonplanner.com/tools/circle-of-fifths
Selected major key
C major
C major
Relative minor: A minor
No sharps or flats
- Counterclockwise neighbor (fourth)
- F major
- Clockwise neighbor (fifth)
- G major
A short, gentle tone plays only when pressed. Check device volume first.
Keyboard: Tab to a key and press Enter or Space. Each key uses a text label and a selected border; color is optional.
How to use this chart
- Select a major key. Click a key on the circle, or reach it with Tab and press Enter or Space.
- Read the relationships. Read the relative minor, key signature, and clockwise and counterclockwise neighbors. Optionally hear its tonic.
- Print a classroom chart. Choose a labeled reference or blank practice chart, then press Print and use your browser's print dialog.
The chart uses common major-key spellings. F♯ / G♭ appears together at the bottom. Other enharmonic spellings such as C♯ major and C♭ major are outside this simplified chart. Minor labels refer to natural-minor key signatures.
Adapt music lessons to your students
Start with one key, read its text relationships together, and use the blank chart for guided practice. SPED Lesson Planner helps teachers create lesson drafts from IEP goals and accommodations.
Explore SPED Lesson PlannerCircle of fifths questions
How do I find a relative minor?
A relative minor shares its key signature with a major key. Its tonic is three semitones below the major tonic: C major and A minor both have no sharps or flats.
Why are F sharp and G flat in the same position?
F sharp and G flat sound at the same pitch in twelve-tone equal temperament. F sharp major has six sharps, while G flat major has six flats. Their written notes and relative minors differ.
Can I print a blank circle of fifths for students?
Yes. Select Blank practice chart, then Print blank chart. The print view removes the selected-key answers and reference table. Leave the option unchecked to print the labeled circle with its key-signature reference.
Does the circle play sound automatically?
No. Press Hear selected tonic to play one short tone at the selected major key's tonic. Audio uses your browser and may be unavailable on some devices; the chart and print views work without sound.