Music / Theory
Interactive Circle of Fifths: Keys, Signatures, and Chords
Click any key on the circle of fifths to see its key signature, its major scale spelled correctly, its relative minor, and the seven chords of the key with their Roman numerals, and play the scale and each chord.
Interactive Circle of Fifths: Keys, Signatures, and Chords: Moving clockwise, each key is a perfect fifth higher and adds a sharp; anticlockwise, each adds a flat. Scales are spelled with one letter per degree, so F♯ major is F♯ G♯ A♯ B C♯ D♯ E♯, not F instead of E♯. The chords follow the major-key pattern I, ii, iii, IV, V, vi, vii°: in G that is G, Am, Bm, C, D, Em, and F♯°. Runs 100% locally in your browser with zero server file uploads.
- Category
- Everyday tools
- Runs
- In your browser
- Cost
- Free · no sign-up
- Availability
- Ready to use
Runs entirely in your browser
C major and A minor
Key signature: no sharps or flats
Scale: C D E F G A B
| Degree | Chord | Notes | Play |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | C | C–E–G | |
| ii | Dm | D–F–A | |
| iii | Em | E–G–B | |
| IV | F | F–A–C | |
| V | G | G–B–D | |
| vi | Am | A–C–E | |
| vii° | B° | B–D–F |
Neighbours: F and G, one sharp or flat away; the I, IV, and V chords are the three major keys side by side on the wheel.
Going clockwise, each key is a perfect fifth above the last and adds one sharp; anticlockwise, each is a fifth below and adds one flat. The inner ring shows each major key's relative minor, which shares its key signature. At the bottom, F♯ and G♭ (and B and C♭, D♭ and C♯) are the same keys spelled two ways.
Order of sharps and flats
Sharps are added in the order F, C, G, D, A, E, B, and flats in the reverse order B, E, A, D, G, C, F, which is why the last sharp in a signature is a semitone below the key's name.
Hearing intervals
To learn to recognise fifths, thirds, and chord types by ear, practise with ear training.
How to use it
- Click a key on the outer ring.
- Read its key signature, scale, and relative minor.
- Play the scale and the chords in the table.
Privacy & limitations
Runs in your browser.
Related tools
Frequently asked questions
How do I use the circle to find chords?
The I, IV, and V chords of a key sit side by side on the outer ring, and the ii, iii, and vi chords are the minor keys just inside them: the six most used chords of any key are in one slice of the circle.
What is a relative minor?
The minor key that shares a major key's signature, starting on its sixth note: A minor for C major, E minor for G major.
Why are some keys written two ways?
F♯ and G♭ major sound the same on a piano but are spelled with six sharps or six flats; music uses whichever is easier to read.
Free tool · runs in your browser · no account required