Circle of Fifths
Explore music theory visually with this interactive circle of fifths. The diagram shows all 12 major keys on the outer ring and their relative minor keys on the inner ring, arranged by the interval of a perfect fifth. Click any key to instantly see its key signature (number of sharps or flats), relative major or minor key, diatonic chords with Roman numeral analysis, and common chord progressions. Hear the root note and major or minor triad for any selected key via Web Audio playback. Color-coded segments make it easy to identify closely related keys for modulation. An essential reference for songwriters, music students, and anyone learning harmony and key relationships.
Click any key on the circle to see its details
How to Use
- 1
Explore the Circle
View the circular diagram with 12 major keys on the outer ring and their relative minor keys on the inner ring. Each segment is color-coded for quick visual reference.
- 2
Click a Key
Click any key on the circle to highlight its key signature — showing the number of sharps or flats — its relative major or minor, and the diatonic chords built from that scale.
- 3
View Common Progressions
See the most common chord progressions for the selected key displayed as Roman numerals (I-IV-V-vi) with the actual chord names filled in for your key.
- 4
Hear the Key
Click the play button to hear the root note and tonic triad of the selected key. This helps you associate the visual position on the circle with the sound of each key center.
Examples by Niche
Click on E major to instantly see that it has 4 sharps (F#, C#, G#, D#), its relative minor is C# minor, and its I-IV-V is E-A-B.
Start on C major and see that G major (one step clockwise) shares 6 of 7 notes — making it the smoothest key change. Move two steps for D major, a slightly bolder modulation.
Click through adjacent keys on the circle to hear how closely related they sound. Choose keys that are 1-2 steps apart for bridge sections that feel natural.
See that F# major and Gb major occupy the same position on the circle — they are enharmonic equivalents with 6 sharps and 6 flats respectively.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the circle of fifths and why is it important?
The circle of fifths arranges all 12 musical keys by ascending perfect fifths (clockwise: C, G, D, A, E, B, F#/Gb, Db, Ab, Eb, Bb, F). Adjacent keys share 6 of 7 notes, making modulation smooth. It shows how many sharps or flats each key has and reveals the relationship between major and minor keys. It is the single most important diagram in Western music theory.
How do I find the relative minor of a major key?
The relative minor is always the inner ring entry directly inside its major key on the circle. For example, A minor is the relative minor of C major — they share the same key signature (no sharps or flats) but start on different root notes. You can also count 3 semitones down from the major key's root to find its relative minor.
What are diatonic chords and how are they shown?
Diatonic chords are the 7 chords built from the notes of a key. In a major key: I (major), ii (minor), iii (minor), IV (major), V (major), vi (minor), vii° (diminished). Click any key on the circle to see all 7 diatonic chords with their names and Roman numerals. These are the chords that naturally "belong" to that key.
How can I use the circle of fifths for songwriting?
Use adjacent keys on the circle for smooth key changes (modulation). Use the diatonic chords shown when you click a key to build progressions that stay in key. Borrowing chords from the parallel minor (same root, different mode) adds color. For example, in C major, borrowing bVII (Bb major) from C minor creates a classic rock sound.
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