Circle of Fifths
Every major key clockwise by fifths, with its relative minor and key signature.
Keys by fifths
| Major | Relative minor | Sharps/flats |
|---|---|---|
| C | Am | None |
| G | Em | 1 sharp (F#) |
| D | Bm | 2 sharps (F# C#) |
| A | F#m | 3 sharps (F# C# G#) |
| E | C#m | 4 sharps (F# C# G# D#) |
| B | G#m | 5 sharps (F# C# G# D# A#) |
| F#/Gb | D#m/Ebm | 6 sharps / 6 flats |
| Db | Bbm | 5 flats (Bb Eb Ab Db Gb) |
| Ab | Fm | 4 flats (Bb Eb Ab Db) |
| Eb | Cm | 3 flats (Bb Eb Ab) |
| Bb | Gm | 2 flats (Bb Eb) |
| F | Dm | 1 flat (Bb) |
Worth remembering
- Moving clockwise adds a sharp (or removes a flat) each step - each new key's 5th degree is the next key.
- Adjacent keys on the circle share all but one note, which is why chord progressions that move by fifths (like ii-V-I) sound so natural.
- A key and its relative minor share the exact same key signature - same notes, different home.