Circle of Fifths
Interactive music theory tool
Explore the relationships between keys, learn about key signatures, and understand how chords relate to each other with this interactive Circle of Fifths.
Interactive Circle
Key Information
Click on a key in the circle to see its information
Quick Reference
About the Circle of Fifths
The Circle of Fifths is a visual representation of the relationships between the 12 tones of the chromatic scale. It was first described by Johann David Heinichen in 1728 and has been a fundamental tool in music theory ever since.
Moving clockwise around the circle, each key is a perfect fifth higher than the previous one. Moving counter-clockwise, each key is a perfect fourth higher (or a fifth lower).
The circle also shows key signatures: as you move clockwise, each key adds one sharp; moving counter-clockwise adds one flat. Keys on opposite sides of the circle are a tritone apart and are harmonically distant.
The inner circle shows the relative minor keys, which share the same key signature as their relative major counterpart.
How to Use It
- 1Adjacent keys (one step apart) share 6 of 7 notes - great for modulation
- 2Opposite keys are harmonically distant - creates tension when switching
- 3The IV and V chords in any key are one step away on the circle
- 4Relative major/minor pairs share the same notes but different tonal centers
- 5Use it to find compatible keys for your songs or compositions
- 6Common chord progressions often follow the circle (ii-V-I, I-IV-V)
- 7The order of sharps (F C G D A E B) follows the circle clockwise
- 8The order of flats (B E A D G C F) follows counter-clockwise