The circle of fifths is the most important diagram in Western music theory. It maps all 12 major and minor keys in a circle where each step clockwise moves up a perfect fifth. Use this interactive tool to explore key signatures, find related chords, and discover common chord progressions for any key.
Or click a segment on the circle
Scale Notes
Diatonic Chords
Common Chord Progressions
How to Use the Interactive Circle of Fifths
The circle of fifths is the single most useful diagram in music theory. It organizes all 12 major and minor keys into a circular pattern where neighboring keys are closely related. This interactive tool lets you explore every key visually and instantly see its scale, chords, and common chord progressions.
Step 1: Select a Key
Click any segment on the outer ring of the circle of fifths to select a major key. You can also use the dropdown selector. The selected key highlights on the circle, and all information below updates instantly. The outer ring shows major keys and the inner ring shows their relative minors.
Step 2: Read the Key Signature
The info cards show the key signature — how many sharps or flats the key contains and which notes are affected. C major has no sharps or flats. Moving clockwise adds sharps: G has one sharp (F#), D has two (F# and C#), and so on. Moving counter-clockwise from C adds flats: F has one flat (Bb), Bb has two (Bb and Eb).
Step 3: Explore Scale Notes and Chords
The scale notes section shows every note in the selected major scale. Below that, the diatonic chords section shows all seven chords that naturally belong to the key. The chord numbering follows Roman numeral analysis: uppercase for major chords (I, IV, V), lowercase for minor chords (ii, iii, vi), and a degree symbol for the diminished chord (vii).
Step 4: Use Chord Progressions
The common progressions section shows popular chord sequences in your selected key. The I-IV-V-vi progression is one of the most widely used in popular music. The I-V-vi-IV pattern powers countless pop and rock hits. The ii-V-I progression is essential in jazz.
Understanding Key Relationships
The neighboring keys on the circle share the most notes with your selected key, making them natural choices for modulation. The key to the right is the dominant (V), and the key to the left is the subdominant (IV). These relationships are shown in the info cards for quick reference. When writing songs, moving to a neighboring key sounds smooth and natural because most of the notes stay the same.
Relative Major and Minor
Every major key has a relative minor that shares the same key signature and the same seven notes. The relative minor is always three semitones below the major key. For example, A minor is the relative minor of C major — they both have no sharps or flats. This tool shows the relative minor on the inner ring and in the info cards so you can quickly identify these pairs.
FAQ
Is this circle of fifths tool free?
Yes, this interactive circle of fifths is completely free with no signup or account required. Click any key on the wheel to instantly see its scale, chords, and progressions. Everything runs in your browser.
Is my data private when using this tool?
Absolutely. This tool runs entirely in your browser with no server communication. Nothing you click or explore is tracked, stored, or sent anywhere. It works offline once the page has loaded.
What is the circle of fifths?
The circle of fifths is a visual diagram that shows the relationships between the 12 major and minor keys in Western music. Moving clockwise, each key is a perfect fifth above the previous one. It helps musicians understand key signatures, find related chords, and build chord progressions.
How do I find the relative minor of a key?
Click any major key on the outer ring of the circle. The relative minor is shown on the inner ring at the same position. For example, C major's relative minor is A minor. They share the same key signature and the same set of notes.
What are diatonic chords?
Diatonic chords are the seven chords built from the notes of a major scale. In any major key, the pattern is always: I (major), ii (minor), iii (minor), IV (major), V (major), vi (minor), vii° (diminished). This tool shows all seven diatonic chords for whichever key you select.
How do I use the circle of fifths for songwriting?
Select your key and look at the common chord progressions shown below the circle. Progressions like I-IV-V-vi and I-V-vi-IV are used in thousands of popular songs. The neighboring keys on the circle (dominant and subdominant) share many chords with your key, making modulation easy.
What are sharps and flats in a key signature?
Key signatures tell you which notes are raised (sharps) or lowered (flats) throughout a piece of music. C major has no sharps or flats. Moving clockwise on the circle adds one sharp per step. Moving counter-clockwise adds one flat per step. This tool shows the exact sharps or flats for every key.
Can I use this tool on my phone?
Yes, the interactive circle of fifths is fully responsive and works on mobile devices. You can tap any segment on the circle or use the dropdown selector to choose a key. All the scale, chord, and progression information adjusts to fit your screen.