Circle of Fifths
Spin the wheel — click a key to bring it to the top, or drag to rotate freely
Drag the wheel to spin it • Click any segment to select it • ← → keys work too
Enharmonics:
C major · relative minor A minor
Key signature: none
Scale: C – D – E – F – G – A – B
Chords in this key:
I · ii · iii · IV · V · vi · vii°
Clockwise = up a perfect fifth (adds a sharp / removes a flat) • Neighbouring keys differ by a single note, so they are safe to mix • The inner ring is always the relative minor — same notes, starting from the 6th degree.
How to read it
C / Am sits at the top with no sharps or flats. Move one step clockwise and you go up a perfect fifth (C → G → D → A …): each step adds one sharp. Move counter-clockwise (C → F → B♭ → E♭ …) and each step adds one flat. Opposite keys (e.g. C vs. G♭) share the fewest notes — that is the most dramatic modulation.
For guitarists the practical trick: the three major chords next to your key on the wheel are your I, IV and V — the backbone of most songs. The inner-ring neighbours give you the relative minors (ii, iii, vi) for free.