The Circle of Fifths, Explained
The circle of fifths is a map of all 12 keys that shows how they fit together. It sounds like music theory homework, but for guitarists it’s mostly a shortcut: it tells you which chords sound good together in any key. Tap a key on the interactive circle below to see its chords, with chord diagrams you can play and hear.
How to read the circle of fifths
- The outer ring shows the 12 major keys. C is at the top, with no sharps or flats.
- Going clockwise, each key is a fifth higher (C, G, D, A, E, B…) and adds one sharp.
- Going anticlockwise, each key is a fifth lower (C, F, B♭, E♭…) and adds one flat.
- The inner ring shows the relative minor keys. A minor sits inside C major because they share exactly the same notes.
- Keys next to each other are closely related. They share all but one note, which is why songs often move between neighbours.
Find the chords in any key
This is the trick that makes the circle so useful on guitar. Pick a major key and look at it together with its two neighbours:
- The three major chords are the key itself and the keys either side. For C: F, C and G (IV, I and V).
- The three minor chords are the relative minors just inside them. For C: Dm, Am and Em (ii, vi and iii).
- The seventh chord is a diminished chord, Bdim in C. It’s used less often.
Those six main chords sound good together in any order, so they’re a great starting point for writing your own songs. In the tool, tap a key and its chords light up on the circle and appear below with diagrams. Then tap Open in Progressions to play famous progressions in that key.
Key signatures at a glance
| Major key | Relative minor | Sharps or flats |
|---|---|---|
| C | Am | None |
| G | Em | 1♯ |
| D | Bm | 2♯ |
| A | F♯m | 3♯ |
| E | C♯m | 4♯ |
| B | G♯m | 5♯ |
| F♯ / G♭ | D♯m / E♭m | 6♯ / 6♭ |
| D♭ | B♭m | 5♭ |
| A♭ | Fm | 4♭ |
| E♭ | Cm | 3♭ |
| B♭ | Gm | 2♭ |
| F | Dm | 1♭ |
The guitar-friendly keys are on the sharp side: G, D, A and E (and their relative minors) are full of easy open chords.
Why guitarists use the circle of fifths
- Work out a song’s chords. If you know the key, you know the six chords most likely to appear.
- Write your own songs. Pick chords from one key and they’ll always fit together.
- Change key. Move a progression to a key that suits your voice by shifting it around the circle.
- Learn music theory gradually. Key signatures, relative minors and chord functions all make sense once you’ve seen them on the circle.
Frequently asked questions
Why is it called the circle of fifths?
Each step clockwise moves up a perfect fifth, to the fifth note of the scale: C to G, G to D and so on. After 12 steps you’re back at C, which closes the circle.
What is a relative minor?
A minor key that uses the same notes as a major key. Every major key has one, and it starts on the sixth note of the major scale: A minor for C, E minor for G.
Do I need to know music theory to use this?
No. Tap a key and the circle shows you the chords. You can learn the theory along the way.
Can I use it with a keyboard?
Yes. The interactive circle works with the arrow keys as well as by tapping or clicking.
More free guitar tools
All of these tools are part of GuitarBuddy Play, a free app with beginner guitar lessons too.