Printable music theory chart
Circle of Fifths Printable Chart
Read major keys, relative minors, and key signatures at a glance. Download the original SVG or use your browser’s Print command to save the chart as a PDF.
Printable circle of fifths
How to read the circle of fifths
Start at C major at the top. Move clockwise to G, D, A, E, B, and F-sharp; each step adds a sharp. Move counterclockwise to F, B-flat, E-flat, A-flat, D-flat, and G-flat; each step adds a flat. The inner key at every position is the relative minor.
Key signatures
Count steps from C to see how many sharps or flats a major key uses.
Primary chords
The keys immediately left and right of the tonic supply IV and V roots.
Modulation
Neighboring keys share many notes, making them natural destinations for smooth key changes.
Circle of fifths key signature table
| Major key | Relative minor | Signature | Clockwise neighbor | Counterclockwise neighbor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | A minor | 0 | G | F |
| G | E minor | 1 sharp | D | C |
| D | B minor | 2 sharps | A | G |
| A | F# minor | 3 sharps | E | D |
| E | C# minor | 4 sharps | B | A |
| B | G# minor | 5 sharps | F# / Gb | E |
| F# / Gb | D# / Eb minor | 6 sharps / 6 flats | Db | B |
| Db | Bb minor | 5 flats | Ab | F# / Gb |
| Ab | F minor | 4 flats | Eb | Db |
| Eb | C minor | 3 flats | Bb | Ab |
| Bb | G minor | 2 flats | F | Eb |
| F | D minor | 1 flat | C | Bb |
Using the chart for chords and songwriting
Choose a tonic, then take the adjacent roots for a basic I–IV–V family. Move three positions clockwise from a major tonic to locate its relative minor on the inner ring. For modulation, test a neighboring key first because it changes only one scale note.
Frequently asked questions
What is the circle of fifths?
It arranges keys so each clockwise step is a perfect fifth upward. Neighboring keys differ by one accidental and share six of seven scale notes.
How do I save the circle of fifths as a PDF?
Choose Print / Save as PDF, then select “Save as PDF” in the browser print dialog. The print stylesheet removes navigation and controls.
How do I find a relative minor key?
The relative minor appears in the inner ring at the same position as its major key. For example, C major and A minor share no sharps or flats.
Why are F-sharp and G-flat shown together?
They are enharmonic major keys: the piano pitches sound the same in equal temperament, but the written note names and key signatures differ.
How does the circle help with chord progressions?
The tonic, subdominant, and dominant roots sit close together. For C major, F is one step counterclockwise and G is one step clockwise.