Circle of Fifths
Use the Circle of Fifths to understand key signatures, chord relationships, and common piano chord progressions.
What is the Circle of Fifths?
The circle of fifths is a music theory tool that arranges the twelve major keys in a circle. Each step clockwise moves up a perfect fifth, which is why musicians call it a chord wheel or key wheel. It shows how keys relate to one another, which chords belong together, and where to find the relative minor for any major key.
For piano and guitar players, the circle of fifths is one of the fastest ways to understand chords in every key. Instead of memorizing unrelated chord charts, you learn patterns—tonic, subdominant, dominant, and relative minor—that repeat in every major key.
How to use this tool
- Click any key on the circle—or use the key buttons below the wheel.
- Review the major scale notes and diatonic chords for that key.
- Study the common chord progressions with real chord names.
- Open the chords reference to see piano keyboard and guitar fretboard shapes for chords in that key.
- Use Practice Mode to drill chord changes with a metronome.
Practice Chords from This Key
After you explore a key on the circle, drill its chords with a metronome in Go Practice.
Music theory tool
Interactive Circle of Fifths
Explore the circle of fifths as an interactive chord wheel. Click any major key to see scale notes, diatonic chords, relative minor, and beginner-friendly progressions—then jump to piano or guitar chord shapes on Looty Chords.