Interactive circle of fifths diagram showing keys, chords, and harmonic relationships.
Major and minor keys are arranged in a circular map so you can select a tonal center and inspect nearby keys and chords. The layout makes relative major-minor pairs, fifth relationships, and changes in key signatures easier to compare. A common mistake is assuming that every nearby chord automatically belongs to the selected key. Proximity indicates a close harmonic relationship, but chord membership and function still depend on the active key and musical context.
A concrete input and expected output from the current implementation.
Input
C major
Expected output
Selected key: C major. Neighboring major keys: F major and G major. Relative minor: A minor.
F, C, and G occupy consecutive positions because adjacent keys are separated by a perfect fifth. A minor is C major's relative minor because both use the same key signature, with no sharps or flats.
Moving clockwise through the major keys follows ascending perfect fifths, such as C, G, D, and A. Each step on that side introduces another sharp into the conventional key signature sequence. Moving counterclockwise follows descending fifths, or ascending fourths, and proceeds through flat key signatures. Keys next to one another therefore share most of their scale tones.
For a selected major key, its diatonic triads follow the sequence major, minor, minor, major, major, minor, diminished. In C major, those triads are C, D minor, E minor, F, G, A minor, and B diminished. The circle helps connect these chords to neighboring keys, especially when comparing tonic, predominant, dominant, and relative-minor relationships.
In the conventional sequence beginning at C and moving through sharp key signatures, each clockwise fifth adds one sharp. The complete circle also contains enharmonic overlap, where equivalent sounding pitch collections have different spellings. Near that overlap, use the displayed key name rather than assuming accidental counts continue indefinitely in ordinary notation.
No. It can show which chords belong to a key and which keys or chords are closely related, but it does not determine a composition's next event. Rhythm, melody, style, voice leading, borrowed harmony, and the intended sense of tension or resolution all affect which chord is suitable.
The example and behavioral notes were checked against the browser implementation. Standards and primary references below define the relevant format, formula, or platform behavior.
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