Key Signature Calculator
Find major and minor keys from sharps/flats or determine the key signature for any key
Key Signature Calculator
Number of sharps or flats in the key signature
Type of accidentals in the key signature
Key Results
Key Signature Reference
♯Sharp Key Signatures
| ♯ | Major | Minor | Sharps |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | C | A | none |
| 1 | G | E | F♯ |
| 2 | D | B | F♯, C♯ |
| 3 | A | F♯ | F♯, C♯, G♯ |
| 4 | E | C♯ | F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯ |
| 5 | B | G♯ | F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯, A♯ |
| 6 | F♯ | D♯ | F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯, A♯, E♯ |
| 7 | C♯ | A♯ | F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯, A♯, E♯, B♯ |
♭Flat Key Signatures
| ♭ | Major | Minor | Flats |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | C | A | none |
| 1 | F | D | B♭ |
| 2 | B♭ | G | B♭, E♭ |
| 3 | E♭ | C | B♭, E♭, A♭ |
| 4 | A♭ | F | B♭, E♭, A♭, D♭ |
| 5 | D♭ | B♭ | B♭, E♭, A♭, D♭, G♭ |
| 6 | G♭ | E♭ | B♭, E♭, A♭, D♭, G♭, C♭ |
| 7 | C♭ | A♭ | B♭, E♭, A♭, D♭, G♭, C♭, F♭ |
Memory Aids
Sharp Order
Father Charles Goes Down And Ends Battle
F♯ - C♯ - G♯ - D♯ - A♯ - E♯ - B♯
Flat Order
Battle Ends And Down Goes Charles Father
B♭ - E♭ - A♭ - D♭ - G♭ - C♭ - F♭
Quick Rules
Sharp Keys: Last sharp + 1 semitone = major key
Flat Keys: Second-to-last flat = major key
Relative Minor: 3 semitones down from major
Circle of Fifths: Each step = one more sharp/flat
Popular Keys
Understanding Key Signatures
What is a Key Signature?
A key signature is a set of sharp or flat symbols placed after the clef at the beginning of a musical staff. It tells musicians which notes to play as sharps or flats throughout the piece, establishing the key center and tonality.
Circle of Fifths
The circle of fifths is a visual representation of key signatures arranged in a circle. Moving clockwise adds sharps, while moving counterclockwise adds flats. Each step represents a perfect fifth interval.
How to Identify Keys
Practical Examples
3 Sharps Example
Sharps: F♯, C♯, G♯
Last sharp: G♯ → G♯ + semitone = A major
Relative minor: F♯ minor
3 Flats Example
Flats: B♭, E♭, A♭
Penultimate flat: E♭ major
Relative minor: C minor
No Accidentals
No sharps or flats
C major or A minor
Context determines which one