Key signatures
A key signature is the set of sharps or flats after the clef that fixes the key of a piece. Below is a free printable chart for every major key. Sharps are added in the order F♯ C♯ G♯ D♯ A♯ E♯ B♯; flats in the reverse order.
Sharp keys
C major
No sharps or flats
G major
1 sharp · rel. E minor
D major
2 sharps · rel. B minor
A major
3 sharps · rel. F♯ minor
E major
4 sharps · rel. C♯ minor
B major
5 sharps · rel. G♯ minor
F♯ major
6 sharps · rel. D♯ minor
C♯ major
7 sharps · rel. A♯ minor
Flat keys
Key signatures by number of sharps or flats
Counting the accidentals is the fastest way to name a key. Each count belongs to exactly one major key and one relative minor — pick a number to see the signature drawn on the staff.
How many sharps?
Key signatures with 1 sharp
G major · E minor
Key signatures with 2 sharps
D major · B minor
Key signatures with 3 sharps
A major · F♯ minor
Key signatures with 4 sharps
E major · C♯ minor
Key signatures with 5 sharps
B major · G♯ minor
Key signatures with 6 sharps
F♯ major · D♯ minor
Key signatures with 7 sharps
C♯ major · A♯ minor
How many flats?
Key signatures with 1 flat
F major · D minor
Key signatures with 2 flats
B♭ major · G minor
Key signatures with 3 flats
E♭ major · C minor
Key signatures with 4 flats
A♭ major · F minor
Key signatures with 5 flats
D♭ major · B♭ minor
Key signatures with 6 flats
G♭ major · E♭ minor
Key signatures with 7 flats
C♭ major · A♭ minor
Key signatures — frequently asked questions
What is a key signature?
A key signature is the group of sharps or flats written just after the clef. It tells you which notes to raise or lower throughout the whole piece, so they don’t have to be marked every time.
What order do sharps and flats go in?
Sharps are always added in the order F♯ C♯ G♯ D♯ A♯ E♯ B♯; flats in the reverse order B♭ E♭ A♭ D♭ G♭ C♭ F♭.
How do I work out a key from its signature?
For a sharp key, take the last sharp and go up one semitone. For a flat key, the second-to-last flat names the key. C major (no sharps/flats) and F major (one flat) are memorised.
How do I find the key from the number of sharps or flats?
Count the accidentals after the clef and look the number up: 1 sharp is G major, 2 sharps D major, 1 flat F major, 2 flats B♭ major, and so on. Each count also has a relative minor that shares the same signature.
Are the key signature charts free?
Yes — every chart is free to print or download as a PDF or PNG, with no account.
Related
Minor keys use the same signatures as their relative majors: the minor key signatures chart shows all fifteen on treble and bass clef. Writing for clarinet, trumpet, saxophone or horn? The transposition chart gives the written key for each instrument.
The circle of fifths arranges all these keys by their signatures. You can also learn to read the notes on each clef or print blank staff paper to practise writing them.