F major key signature

F major has 1 flat: B♭. Its relative minor is D minor. The chart below shows the key signature on the treble staff — free to print or download.

What is in the F major key signature?

F major has 1 flat: B♭. Every B, E, A… of that letter is played flat throughout the piece, unless cancelled by a natural sign.

How to read it

1. Look at the accidentals. F major shows 1 flat straight after the clef: B♭.
2. Name the key from the last accidental. C major and F major are the two you simply memorise — no sharps, or one flat (B♭).
3. Find the relative minor. F major shares this key signature with D minor, its relative minor.

Working backwards from the staff instead? See every key that uses a key signature with 1 flat — F major shares it with D minor.

See how it fits with every other key on the circle of fifths (or fill in a blank circle of fifths from memory), learn the notes on the treble clef, or read the guide to reading sheet music.

D minor uses this same signature. See it next to the other fourteen minor keys, on treble and bass clef, on the minor key signatures chart.

Other key signatures