How many sharps or flats?
Look up any major or minor key's signature, or work backwards from a signature to its key. Plus the order of sharps and flats — instantly.
Major key
Answer
G major · E minor
Key signature: 1 sharp — F♯.
F♯
Order of sharps
F♯ → C♯ → G♯ → D♯ → A♯ → E♯ → B♯
Mnemonic: "Father Charles Goes Down And Ends Battle"
Order of flats
B♭ → E♭ → A♭ → D♭ → G♭ → C♭ → F♭
Mnemonic: "Battle Ends And Down Goes Charles’ Father" (sharps reversed)
All 15 key signatures
| Major | Minor | Sharps / Flats | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| C♭ major | A♭ minor | 7♭ | B♭, E♭, A♭, D♭, G♭, C♭, F♭ |
| G♭ major | E♭ minor | 6♭ | B♭, E♭, A♭, D♭, G♭, C♭ |
| D♭ major | B♭ minor | 5♭ | B♭, E♭, A♭, D♭, G♭ |
| A♭ major | F minor | 4♭ | B♭, E♭, A♭, D♭ |
| E♭ major | C minor | 3♭ | B♭, E♭, A♭ |
| B♭ major | G minor | 2♭ | B♭, E♭ |
| F major | D minor | 1♭ | B♭ |
| C major | A minor | — | none |
| G major | E minor | 1♯ | F♯ |
| D major | B minor | 2♯ | F♯, C♯ |
| A major | F♯ minor | 3♯ | F♯, C♯, G♯ |
| E major | C♯ minor | 4♯ | F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯ |
| B major | G♯ minor | 5♯ | F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯, A♯ |
| F♯ major | D♯ minor | 6♯ | F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯, A♯, E♯ |
| C♯ major | A♯ minor | 7♯ | F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯, A♯, E♯, B♯ |