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Camelot Wheel

The Camelot Wheel labels musical keys with a number and A or B so DJs can compare keys quickly while mixing. A marks minor and B marks major.

  • A = minor
  • B = major
  • adjacent codes as starting points
Compare neighboring keysclockwise adds a sharp, the other way adds a flat
C major, no sharps or flatsC-Am, the relative minor of CAmG major, 1 sharpG1♯Em, the relative minor of GEmD major, 2 sharpsD2♯Bm, the relative minor of DBmA major, 3 sharpsA3♯F#m, the relative minor of AF#mE major, 4 sharpsE4♯C#m, the relative minor of EC#mB major, 5 sharpsB5♯G#m, the relative minor of BG#mF# major, 6 sharpsF#6♯D#m, the relative minor of F#D#mDb major, 5 flatsDb5♭Bbm, the relative minor of DbBbmAb major, 4 flatsAb4♭Fm, the relative minor of AbFmEb major, 3 flatsEb3♭Cm, the relative minor of EbCmBb major, 2 flatsBb2♭Gm, the relative minor of BbGmF major, 1 flatF1♭Dm, the relative minor of FDmCno sharps or flatsmajor
The seven notes

C D E F G A B

Key signature
no sharps or flats
Relative minor
Am
Nearest keys
F and G, one note different each
Parallel key
C minor, same home note, different notes
Also written as
only one spelling
Or click any wedge to hear that key.
The chords in C

How do you read a Camelot code?

A code such as 8A means A minor; 8B means C major. The letter switches between a relative minor and major at the same number. Neighboring numbers on the same letter follow the circle of fifths: 8A (A minor), 9A (E minor) and 7A (D minor) are common nearby choices.

Which moves are usually compatible?

Staying at the same code keeps the key label unchanged. Moving one number clockwise or counterclockwise with the same letter takes you to a neighboring key; switching A and B at the same number takes you to the relative major or minor. These are useful first candidates for a blend, not guarantees that two tracks will sound good together.

Is it the same as the circle of fifths?

It rearranges the same key relationships into DJ-friendly labels. The circle of fifths shows musical keys by name and signature; Camelot codes hide those names behind numbers and letters. Knowing both helps when a track-analysis tool says '8A' but your instrument says 'A minor'.

What else matters in a transition?

Two tracks in compatible keys can still clash if their bass notes, melodies, energy or phrasing collide. Try the transition at the same tempo and listen through the overlapping bars. If a chord from one song fights a held note in the other, shorten the overlap or choose a different section.

Frequently asked questions

Can tracks with nonadjacent Camelot codes be mixed?
Yes. The wheel offers convenient starting choices, not a ban on other combinations. Short overlap, percussion-only sections or a deliberate key change can make a distant-key transition work.

Everything in production and arranging

Open production and arranging
Arranging
Making the sound
Recording and mixing
Finishing
Also in this section
  • Camelot Wheel