The Order of Sharps

Music-Theory-Practice.com

What is the order of sharps?


The order of sharps is:
F C G D A E B
(Scroll down to see the order of sharps as key signatures on each clef below.)

Memorize the order of sharps with the help of our free and interactive key signature flashcards!

Working on modes? Visit our music-theory-practice.com Mode Calculator.

The order of sharps is the exact opposite of the order of flats. See here on the order of flats page.

Want to print or download your own flashcards? Get them here Printable Key Signature Flashcards!

The Order of Sharps and Key Signatures

Key signatures also follow this order. The image below shows order of sharps as key signatures on the treble, alto, tenor, bass clefs:

order of sharps in key signatures

To see the full image click here: Order of Sharps image.

You may also notice that this is also the "right side" of the circle of fifths.

If you want practice recognizing key signatures and their respective keys, try out our key signature quiz!

*Hint!* To find the tonic of a key signature's major key, just look for the last sharp and then raise that note by a half-step. This works becuase the last sharp in a key signature is always the seventh scale degree! For example, the key signature of E major ends with a D#. If we raise that D# we find the tonic: E!

Mnemonics for the order of sharps

There are a number of great mnemonics to help with memorizing the order of sharps. Below you will find a list of a bunch, but I'll begin with my favorite:

Father Charles Goes Down And Ends Battle

This is my favorite mnemonic for the order of sharps becuase it is also a perfect way to memorize the order of flats! This is because it is a palindrome! To get the order of flats, just say it backwards: "Battle Ends And Down Goes Charles' Father"

  • Fat Cats Go Down Alleys Eating Birds
  • Funky Chickens Get Down At Every Barnyard
  • Fat Cats Get Dinner After Eating Bread
  • Fidel Castro Gets Drunk At Every Bar
  • Fat Cows Get Down Always Eating Blueberries
  • Fat Cats Get Donuts At Every Breakfast
  • Fat Cat Goes Downtown After Eating Breakfast
  • Fish Caught! Go Down And Eat Breakfast!