What is the Camelot wheel?

A DJ-friendly relabelling of the circle of fifths. Each key gets a number from 1 to 12 plus a letter: A for minor, B for major. 8A is A minor and 8B is C major, so keys that mix well end up next to each other.

Which keys mix well together?

The same code, one step up, one step down, and the same number on the other side of the wheel — the relative major or minor. Those four moves cover almost all harmonic mixing.

Why do keys one step apart work?

Neighbouring codes are a perfect fifth apart and share six of seven notes, so melodies rarely clash. Jumping several steps changes several notes at once, which is where the dissonance comes from.

Do I have to stay in key?

No. Harmonic mixing is a shortcut for blends that need to hold for a long time. Short cuts, percussive sections and heavily filtered transitions often work in any key, and a deliberate clash can be the point.

Free tool

Camelot Wheel

Every Camelot code, the key it stands for, and the four moves that mix harmonically from it.

A reference chart. Nothing is uploaded and nothing is stored.

Pick a code

A is minor, B is major.

#A · minorB · major

8A — A minor

Musical key

A minor

Relative major/minor

C major

Minor selected

Mixes well with

D minor
One step down — subtle drop in energy
A minor
Same key — always safe
E minor
One step up — subtle lift in energy
C major
Relative major/minor — changes mood, keeps notes

7A (D minor), 8A (A minor), 9A (E minor), 8B (C major)

Need the code for a key you already know? Use the Camelot Key Converter. Not sure of the key? The BPM & Key Finder estimates it from audio.

Detail

How this works

The wheel is the circle of fifths with DJ labels. Moving one number keeps six of the seven notes in common, which is why a blend holds together; crossing the wheel to the same number on the other side keeps all seven notes and changes only the tonal centre.

Treat it as a shortlist, not a rule. Key compatibility matters most for long, melodic blends. It matters much less for drum-led transitions, and detected keys are estimates in the first place — check the blend by ear before trusting a code.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

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