DJ & theory
The Camelot Wheel Explained: Harmonic Mixing Made Simple
The Camelot wheel turns music theory into a number game. Every key gets a code — 1A to 12A for minor keys, 1B to 12B for major — arranged in a circle so that neighbouring codes always sound good together. No theory degree needed: just compare two numbers.
How to read a Camelot code
8A is A minor. 8B is C major — its relative major, sharing exactly the same notes. Moving one step around the wheel (7A or 9A from 8A) changes just one note in the scale, which is why those blends feel seamless.
The mixing rules
- Same code (8A → 8A): perfect match.
- ±1, same letter (8A → 7A or 9A): smooth, adds gentle movement.
- Same number, switch letter (8A → 8B): relative major/minor — mood shift, zero clash.
- +2 for energy (8A → 10A): a bolder lift that usually still works.
Producers use it too
Choosing samples that share (or neighbour) your beat’s Camelot code means everything sits in tune before you touch a pitch knob. Building a beat pack or a DJ set inside one Camelot neighbourhood keeps the whole thing coherent.
Finding a track’s Camelot code
You don’t have to work it out by hand — the free Key & BPM Finder reports the Camelot code alongside the key and tempo for any file you drop in, privately in your browser. Want to go deeper on keys themselves? Read how to find the key of a song.
Get any track's Camelot code →Key, BPM and Camelot in one drop — free and private.Frequently asked questions
What does 8A mean on the Camelot wheel?
8A is A minor. The number places the key on the wheel and the letter marks it as minor (A) or major (B); 8B is C major, its relative major.
What Camelot keys mix well together?
Same code, one step up or down with the same letter (8A with 7A or 9A), or the same number with the other letter (8A with 8B) all blend smoothly.
How do I find the Camelot key of my track?
Use the free FL Tools Key & BPM Finder — it shows the Camelot code, musical key and BPM for any audio file, analyzed locally in your browser.