In music, what is the key signature for C major?

The key signature for C major has no sharps or flats. Its scale uses the seven natural notes C, D, E, F, G, A, and B without altering any pitch.

C major follows the standard major-scale interval pattern: whole step, whole step, half step, whole step, whole step, whole step, and half step. On a piano, that pattern can be played entirely on the white keys, beginning and ending on C. This makes C major one of the most familiar keys for beginners.

Its relative minor is A minor, which also has no sharps or flats, but begins on A and uses a different tonal center. C major’s parallel minor is C minor, whose key signature has three flats. A key signature is written at the beginning of a staff and applies throughout a passage unless changed; individual accidentals can still temporarily alter notes.