In B major, C is C (sharp)The key signature of B major puts a sharp on every C.

Is C sharp in B major?

In B major, C is C♯: the key signature puts a sharp on every C, in every octave, for as long as that signature stands.

The signature of B major is five sharps, F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯ and A♯. C♯ is one of them, which is why you never see a sharp written next to the note — the signature at the start of the staff already said it.

Spelled from the tonic, the B major scale runs B, C♯, D♯, E, F♯, G♯, A♯ — one of each letter, each carrying whatever the signature gives it. The staff above draws the B major signature and the note C♯ inside it — exactly as you would meet it in a piece written in this key.

Every letter in B major

B major has five sharps, F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯ and A♯. That fixes what each of the seven letters is called in this key:

  • C is C♯ — the letter on this page
  • D is D♯
  • E is E (natural — the signature leaves it alone)
  • F is F♯
  • G is G♯
  • A is A♯
  • B is B (natural — the signature leaves it alone)

B major shares its signature with its relative G♯ minor — the same sharps or flats, so C is C♯ there too.

B major and C♭ major are the same key on the keyboard, written two different ways — so they answer this question differently: C is C♯ in B major, and C♭ in C♭ major.

Frequently asked questions

Is C sharp in B major?
Yes. B major has five sharps, F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯ and A♯, and C♯ is one of them, so every C in the key is played as C♯.
What accidental does C carry in B major?
C is C♯ (sharp). The signature of B major is five sharps, F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯ and A♯. C♯ is one of them, which is why you never see a sharp written next to the note — the signature at the start of the staff already said it.
What sharps or flats are in B major?
B major has five sharps, F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯ and A♯ — written in that order at the start of the staff.
How is the B major scale spelled?
From the tonic up: B, C♯, D♯, E, F♯, G♯, A♯. Each letter appears once, carrying whatever the key signature gives it.