C, D, E, F, G, A, and B repeat across the keyboard.
Labeled keyboard
Piano keyboard labeled
A labeled piano keyboard repeats the same 12-note pattern in every octave. Find the two black keys, place C immediately to their left, then read the white keys as C, D, E, F, G, A, and B.
C4D4E4F4G4A4B4C5
C#4D#4F#4G#4A#4Each octave has five black keys named as sharps or flats.
Seven white keys plus five black keys make the repeating pattern.
Start with the black-key groups
The easiest way to label piano keys is to ignore the letter names for a moment and look for the black keys. The keyboard alternates between a group of two black keys and a group of three black keys.
Find C and F first
C is the white key just before a two-black-key group. F is the white key just before a three-black-key group. Once those two anchors are clear, the rest of the letters fall into place.
Use the same pattern in every octave
The labeled pattern does not change on a 61-key, 76-key, or 88-key piano. Only the low and high endpoints change.
White key anchors
| Key | How to find it |
|---|---|
| C | White key immediately before two black keys |
| D | White key between the two black keys |
| E | White key immediately after two black keys |
| F | White key immediately before three black keys |
| G | First inner white key in the three-black-key group |
| A | Second inner white key in the three-black-key group |
| B | White key immediately after three black keys |
FAQ
Quick answers
What is the first key to label on a piano?
Start with C because it sits immediately to the left of each two-black-key group.
Do black keys have one name or two names?
Black keys usually have two common names, such as C sharp and D flat. The name depends on the key or scale.
Is a labeled piano keyboard different on 61 keys?
The repeating note pattern is the same. A 61-key keyboard simply has fewer low and high octaves than a full piano.