Positions of key signatures
Key signatures are positioned between clefs and time signatures by default, and are shown on every staff that requires a key signature. They are not shown on staves for unpitched instruments.
Key signatures are shown at the start of a piece and at the start of subsequent movements, even if the music carries straight on and in the same key. Unlike time signatures, key signatures appear at the start of every system, even if the key signature has not changed. They apply until the end of the flow or until the next key signature change, whichever comes first.
![](../../../../_shared_picts/dorico/notation_reference/notation_reference_key_signatures/key_signatures_placement_relative_clefs_time_signatures.png)
If a key signature change occurs during a piece or movement, it should be placed immediately after a barline. It is customary to have a double barline where a key signature change takes place, which is the default setting in Dorico Elements.
![](../../../../_shared_picts/dorico/notation_reference/notation_reference_key_signatures/key_signatures_examples.png)
You can move key signatures to new rhythmic positions in Write mode. They are automatically positioned correctly.