Chord transposer
To change the key of a song, paste the chord chart below and move it up or down in semitones, or pick the target key. The chords change, the lyrics stay exactly as they are and every chord stays above the same syllable. The transposer works out the key, spells the chords the way the new key spells them (B♭, not A♯, in F major) and suggests a capo position for open chord shapes.
Paste a chart with chords to start.
The chart stays on this device only. The page address keeps just the transposition, so you can share it.
How to transpose chords
- Paste the chart above: chords over the lyrics, just the chord sequence, or chords in brackets inside the lyrics ([G]like this).
- Use − and + to move down or up a half step at a time, or pick the target key from the list.
- Copy the result. The lyrics don't change; only the chords do.
- If the song ends up in a key that is hard to play, use the capo suggestion.
Semitones and steps
Each semitone is a half step: one fret on the guitar, one key on the piano (counting the black keys).
| Semitones | In steps | Up from C major | Down from C major |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | a half step | C → D♭ | C → B |
| 2 | 1 whole step | C → D | C → B♭ |
| 3 | 1½ steps | C → E♭ | C → A |
| 4 | 2 whole steps | C → E | C → A♭ |
| 5 | 2½ steps | C → F | C → G |
| 6 | 3 whole steps | C → F♯ | C → F♯ |
See also
Frequently asked questions
How do I change the key of a song?
Move every chord up (or down) by the same number of semitones. From G to A is 2 semitones: G becomes A, D becomes E, Em becomes F♯m and C becomes D. The transposer does the whole chart at once.
How many semitones are in a whole step?
Two. A semitone (half step) is the smallest distance between two notes: one fret on the guitar. Going up a whole step means going up two frets.
How can I tell the key of a song from its chords?
Look for the key whose chords include almost all the chords of the song; it usually starts and ends on that key's I chord. The transposer shows the key it found right above the result.
Should I transpose or use a capo?
A capo raises the key without changing the shapes you play, which keeps open chords. To lower the key, or when the capo would sit too high, transpose the chart instead.
Why B♭ and not A♯?
They are the same pitch, but each key has its own spelling: F major is F G A B♭ C D E, so the chord is B♭. The transposer spells chords the way the new key does, so the chart is easy to read.