Chord Transposer
Paste a song with chords above the lyrics or in [brackets], and transpose every chord up or down or straight to a new key. The tool detects the original key, keeps chords lined up over the words and suggests a capo. Nothing leaves your browser.
How to use the Chord Transposer
- Paste your chord sheet into the left box: chords on their own lines above the lyrics, or inline like [Am]lyrics.
- Press + or − to move all chords up or down by semitones, or choose the new key under To key.
- Check the key: the original key is detected automatically; correct it under From key if needed so the spelling is right.
- Pick a capo suggestion if you want to keep easy open chord shapes in the new key.
- Copy or download the transposed sheet, or press Use as original to keep transposing from the result.
Transposition chart
Find your chord in the first column and read across to see it moved up by the number of semitones. To go down, read the column for 12 minus that number (down 2 = up 10).
| Chord | +1 | +2 | +3 | +4 | +5 | +7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | C♯/D♭ | D | E♭ | E | F | G |
| D | E♭ | E | F | F♯ | G | A |
| E | F | F♯ | G | G♯/A♭ | A | B |
| F | F♯/G♭ | G | A♭ | A | B♭ | C |
| G | A♭ | A | B♭ | B | C | D |
| A | B♭ | B | C | C♯ | D | E |
| B | C | C♯ | D | D♯/E♭ | E | F♯ |
The chord type never changes: only the root (and the bass note of a slash chord) moves. Am7 up 3 is Cm7, and G/B up 2 is A/C♯.
Capo chart for guitarists
| Capo fret | C shapes sound as | G shapes | D shapes | A shapes | E shapes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | C♯/D♭ | A♭ | E♭ | B♭ | F |
| 2 | D | A | E | B | F♯ |
| 3 | E♭ | B♭ | F | C | G |
| 4 | E | B | F♯ | C♯ | A♭ |
| 5 | F | C | G | D | A |
| 7 | G | D | A | E | B |
Tips for clean chord sheets
- Put chords on their own line directly above the syllable where the change happens, and use spaces, not tabs.
- Write chords in brackets inside the lyrics, ChordPro-style, if you want alignment that never breaks:
[G]Morning [D/F#]light. - Labels such as
Intro:orBridge:are fine at the start of a chord line; words in square brackets like[Chorus]are kept as headings. - Changing the key of a recording instead? Use the Audio Pitch Changer, and check chords by ear on the Online Piano.
Frequently asked questions
How do I transpose chords to a different key?
Count the semitones between the old and new key and move every chord by that amount. From G to A is +2, so G becomes A, Em becomes F♯m and D/F♯ becomes E/G♯. This tool does it for the whole sheet at once: choose the new key under To key or press + and −.
How does the tool know which lines are chords?
A line counts as a chord line when every word on it is a valid chord name or a neutral symbol such as |, -, x2 or N.C. (an optional label like Intro: is allowed). Lyric lines are left alone, except for chords written inline in square brackets, like [C]. Section headings such as [Chorus] are not chords and stay unchanged.
Will my chords stay lined up over the lyrics?
Yes, with Keep chords aligned over lyrics turned on, every chord starts at the same column as before. If a chord gets longer (C becomes C♯m), the following spacing shrinks so the next chord stays above the right word. Use a monospaced font when you print or paste the result.
Should I use sharps or flats?
Auto spells chords the way the new key does: E major uses F♯, G♯ and C♯, while E♭ major uses B♭ and A♭. You can force sharps or flats if your band or app prefers one style.
How does a capo work with transposing?
A capo raises every open shape by one semitone per fret. To sound in B♭ while playing G shapes, put the capo on fret 3. The tool lists capo positions that give you easy open keys and can show the sheet as the shapes you play with the capo.
Can I transpose a song for a singer's vocal range?
Yes. Moving a song down 2–3 semitones is a common way to make high choruses easier, and moving it up brightens it. Try a few settings, then check the result with the Online Piano or by playing along.