Chord Transposer
Transpose guitar or piano chords up or down by semitones, or find shapes to play with a capo.
About the Chord Transposer
Transposing moves every chord by the same number of semitones, keeping the song's shape but changing its key, often to suit a singer's range. A capo raises the pitch of every string, so with a capo on fret 2 you play chord shapes 2 semitones lower than the sounding chords. Chord types (m, 7, sus4, maj7) and slash bass notes are kept.
The formula
New root = (old root + semitones) mod 12
The 12 notes
| Sharps | Flats |
|---|---|
| C | C |
| C# | Db |
| D | D |
| D# | Eb |
| E | E |
| F | F |
| F# | Gb |
| G | G |
| G# | Ab |
| A | A |
| A# | Bb |
| B | B |
Worked example
Example: Transposed up 3 semitones = A# F/A Gm D#
- Inputs: Chords (put chords on their own lines): G D/F# Em C; Am7 D7sus4 G; Transpose by: 3 semitones; Spell with: Sharps (#); Or find chords for a capo on fret: 0.
- Formula: New root = (old root + semitones) mod 12
- A# F/A Gm D#
- Cm7 F7sus4 A#
- Result: Transposed up 3 semitones = A# F/A Gm D#
Questions people ask
How many semitones from C to E?
4.
Should I use sharps or flats?
Use flats in flat keys (F, B♭, E♭) and sharps in sharp keys (G, D, A, E).