Music / 11
Transpose Chords
Paste a song with chords above the lyrics and move it to any key, up or down in half steps, with the lyrics untouched, sharps or flats to suit the key, and a capo suggestion for easier shapes.
Transpose Chords: Lines that are mostly chord symbols are recognised as chord lines, and each chord, including slash chords such as D/F♯, moves by the same number of half steps; lyric lines are left exactly as they are, and chords keep their places above the words where the spacing allows. Keys usually written with flats, such as F or B♭, get flat names. The capo hint finds a fret where most chords become simple open shapes. Runs 100% locally in your browser with zero server file uploads.
- Category
- Everyday tools
- Runs
- In your browser
- Cost
- Free · no sign-up
- Availability
- Ready to use
Runs entirely in your browser
From G to G
G C G
Amazing grace, how sweet the sound
D
That saved a wretch like me
G C G
I once was lost, but now am found
Em D G
Was blind, but now I seeCapo 5: play the shapes D G A Bm · Capo 7: play the shapes C F G Am
Lines that are mostly chord symbols are transposed, and lyrics are left alone. Each half step moves a chord one fret on the guitar or one key on the piano; 12 half steps is an octave.
How transposing works
Transposing moves every chord by the same interval, so the song keeps its shape and only its pitch changes. Moving up one half step turns C into C♯ or D♭, Am into B♭m, and G7 into A♭7. Twelve half steps bring you back to the original key an octave higher.
To see the shape of any new chord the transposition produces, look it up in the chord finder, and tune up first with the guitar tuner.
Common reasons to transpose
Singers change key to fit their range; guitarists move songs to keys with open chords, or use a capo to keep the shapes; players of transposing instruments, such as B♭ clarinet or trumpet, need parts written a tone higher than concert pitch.
How to use it
- Paste the song: chord lines above lyric lines, as in most chord sheets.
- Press half step up or down until it suits your voice or instrument.
- Copy the result; if a capo is suggested, use it to play easier shapes.
Privacy & limitations
Everything runs in your browser; your song is kept only in this browser.
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Frequently asked questions
How do I change a song to suit my voice?
If the high notes are too high, transpose down one or two half steps at a time and sing along; if the song sounds low and muddy, go up. Most voices are comfortable within a few half steps of the original.
What does a capo do?
A capo clamps across the strings at a fret and raises every open string by that many half steps. With a capo on the 3rd fret, a G shape sounds as B♭, so a song in B♭ can be played with easy G, C, and D shapes.
Why are some chords written with flats?
Music in flat keys, such as F, B♭, or E♭, is conventionally written with flats: B♭ rather than A♯. The tool picks sharps or flats from the key, or you can choose.
Does it work with chords inside the lyrics, like [G]?
This version works with chords on their own lines above the lyrics, the most common chord sheet layout.
Free tool · runs in your browser · no account required