Chord Transposer
Paste any chord chart, choose how far to move it — by half-steps or straight to a target key — and get a clean, re-aligned chart with capo suggestions in one click. Everything runs in your browser; nothing you paste is uploaded.
The fastest way to change a song's key is to shift every chord by the same number of semitones. This tool reads your chart line by line, recognises real chords (including slash chords like C/E, minors, sevenths and extensions), moves each one, and keeps the chords lined up over your lyrics so the result is still playable at a glance.
1. Paste your chord chart
2. Choose how to transpose
Paste a chord chart above to begin.
3. Transposed chart
How it works
Western music divides the octave into twelve equal semitones (half-steps). Transposing means sliding every note the same distance around that twelve-note circle, which keeps the relationships between chords identical — the song sounds the same, just higher or lower. The tool does exactly this:
- Each line is classified as a chord line, a lyric line, or a section label, so words are never mistaken for chords.
- Every chord is split into its root, its quality (the
m,7,sus4,maj7part) and any slash bass note. - The root and bass are moved by your chosen number of semitones; the quality is carried across unchanged.
- Chords are re-aligned to their original columns so they still sit above the right syllables.
The spelling control decides whether an altered note is written as a sharp or a flat. On "Auto", the tool picks the spelling that matches the destination key — flats for keys like F, B♭ and E♭, sharps for keys like G, D and A — which is what trained musicians expect to read.
Common transpositions at a glance
| You want to… | Semitone shift | Example: from C |
|---|---|---|
| Drop the song to be easier to sing | −1 to −3 | C → A (−3) |
| Move up a whole step | +2 | C → D |
| Match a capo on fret 2 | shapes sound +2 | play C shapes, hear D |
| Switch from B♭ horn part to concert pitch | −2 | C → B♭ |
| Raise a key for brightness | +1 | C → C#/D♭ |
Which formats does it understand?
It handles the two layouts singers and guitarists actually use: chords-over-lyrics (a line of chords sitting above a line of words) and inline / ChordPro brackets such as [Am] placed directly in the lyric. Section labels like [Verse], [Chorus] or Intro: are left untouched, and bar lines such as | and repeats like x2 are preserved.
Frequently asked questions
How do I transpose a song down to fit my voice?
Switch to "By semitones" and press the − button until the chart sits in a comfortable range. Dropping one to three semitones is the most common fix when a song feels too high to sing.
Does transposing change the melody or the feel?
No. Transposing moves every note by the same interval, so the tune and the chord relationships are identical — only the overall pitch (and how it sits in your voice or on your instrument) changes.
Will my chord alignment be preserved?
Yes. The tool keeps each chord above the same column it started in, even when a chord becomes one character wider or narrower after transposing, so the result stays readable over the lyrics.
What is the capo helper for?
It suggests where to place a guitar capo so you can play easy open-chord shapes while the song still sounds in your target key — for example "Capo 2, play in G shapes" to sound in A.
Is my chart uploaded anywhere?
No. All processing happens locally in your browser using JavaScript. Nothing you paste is sent to a server or stored.
New to changing keys? Read the complete guide to transposing chords, or see semitones vs. keys vs. capo to pick the right method.