Transpose chords
Paste a chord sheet, choose how many semitones to move it, and copy the new sheet. Lyrics and layout stay exactly where they were.
G becomes A · Chords: A E/G# F#m D Bm7 E7
Easiest way to play it: capo 2, shapes G D/F# Em C Am7 D7.
Lanterns on the Water (example) [A]We lit our lanterns [E/G#]on the water [F#m]Watched them drifting [D]out of sight A E/G# F#m D Every wish we never told each other Bm7 E7 A Floating softly through the night
How transposing works
Transposing moves every chord by the same number of semitones (half steps), so the song keeps its shape in a higher or lower key. Up 2 turns G into A, Em into F#m and D/F# into E/G#.
To fit a voice, move 1 or 2 semitones at a time until the melody sits comfortably. Then let a capo do the work, so you keep playing easy open shapes in the new key.
Chord types never change: a 7th stays a 7th and a sus4 stays a sus4. Only the letters move.
Transposition chart
The six most used chords in every major key (I, ii, iii, IV, V and vi). Find the row your song is in, then read the same column in another row.
| Key | I | ii | iii | IV | V | vi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | C | Dm | Em | F | G | Am |
| Db | Db | Ebm | Fm | Gb | Ab | Bbm |
| D | D | Em | F#m | G | A | Bm |
| Eb | Eb | Fm | Gm | Ab | Bb | Cm |
| E | E | F#m | G#m | A | B | C#m |
| F | F | Gm | Am | Bb | C | Dm |
| F# | F# | G#m | A#m | B | C# | D#m |
| G | G | Am | Bm | C | D | Em |
| Ab | Ab | Bbm | Cm | Db | Eb | Fm |
| A | A | Bm | C#m | D | E | F#m |
| Bb | Bb | Cm | Dm | Eb | F | Gm |
| B | B | C#m | D#m | E | F# | G#m |
Should I transpose or use a capo?
Both change the key. Transposing changes the chord names; a capo keeps your shapes and raises the pitch. To sing higher with the same shapes, use a capo. To go lower, or to rewrite a sheet for someone else, transpose.
Is C# the same as Db?
Yes, it is one note written two ways. By default the tool follows the new key: flats in keys like F, Bb and Eb, sharps in keys like D, E and A. You can also force sharps or flats.
Does it work with Vietnamese chord sheets?
Yes. Chords in brackets [C] or parentheses (C), and chord lines above the lyrics, are all transposed. The lyrics are never touched.
Hear it in the new key
Paste the transposed sheet into the player and the 3D hands play it, with the strumming pattern and a capo if you set one.
Open the player