Transposition Calculator
Shift notes, chords, and entire chord charts up or down by any number of semitones.
This tool is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional financial, medical, legal, or engineering advice. See Terms of Service.
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Enter the number of semitones to shift, then type a note, chord, or paste a full chord chart. Results update instantly.
- Set semitones. Positive numbers shift up, negative numbers shift down. 5 semitones up from C gives F. 7 semitones up gives G. Entering 12 moves up one full octave (same note name, higher pitch).
- Transpose a note. Type any note name: C, F#, Bb, Db, E. The calculator shows the transposed note and its enharmonic equivalent (for example, C# and Db are the same pitch).
- Transpose a chord. Enter any chord symbol: Am, Cmaj7, F#m, G7, Bb/F. Slash chords and complex extensions are handled correctly.
- Transpose a chord chart. Paste lyrics with chords above them or a plain chord progression. Every chord token in the text is transposed while lyrics and other words remain untouched.
About Transposition
Transposing means shifting all the notes in a piece of music up or down by the same interval. Musicians transpose for several reasons: to match a singer's comfortable vocal range, to play a song in a different key on a capo, to arrange a part for a transposing instrument like B-flat trumpet or Eb alto saxophone, or to find a key where a chord progression is easier to play.
The chromatic scale has 12 semitones per octave. Every whole step is 2 semitones, every half step is 1. The notes in order are: C, C#/Db, D, D#/Eb, E, F, F#/Gb, G, G#/Ab, A, A#/Bb, B. After B, the sequence repeats in the next octave starting at C again.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many semitones is a capo on each fret?
Each capo position raises the pitch by one semitone. Capo 1 is +1 semitone (one half step up), capo 2 is +2 semitones, capo 5 is +5 semitones, and so on. To find what chords to play with a capo: if you want to sound in the key of G but play open E shapes, use capo 3 (E + 3 semitones = G). Enter -3 in this calculator to convert written G chords to the E-shape chords you would finger.
How do I transpose for a B-flat instrument?
A B-flat instrument (trumpet, tenor sax, clarinet) sounds a whole step lower than written. To write a concert pitch C for a Bb trumpet to play, write D (2 semitones up). To convert a Bb trumpet part back to concert pitch, transpose down 2 semitones. Eb instruments (alto sax, baritone sax) sound a major sixth lower, so transpose written parts up 9 semitones to get concert pitch, or down 9 to write for the instrument.
What is an enharmonic equivalent?
Enharmonic equivalents are two note names that refer to the same pitch. C# and Db are the same frequency, as are F# and Gb, and so on. Which spelling to use depends on context: in the key of G major, F# is the correct spelling because the key signature uses sharps. In Db major, Gb is correct because the key uses flats. The calculator shows both when applicable so you can choose the spelling that fits your key.
How do I find the key a song is in?
Listen for the chord where the music feels most at rest. That is usually the tonic, and its root note is the key. In a chord chart, the first and last chords are often the key center. Songs in major keys often start and end on a major chord. Minor key songs often have a minor chord as the tonic. The most common chords in a progression also give hints: if you see Am, F, C, G frequently, the song is likely in C major or A minor (they share the same key signature).