๐ธ Chord Transpose Tool
Paste a chord chart or lyrics with chords (e.g. "C G Am F") and shift the key up or down by semitones. Lyrics and text are left untouched; only recognized chord names are transposed. Useful for changing a karaoke key or adjusting the performance key for a band.
How to use
- Paste a chord chart or lyrics into the input box.
- Adjust the semitone shift up or down to change the key.
- Choose sharps or flats notation, then click "Copy" to copy the result.
How the calculation works
Paste a chord chart and shift it up or down in semitones. Only the chords are transposed; lyrics and other text stay as they are. A word counts as a chord if it has the form โroot (AโG) + optional # or b + chord-quality symbolsโ. Only quality symbols such as m, maj, 7, sus4, dim, aug, add9, -5 or (b9) are accepted, so English lyrics starting with AโG, like โBabyโ or โGoโ, are left alone. Slash chords (such as G/B) have their bass note transposed too. You can choose whether black-key notes are written with sharps (C#) or flats (Db).
Worked example
+2 (up a whole tone) C G Am F โ D A Bm G G/B โ A/C# โ2 (down a whole tone) with flats G D/F# Em C โ F C/E Dm Bb The lyric line โBaby I love youโ stays unchanged.
Things to be aware of
- A single-letter โAโ in lyrics cannot be told apart from an A chord, so it is transposed. Keeping chords and lyrics on separate lines avoids this.
- A new key can give chord shapes that are awkward on guitar. Combine it with the Capo Calculator to find an easier way to play.
- When a man sings a song written for a female voice, a shift somewhere between โ5 and +5 semitones usually finds a comfortable key.
FAQ
How does the tool know what's a chord versus lyrics?
Each word is checked against a chord pattern: a root note (A-G) optionally followed by # or b, plus any suffix like m, 7, sus4, maj7, dim, or a slash chord (e.g. G/B). Words that don't match this pattern are treated as plain text and left unchanged.
Are slash chords (e.g. C/E) supported?
Yes. Both the chord before the slash and the bass note after the slash are transposed independently, and the slash is preserved in the output.
What's the difference between sharps and flats mode?
Both represent the same pitches; sharps mode uses names like C#, D#, F# while flats mode uses Db, Eb, Gb. Use whichever matches the key signature or notation style of your chart.
Can I use this to find an easier key for karaoke?
Yes โ shift the original chart by semitones to match your vocal range, useful as a reference for playing guitar or piano along with a song.
Is this useful for changing a band's performance key?
Yes โ when you need to shift the key to suit a vocalist's range or fit with other instruments, you can transpose the entire chart at once.