Capo Chart and Chord Transposer
Quick answer
Paste your chords, press Up or Down to change the key, and the tool lists capo positions that give the easiest open shapes. Example: Bb Eb F Gm = capo 3, play G C D Em. Print the capo chart below for your case.
Chord transposer and capo finder
Try:
2. Move the key (for your voice) - each step is one fret / one semitone:
3. Pick a capo spot - the song sounds the same, your hands play easier shapes:
How a capo changes the key (in one minute)
Every fret is one semitone. Clamp a capo on fret 2 and every open string goes up two semitones, so a G shape sounds as an A. You keep the fingering; only the pitch moves. That gives you two jobs a capo is great at:
- Avoid hard chords. A song in Bb (Bb, Eb, F, Gm) is barre chords everywhere. Capo 3 and play G, C, D, Em instead: same sound, all open chords.
- Fit your voice. If the chorus is too low, capo up one or two frets and keep your shapes. A capo only moves up; to go lower, use the Down button above to rewrite the chords.
Not sure you need one yet? Read do you need a capo to start. If your guitar drifts sharp with a capo on, see why a capo pulls you out of tune.
Printable capo chart
Prints just the two charts on one page.
Find the shape you play on the left, read across to your capo fret: the cell is the chord you hear.
| Shape you play | Capo 1 | Capo 2 | Capo 3 | Capo 4 | Capo 5 | Capo 6 | Capo 7 | Capo 8 | Capo 9 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C shape | C# | D | Eb | E | F | F# | G | Ab | A |
| A shape | Bb | B | C | C# | D | Eb | E | F | F# |
| G shape | Ab | A | Bb | B | C | C# | D | Eb | E |
| E shape | F | F# | G | Ab | A | Bb | B | C | C# |
| D shape | Eb | E | F | F# | G | Ab | A | Bb | B |
| Am shape | Bbm | Bm | Cm | C#m | Dm | Ebm | Em | Fm | F#m |
| Em shape | Fm | F#m | Gm | Abm | Am | Bbm | Bm | Cm | C#m |
| Dm shape | Ebm | Em | Fm | F#m | Gm | Abm | Am | Bbm | Bm |
Which capo fret for the key you want
Know the key (or the singer's key)? Pick the row and use whichever open shapes you like best. Lower capo frets keep more low end; past fret 7 the guitar gets thin and bright.
| Key you want to sound in | Open shapes and capo fret |
|---|---|
| C | C shapes, no capo · A shapes, capo 3 · G shapes, capo 5 |
| C# | C shapes, capo 1 · A shapes, capo 4 · G shapes, capo 6 |
| D | D shapes, no capo · C shapes, capo 2 · A shapes, capo 5 · G shapes, capo 7 |
| Eb | D shapes, capo 1 · C shapes, capo 3 · A shapes, capo 6 |
| E | E shapes, no capo · D shapes, capo 2 · C shapes, capo 4 · A shapes, capo 7 |
| F | E shapes, capo 1 · D shapes, capo 3 · C shapes, capo 5 |
| F# | E shapes, capo 2 · D shapes, capo 4 · C shapes, capo 6 |
| G | G shapes, no capo · E shapes, capo 3 · D shapes, capo 5 · C shapes, capo 7 |
| Ab | G shapes, capo 1 · E shapes, capo 4 · D shapes, capo 6 |
| A | A shapes, no capo · G shapes, capo 2 · E shapes, capo 5 · D shapes, capo 7 |
| Bb | A shapes, capo 1 · G shapes, capo 3 · E shapes, capo 6 |
| B | A shapes, capo 2 · G shapes, capo 4 · E shapes, capo 7 |
Capo tips that save you a re-tune
- Clamp just behind the fret wire, not on top of it or in the middle of the fret.
- Use the least pressure that stops buzzing; too tight pulls strings sharp.
- Re-check tuning with the capo on (the free guitar tuner works fine).
- Count frets from the nut: "capo 3" means the capo sits behind the 3rd fret.
The capo we'd start with
A spring trigger capo is the fastest to move between songs. The Kyser Quick-Change is the classic one-hand clamp for 6-string acoustic. Compare styles in best capos for beginners and Kyser vs Shubb.
Want to understand keys properly?
Capos make sense fast once you know how chords fit into keys. Guitar Tricks' Core Learning System covers chords, keys and the capo in order, with a free trial.
FAQ
What does capo 2 mean?
Put the capo behind the 2nd fret. Every chord shape you play then sounds two semitones higher: G sounds as A, C as D, D as E, Em as F#m.
How do I transpose chords with a capo?
Subtract the capo fret from each chord. For a song in A with capo 2, play the shapes two semitones lower: A becomes G, D becomes C, E becomes D. The tool above does it for any song.
Can a capo make a song lower?
No. A capo only raises pitch. To lower a song, transpose the chords down (use the Down button) or tune the guitar down.
What capo position is best for the key of Bb?
Capo 3 with G shapes (G C D Em), or capo 1 with A shapes. Capo 3 with G shapes is the easiest for most beginners.
Do minor chords change with a capo?
The chord type stays the same: an Am shape is still minor. Only the root moves, so Am with capo 3 sounds as Cm.
Which chords belong together? See the circle of fifths for guitar.
Sources checked
- 12-tone equal temperament: one fret = one semitone (checked Oct 23, 2026): en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capo
- Kyser KG6 product page (checked Oct 23, 2026): www.amazon.com/dp/B005JW9JL0
FretCompare explains standard technique and setup practice in its own words. Specs are starting points; adjust to feel.
How this page was made
Built by Andrew. The chart and tool are computed from the 12-note semitone cycle; no product testing claims. How we rate.