Capo Transposition Calculator
Find the correct capo position for any key using open chord shapes.
Shows transposed chord names for all 12 keys on standard guitar and ukulele tunings.
A guitar capo (from the Italian “capotasto,” meaning “head of the fretboard”) is a device that clamps across all strings at a specific fret, effectively raising the pitch of every string by the same number of semitones. This allows guitarists to play in any key while using familiar open chord shapes.
The transposition relationship:
Concert Key = Open Chord Key + Capo Fret Number
Open Chord Key = Concert Key − Capo Fret Number
Each fret = 1 semitone (half step) of pitch raise.
The chromatic scale — 12 semitones per octave: C → C♯/D♭ → D → D♯/E♭ → E → F → F♯/G♭ → G → G♯/A♭ → A → A♯/B♭ → B → C
Capo position chart — what key you’re actually in:
| Capo Fret | Play C shapes | Play D shapes | Play G shapes | Play A shapes | Play E shapes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open (no capo) | C | D | G | A | E |
| 1 | D♭/C♯ | E♭/D♯ | A♭/G♯ | B♭/A♯ | F |
| 2 | D | E | A | B | F♯/G♭ |
| 3 | E♭/D♯ | F | B♭/A♯ | C | G |
| 4 | E | F♯/G♭ | B | D♭/C♯ | G♯/A♭ |
| 5 | F | G | C | D | A |
| 6 | F♯/G♭ | G♯/A♭ | D♭/C♯ | E♭/D♯ | B♭/A♯ |
| 7 | G | A | D | E | B |
Common use cases:
Matching a singer’s range: If a song is in E major but your vocalist sings better in G major: G is 3 semitones above E → place capo on fret 3 and play E chord shapes.
Playing with another guitarist: Two guitarists can play the same song with different voicings for richer sound. One plays open chords in G (no capo), the other plays D shapes with capo on 5 — both produce G major, but different textures.
Brightening tone: Higher frets produce a brighter, tighter tone. Songs that sound muddy in open position often sound cleaner with a capo at frets 3–5.
Famous capo use examples:
- “Here Comes the Sun” (The Beatles): Capo 7, play A shapes
- “Blackbird” (The Beatles): Capo 2, play G shapes
- “Wonderwall” (Oasis): Capo 2, play Am–G–Dsus4–A7sus4 shapes
- “Hotel California” (Eagles): Capo 7, play Bm shapes (7-string or drop tuning versions)
Nashville Number System note: Nashville session players use the capo extensively to play in the same chord shapes regardless of key. A “number chart” in the key of A with capo 2 means play D shapes (D=1, Em=2, F♯m=3, G=4, A=5, Bm=6).