How does transposing chords work?

Every chord root is a note on the 12-semitone chromatic scale. Transposing shifts each root by the same number of semitones while keeping the chord quality such as minor or 7th unchanged, so the harmonic relationships stay identical in the new key.

Will this transpose minor and 7th chords correctly?

Yes. The tool separates each chord's root note from its quality suffix, shifts only the root, then reattaches the suffix. So Am7 moved up two semitones becomes Bm7, and Dsus4 becomes Esus4.

Does it handle slash chords like C/G?

Yes. Both the chord root and the bass note after the slash are transposed by the same amount, so C/G moved up two semitones becomes D/A, preserving the inversion.

Should I use sharps or flats in the result?

The tool offers a sharp or flat preference for the accidental notes. Sharps suit keys like D and A, while flats read more naturally in keys like F and B flat. Pick whichever matches your chart.

How many semitones is a capo position?

Each guitar capo fret raises the pitch by one semitone. So a capo on fret 2 transposes everything up two semitones, which is the same as entering plus two here to see the sounding chords.

Song Key Transposer — Gera Tools

Changing a song’s key to suit a singer or instrument means moving every chord by the same amount. This tool transposes a whole chord chart up or down any number of semitones, keeping chord qualities and bass notes intact, and shows the resulting key signature.

How it works

The twelve pitches form a chromatic circle. Transposing means stepping every chord root the same number of places around that circle:

C  C# D  D# E  F  F# G  G# A  A# B  (then wraps back to C)

Each chord is split into its root note and its quality suffix. Only the root is shifted; the suffix (m, 7, maj7, sus4, dim, and so on) is preserved. A shift of +2 semitones turns:

C into D
Am7 into Bm7
F into G
G/B into A/C#

Slash chords have their bass note transposed by the same amount, so inversions survive the change.

Worked example

Take the progression C Am F G and transpose up +2 semitones:

C plus 2 = D
Am plus 2 = Bm
F plus 2 = G
G plus 2 = A

Result: D Bm G A — the same I–vi–IV–V feel, now in D.

Tips and notes

A guitar capo on fret n raises everything by n semitones, so set the shift to +n to see the chords the capo produces.
Choose the sharp or flat spelling that matches your target key — sharps for keys like D, A, and E; flats for F, B flat, and E flat.
Shifts wrap around the octave, so +12 returns the original chords. Negative values lower the key for a singer with a lower range. Everything runs locally in your browser.