Music Transposer
Paste a chord chart, choose its original and new keys, and transpose chords while keeping lyrics and spacing exactly where they are.
C Major → D Major
4 chord symbols transposed across 2 lines.
Processing stays in this browser. Nothing is uploaded or saved.
12-note map
How to transpose a chord chart
- 1. Paste the chart. Include chord-only lines, bracketed chords inside lyrics, or both. The original layout remains intact.
- 2. Set the keys. Choose the chart's original key and a destination, or move one semitone at a time when you already know the interval.
- 3. Copy the result. Check the spelling and recognition mode, then copy the transformed chart or save it as a plain text file.
Semitone and interval reference
One semitone is one chromatic step. Moving from C to D is two semitones, C to E is four, and C to F-sharp is six. Twelve semitones make an octave, so the tonic name repeats even though the register changes.
| Semitones | Interval | Example from C |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minor second | C → C# / Db |
| 2 | Major second | C → D |
| 3 | Minor third | C → D# / Eb |
| 5 | Perfect fourth | C → F |
| 7 | Perfect fifth | C → G |
| 12 | Octave | C → C |
Chord qualities and slash basses stay intact
Only a recognized root and final slash bass move. A symbol such as Bbmaj7/D keeps its maj7 quality while both Bb and D transpose. Sevenths, ninths, suspensions, additions, alterations, punctuation, line breaks, and spacing are preserved rather than normalized.
Smart chart versus Every token
Smart chart is the safer default for mixed lyrics and chords. It changes bracketed chords anywhere, then changes unbracketed symbols only when a line is mostly chords.
Every token changes every isolated valid chord or note symbol. It is useful for compact progressions, but a standalone word such as “A” can also be read as a note in prose. Neither mode replaces letters inside words.
Sharps, flats, and enharmonic spelling
Notes such as C-sharp and D-flat describe the same pitch class but fit different keys and charts. Auto uses a compact conventional table for the selected major or minor destination. Choose Sharps or Flats when you need a consistent explicit spelling. This changes chord text, not full diatonic staff notation.
Transposition and capo use
Transposing rewrites every recognized chord for a new key. A capo instead raises a guitar's sounding pitch while letting the player use familiar open-chord shapes. If you need sounding chords, transpose the chart; if you want easier shapes, choose a capo position and account for the difference between written shapes and sounding key.
What this text transposer does not do
This tool does not detect a song's key, listen to or shift audio, rewrite staff notation, convert MIDI, or infer chords from a recording. It transforms chord symbols in text you provide, entirely in the browser.
Music Transposer FAQ
- How do I transpose a chord chart to another key?
- Paste your chart, choose its original key, then choose a new key or adjust the semitone controls. The result updates immediately while chord qualities, lyrics, and spacing stay in place.
- Does it support slash chords and extended chords?
- Yes. It transposes the root and final slash bass in symbols such as Bbmaj7/D, while preserving suffixes including sevenths, ninths, suspensions, additions, and alterations.
- What is the difference between Smart chart and Every token?
- Smart chart changes bracketed chords anywhere and unbracketed chords on chord-heavy lines. Every token changes every isolated valid chord or note token, so a standalone word such as A can also change in prose.
- How does Auto choose sharps or flats?
- Auto uses a compact table of conventional spellings for the selected major or minor target key. Sharps and Flats override that choice for every transposed root and slash bass.
- Can I transpose by semitones instead of choosing a key?
- Yes. Use the minus-one and plus-one controls to move from minus 12 to plus 12 semitones, including an explicit octave down or up.
- Is transposing the same as using a capo?
- No. Transposition rewrites chord names into another key. A capo raises a guitar's sounding pitch while a player can keep familiar chord shapes, so the written and sounding keys may differ.
- Does this transpose audio, MIDI, or sheet music?
- No. It changes pasted chord text only. It does not detect a song key, shift audio, rewrite staff notation, or transform MIDI files.
- Is my chord chart uploaded?
- No. Processing happens in your browser. The tool does not upload, transmit, or store your chord chart.
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