Capo Transposition Calculator
Find the right capo position to play any song in any key.
Transpose chord shapes for guitar and ukulele.
Capo Position and Chords
A capo clamps across the guitar neck, raising the pitch of all strings. Each fret raises the pitch by one half step (semitone).
Transposition rule:
New Key = Original Key + Capo Fret Position
Example: You want to play in the key of F but prefer the chord shapes of D. F is 3 semitones above D, so place capo on fret 3 and play D shapes.
Why use a capo:
- Play in any key using easy open chord shapes
- Match a singer’s vocal range without learning new fingerings
- Get brighter tone (higher fret positions sound different)
The chromatic scale (12 semitones): C → C#/Db → D → D#/Eb → E → F → F#/Gb → G → G#/Ab → A → A#/Bb → B
Common capo positions for popular keys:
- Key of F: Capo 1, play E shapes
- Key of Bb: Capo 1, play A shapes
- Key of Eb: Capo 3, play C shapes