How a Capo Changes the Key

Why a capo changes the key

A capo clamps all the strings at one fret. Every fret shortens a string by one semitone, so each string, and every chord you play, sounds one semitone higher per fret. Your fingers make the same shapes, but those shapes now sit higher on the neck, so the music is in a higher key.

Capo key chart

Find the shapes you play on the left and your capo fret at the top. The cell is the key you will hear.

Shapes	Capo 1	Capo 2	Capo 3	Capo 4	Capo 5	Capo 6	Capo 7
C	D♭	D	E♭	E	F	F♯	G
A	B♭	B	C	D♭	D	E♭	E
G	A♭	A	B♭	B	C	D♭	D
E	F	F♯	G	A♭	A	B♭	B
D	E♭	E	F	F♯	G	A♭	A
Am	B♭m	Bm	Cm	C♯m	Dm	D♯m	Em
Em	Fm	F♯m	Gm	G♯m	Am	B♭m	Bm
Dm	D♯m	Em	Fm	F♯m	Gm	G♯m	Am

Example 1: capo 2, G shapes

You play G, C, D and Em shapes. Every one sounds 2 semitones higher:

You play	G	C	D	Em
It sounds as	A	D	E	F♯m

The song is in A major, but you never had to play an A major or an F♯m chord.

Example 2: a song in E♭ with easy shapes

A song in E♭ major uses E♭, A♭, B♭ and Cm, which are all barre chords on guitar. Put the capo on fret 3 and play C shapes: every chord moves down 3 semitones on paper, and the capo brings the sound back up.

The song	E♭	A♭	B♭	Cm
You play, capo 3	C	F	G	Am

F is still a barre chord, so capo 1 with D shapes (D, G, A, Bm) is just as good. The capo calculator compares every option for your exact chords.

How to find the capo fret for a key

Choose shapes you like playing, for example G shapes.
Count the semitones from the shape key up to the key you need. G up to B♭: G → G♯ → A → B♭ = 3.
That number is the capo fret: capo 3 with G shapes gives B♭.

If the count is more than about 7, choose different shapes: a capo high up the neck leaves little room for your fingers.

Capo or transpose?

A capo keeps your shapes and raises the pitch. Transposing changes the chord names. Use a capo when the key suits the singer but the chords are hard; transpose when the key itself is wrong for the singer (a capo can only make a song higher). The chord transposer does both: move the song to the right key, then check its Capo panel for the easiest shapes.

Reading capo songs

"Capo 4" at the top of a song sheet means the chords are shapes. To find the real key, add 4 semitones to the shape key: C shapes with capo 4 sound in E. To give the chords to a piano player, move every chord up 4 semitones (the capo calculator's "Capo → real key" converts a whole list).

Frequently asked questions

What key is capo 2?

Two semitones above the shapes you play: G shapes sound in A, C shapes in D, D shapes in E, A shapes in B, E shapes in F♯.

Does a capo make a song higher or lower?

Always higher. A capo shortens the strings, and shorter strings sound higher. To play a song lower, choose chord shapes from a lower key and, if needed, add a capo to land on the right key.

Which fret do I put the capo on for the key of B♭?

Fret 3 with G shapes, fret 1 with A shapes, fret 6 with E shapes, or fret 8 with D shapes. The capo calculator lists every option and marks the easiest for your chords.

Are the chords written as shapes or as real chords?

Many song sheets write the shapes and add "Capo 2" at the top; others write the real (sounding) chords. If a sheet says capo 2 and shows G, C and D, the song really sounds in A. Paste such a sheet into the chord transposer and it offers to show the real chords.

How do I tell the band which key I'm in?

Give the sounding key: "We're in A; I'm playing G shapes with a capo on 2." Bass, keys and horns need the real key, not your shapes.

Does a capo work the same on ukulele?

Yes: one semitone per fret on any fretted instrument. C shapes on a ukulele with a capo on fret 2 sound in D.