Guide

Capo and transpose

A capo on fret N raises every open string by N semitones. If you finger a C shape with the capo on fret 2, the sounding chord is D. That is the whole rule. The capo chart applies it to eight open shapes from capo 0 through capo 7. Capo 0 means no capo.

The transpose tool uses the same arithmetic on names you type. C plus 2 semitones is D. Am plus 5 semitones is Dm. The quality stays on the name. Sharps are preferred when you move up, so G plus 3 semitones is written A♯, which is the same pitch as B♭.

Use the chart when you already know the open shape and want the sounding name. Use transpose when the list is longer, or when you need a seventh or another short quality that the chart does not list. Neither page hears a guitar or moves a capo for you.

Simple names only: a letter, an optional accidental, and a short quality such as m. Slash chords and add9 voicings are outside these tools.