Capo Position Calculator

How to Use This Calculator

1. Select your Original Key (the chord shapes you want to use, e.g., G).
2. Select the Desired Sounding Key (the key the song needs to be in, e.g., A).
3. The calculator tells you which fret to place the capo.
4. Use Find Sounding Key to go the other way — enter a shape and fret to see what key it sounds in.

Formula

Example

Frequently Asked Questions

• What does a guitar capo do? ▼
  A capo clamps across all strings at a given fret, raising the pitch of all open strings by the number of semitones equal to the fret number. This lets you use familiar open chord shapes while playing in a different key.
• How do I find the capo position to play in a specific key? ▼
  Choose the chord shapes you want to use (e.g., G shape = playing in G). Count the semitones from your desired key back to G. For example, to play in A using G shapes: A is 2 semitones above G, so capo at fret 2.
• What is the highest practical capo position? ▼
  Most players capo no higher than fret 7. Beyond that, the frets are very close together and sound thin. Above fret 5, check intonation carefully as the capo can affect tuning accuracy.
• Does a capo change the key signature? ▼
  Yes. A capo at fret 2 transposes everything up 2 semitones. If you play G shapes with a capo at 2, the song sounds in A. The chord shapes remain the same but the sounding key changes.

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