For fast and automatic transposition of entire songs, you could also try our free online Web.Transpose.Tool service, or even try the Tray Transpose Tool or the Worship LIVE! software with rich powerful features for musicians.
Instructions
- For easiest use, print this chart out.
- Note the number of steps you need to transpose. If you only have the TO and FROM keys instead of a number of steps,
then find the FROM key in the center (0) column. Move left or right along the same line until you reach the TO key.
The number above or below this key is the number of steps you need to transpose.
- Note that there are two ways to get to any new key - for example, up ten is the same as down two.
- Now, for each chord you need to transpose, simply find the starting chord in the center column. Then move left or right
by the selected number of steps, and note the new chord.
Steps: -12 -11 -10 -9 -8 -7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 +1 +2 +3 +4 +5 +6 +7 +8 +9 +10 +11 +12
Sharp: A A# B C C# D D# E F F# G G# A A# B C C# D D# E F F# G G# A
Flat: A Bb B C Db D Eb E F Gb G Ab A Bb B C Db D Eb E F Gb G Ab A
12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Sharp: A# B C C# D D# E F F# G G# A A# B C C# D D# E F F# G G# A A#
Flat: Bb B C Db D Eb E F Gb G Ab A Bb B C Db D Eb E F Gb G Ab A Bb
12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Sharp: B C C# D D# E F F# G G# A A# B C C# D D# E F F# G G# A A# B
Flat: B C Db D Eb E F Gb G Ab A Bb B C Db D Eb E F Gb G Ab A Bb B
12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Sharp: C C# D D# E F F# G G# A A# B C C# D D# E F F# G G# A A# B C
Flat: C Db D Eb E F Gb G Ab A Bb B C Db D Eb E F Gb G Ab A Bb B C
12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Sharp: C# D D# E F F# G G# A A# B C C# D D# E F F# G G# A A# B C C#
Flat: Db D Eb E F Gb G Ab A Bb B C Db D Eb E F Gb G Ab A Bb B C Db
12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Sharp: D D# E F F# G G# A A# B C C# D D# E F F# G G# A A# B C C# D
Flat: D Eb E F Gb G Ab A Bb B C Db D Eb E F Gb G Ab A Bb B C Db D
12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Sharp: D# E F F# G G# A A# B C C# D D# E F F# G G# A A# B C C# D D#
Flat: Eb E F Gb G Ab A Bb B C Db D Eb E F Gb G Ab A Bb B C Db D Eb
12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Sharp: E F F# G G# A A# B C C# D D# E F F# G G# A A# B C C# D D# E
Flat: E F Gb G Ab A Bb B C Db D Eb E F Gb G Ab A Bb B C Db D Eb E
12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Sharp: F F# G G# A A# B C D# D D# E F F# G G# A A# B C D# D D# E F
Flat: F Gb G Ab A Bb B C Db D Eb E F Gb G Ab A Bb B C Db D Eb E F
12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Sharp: F# G G# A A# B C C# D D# E F F# G G# A A# B C C# D D# E F F#
Flat: Gb G Ab A Bb B C Db D Eb E F Gb G Ab A Bb B C Db D Eb E F Gb
12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Sharp: G G# A A# B C C# D D# E F F# G G# A A# B C C# D D# E F F# G
Flat: G Ab A Bb B C Db D Eb E F Gb G Ab A Bb B C Db D Eb E F Gb G
12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Sharp: G# A A# B C C# D D# E F F# G G# A A# B C C# D D# E F F# G G#
Flat: Ab A Bb B C Db D Eb E F Gb G Ab A Bb B C Db D Eb E F Gb G Ab
12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Sharp: A A# B C C# D D# E F F# G G# A A# B C C# D D# E F F# G G# A
Flat: A Bb B C Db D Eb E F Gb G Ab A Bb B C Db D Eb E F Gb G Ab A
Most composers stick with a standard set of chords when writing a song. For example, you will rarely see a song in the key of A with a Db; most composers would represent this as C# instead.
To pick the standard set of chords:
- Songs with root chords of A, B, C, C#, E, F#, and G typically use sharps.
- Songs with root chords of Bb, Eb, F and Ab typically use flats.
- The following enharmonics are standard for root chords: Bb, C#, Eb, F#, and Ab.
- By contrast, the following root enharmonics are unusual: A#, Db, D#, Gb, and G#.