No capo · play G shapes
- Sounding key
- G major
- Shape key
- G major
- Capo fret
- None
- Every chord is an open shape
- No barre chords
- No capo needed
Difficulty score 1.15 · lower is easier
Capo Calculator
Keep the key you need and play easier chords: find the capo fret and the shapes that fit your song.
FreeNo sign-upWorks offline
Instrument
Default: I – IV – V – vi of G major. Type your own chords to rank by your song.
Ranking preferences
Scores come from the easiest verified fingering of each shape: barre chords, finger stretches and capo height add points. It is a practical estimate — your hands have the final say.
To sound in G major, the easiest choice is no capo with G shapes.
Recommended
Capo 5 · play D shapes
- Sounding key
- G major
- Shape key
- D major
- Capo fret
- 5
- 3 of 4 chords are open shapes
- Barre: Bm
Difficulty score 2.50 · lower is easier
Capo 7 · play C shapes
- Sounding key
- G major
- Shape key
- C major
- Capo fret
- 7
- 3 of 4 chords are open shapes
- Barre: F
- Capo high on the neck — brighter, lighter sound
Difficulty score 2.89 · lower is easier
Capo chart for G major
| Shapes | Capo fret | Main chords you play |
|---|---|---|
| G shapes | No capo | G · C · D |
| E shapes | Fret 3 | E · A · B |
| D shapes | Fret 5 | D · G · A |
| C shapes | Fret 7 | C · F · G |
| A shapes | Fret 10 | A · D · E |
How to use the capo calculator
- Choose the key it should sound in — the key of the recording, or the key that suits the singer.
- Type the song’s chords as they should sound (or keep the default I–IV–V–vi progression).
- Pick a result. Each card shows the capo fret, the shapes you play and why it ranks where it does.
Already playing with a capo and want to know the real key? Switch to What key am I in?, choose your shapes and capo fret, and the calculator tells you the sounding key and every chord name.
Capo chart
Find your shape key on the left and follow the row to the capo fret: the cell shows the key you will hear. For example, C shapes with the capo on fret 2 sound in D major.
| Shapes | No capo | Capo 1 | Capo 2 | Capo 3 | Capo 4 | Capo 5 | Capo 6 | Capo 7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C shapes | C | D♭ | D | E♭ | E | F | F♯ | G |
| A shapes | A | B♭ | B | C | D♭ | D | E♭ | E |
| G shapes | G | A♭ | A | B♭ | B | C | D♭ | D |
| E shapes | E | F | F♯ | G | A♭ | A | B♭ | B |
| D shapes | D | E♭ | E | F | F♯ | G | A♭ | A |
| Am shapes | Am | B♭m | Bm | Cm | C♯m | Dm | E♭m | Em |
| Em shapes | Em | Fm | F♯m | Gm | G♯m | Am | B♭m | Bm |
| Dm shapes | Dm | E♭m | Em | Fm | F♯m | Gm | G♯m | Am |
Why shape key and sounding key are different
A capo acts like a movable nut. The chord shapes stay the same, but every string is shorter, so every note is higher. That is why guitarists say “capo 3, E shapes” while the band hears G. When you share a song with other players, tell them the sounding key; when you write it on your own chord sheet, write theshapes and the capo fret.
Not every capo fret is equally comfortable. Open chords such as G, C, D, A, E, Am, Em and Dm ring longer and need fewer fingers than barre chords such as F, B♭ or B. The calculator rates every position with real, verified fingerings from our chord finder, so you can see at a glance which option avoids barre chords. Read the guitar capo guide for more.
Frequently asked questions
How does a capo change the key?
Every fret raises the pitch by one semitone. If you play G shapes with the capo on fret 2, the song sounds in A. Sounding key = shape key + capo fret.
What is the difference between the sounding key and the shape key?
The sounding key is what the audience hears and what a singer or other instruments follow. The shape key is the set of chord shapes your fingers play behind the capo. With capo 3 and E shapes you hear G.
How does the calculator decide which capo position is easiest?
For each capo fret it re-spells your chords as shapes and rates each shape with its easiest verified fingering: barre chords, finger stretches and a high capo add points. You can change these weights under “Ranking preferences”. It is an estimate, not a rule.
Does it work for ukulele?
Yes. Switch the instrument to ukulele and the shapes are rated with GCEA ukulele fingerings instead.
Is a very high capo a problem?
Above about fret 7 the frets get cramped and the guitar sounds brighter and thinner. That can be a nice colour, but most players prefer the capo on fret 0–7, so higher positions rank lower by default.
Related tools
Chord Transposer
Paste lyrics with chords, pick a new key, get capo suggestions, chord diagrams and a clean PDF.
Guitar Chord Finder
Look up any chord on the neck — or tap frets to find out what chord you are playing.
Circle of Fifths
An interactive circle of fifths with key signatures, relative minors and the chords in each key.