ChordPro Editor
Write chord sheets with a live preview, then convert between ChordPro and chords over lyrics.
Drafts are saved in this browser automatically.
The Lantern on the Shore
Example song
Verse 1
Chorus
Write, check, convert
- Paste or type a song — either ChordPro with [chords] in the lyrics, or chords on their own line above the words.
- Add song details with the Title, Artist, Key and Capo buttons. Select some lines and press Chorus to mark them as a chorus.
- Fix anything flagged under the editor. Click a line number to jump straight to it.
- Convert or download: .cho for songbook apps, .txt for a printable sheet. Nothing is uploaded.
ChordPro in one minute
The same line, written two ways:
G C G
Out past the harbour where the cold winds blow[G]Out past the [C]harbour where the [G]cold winds blowThe second version keeps each chord glued to its syllable, so it survives any font, screen width or app. That is why songbook apps prefer ChordPro — and why converting is worth it.
The directives you will use most
| Directive | What it does | Example |
|---|---|---|
{title: …} | Song title | {title: The Lantern on the Shore} |
{artist: …} | Artist or songwriter | {artist: Traditional} |
{key: …} | Key of the chords as written | {key: G} |
{capo: …} | Capo fret | {capo: 2} |
{start_of_chorus} / {end_of_chorus} | Mark the chorus (short: {soc} / {eoc}) | {soc} … {eoc} |
{start_of_verse} / {end_of_verse} | Mark a verse (short: {sov} / {eov}) | {sov: Verse 2} … {eov} |
{comment: …} | A note shown in the song (short: {c: …}) | {comment: Slowly} |
{start_of_tab} / {end_of_tab} | Guitar tablature, shown as written | {sot} … {eot} |
For the full story — sections, tabs, annotations and common pitfalls — read the ChordPro format guide. To move a song to a different key, open it in the chord transposer.
Questions
What is ChordPro?
ChordPro is a plain-text format for songs with chords. Chords go in square brackets right before the syllable they belong to — [G]Out past the [C]harbour — and song information goes in curly-brace directives such as {title: …} and {key: G}. Songbook apps and many websites can read it.
Can I convert chords above lyrics to ChordPro?
Yes. Paste a sheet with chords on their own line above the words and press “To ChordPro”. Each chord is moved into the lyric line at the exact column where it stood. “To chords over lyrics” does the reverse.
Why does the editor say a bracket is not a chord?
In ChordPro everything in square brackets is read as a chord, so labels like [Chorus] confuse other apps. Use {start_of_chorus} … {end_of_chorus} or {comment: Chorus} for sections, and [*text] for a note that should appear above the lyrics.
Is my song uploaded anywhere?
No. Everything happens in your browser. The draft is saved in this browser’s local storage so it is still there when you come back, and nothing is sent to a server.
Which file should I download?
Download .cho for songbook apps that understand ChordPro (OnSong, SongbookPro and similar). Download .txt for a universal chords-over-lyrics sheet you can print or paste anywhere.
Related tools
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