Capo Chart
What every open chord shape sounds like at every capo position. Your fingers do the same thing at every fret — the capo is what changes the chord that comes out.
The full capo chart
Rows are capo positions, columns are the shapes you finger. Read across to find the chord that sounds.
Capo positions in detail
Each position has its own page with the full shape-to-sound table, the keys it suits, and fitting tips.
Capo 1st fret
G shape sounds A♭, C shape sounds D♭.
Capo 2nd fret
G shape sounds A, C shape sounds D.
Capo 3rd fret
G shape sounds B♭, C shape sounds E♭.
Capo 4th fret
G shape sounds B, C shape sounds E.
Capo 5th fret
G shape sounds C, C shape sounds F.
Capo 6th fret
G shape sounds D♭, C shape sounds F♯.
Capo 7th fret
G shape sounds D, C shape sounds G.
Capo 8th fret
G shape sounds E♭, C shape sounds A♭.
Capo 9th fret
G shape sounds E, C shape sounds A.
Frequently asked questions
- How do I read a capo chart?
- Find the fret your capo is on down the left, then read across to the shape you are fingering. The cell where they meet is the chord that actually sounds. The shape never changes — only its pitch does.
- Which capo position should I use?
- Whichever one turns the most of your song's chords into open shapes. That depends on the song, so rather than guessing, paste the chords into the capo calculator — it scores every position from 0 to 9 and recommends the easiest.
- Does a capo change the key of the song?
- It changes the pitch of whatever you play. Used to make a hard key easier, you finger shapes from a lower key and the capo lifts them back to the original — same key, easier chords. Used to fit a singer, you keep your usual shapes and the song moves up.
- How high up the neck can a capo go?
- Physically most of the way, but past about the 7th fret the frets get cramped and the tone thins out. Positions 1 to 5 cover almost everything you will need; higher positions are mostly for a second guitar layering against a first.
Let it pick the fret for you
A chart tells you what a position does. The calculator tells you which position your particular song wants — it scores all ten and explains the trade-off.
Open the capo calculator