FREE MUSIC CALCULATOR
Key Transposition Calculator
Choose the original and target key to find your pitch shift in semitones. Go up, go down, or take the shortest route.
For a backing track, song or sample with a known key. No audio upload or account needed.
Positive = higher; negative = lower. Pitch Tempo supports −12 to +12 semitones. Calculations stay in your browser; your choices are not stored or sent.
Common key changes in semitones
The nearest shift changes the register as little as possible. A larger shift can reach the same key name in a different octave.
| Original → target | Pitch setting | Other direction |
|---|---|---|
| C major → D major | +2 | −10 |
| A minor → G minor | −2 | +10 |
| B major → C major | +1 | −11 |
| E♭ minor → E minor | +1 | −11 |
| C major → F♯ major | +6 or −6 | Equal distance |
Apply the result to a recording
For C major → D major, enter +2 in Pitch (semitones) in the free audio pitch changer. Keep Tempo at 100% to preserve the pace. Request a preview, then export when the result works for your track.
Both +2 and −10 reach D major, but −10 puts the result one octave below +2. For singing practice, compare the register with the highest and lowest notes you need. The target key alone does not determine a comfortable vocal range.
The calculator does not detect or process audio, and it does not apply settings to an existing chat. If you do not know the source key, upload your recording to find its estimated key first and check the result by ear. Audio uploads support nine formats, up to 5 minutes and 100 MB; see the formats and limits.
How to count semitones between keys
Use the 12-note chromatic sequence: C, C♯/D♭, D, D♯/E♭, E, F, F♯/G♭, G, G♯/A♭, A, A♯/B♭, B. Each step is one semitone. Count forward to go higher or backward to go lower, continuing around the sequence when necessary. B → C and E → F each take just one step.
For example, A → G downward passes G♯ and then G: two steps, so the shift is −2. The calculator checks both directions. At exactly six semitones, both are equally near; Nearest pitch displays +6 and also shows −6.
Sharps, flats and octaves
C♯ and D♭ are enharmonic names for the same pitch in 12-tone equal temperament. They share one option here. Changing between those names needs no pitch shift. Moving up or down 12 semitones returns to the same key name an octave higher or lower.
Nearest pitch returns 0 when both roots match. Choose Up for +12 or Down for −12 if you want an octave change. One semitone equals 100 cents; this calculator reports whole-semitone key changes.
Can transposition turn major into minor?
No. A uniform pitch shift moves every note by the same interval and preserves the relationships between them. A minor → C minor is a transposition; A minor → C major is not. That is why one Major/Minor choice applies to both keys.
Need a different pace as well? Use the BPM to tempo percentage calculator for the separate speed setting.