Capo on the 3rd Fret: Key and Chords
With a capo on the 3rd fret, every string sounds three semitones (a minor third) higher than open. You finger the same shapes, but the chord you hear is higher: a G shape sounds as Bb, a C shape sounds as Eb, a D shape sounds as F, and an Em shape sounds as Gm.
In short, the key you hear is the key of your shapes plus three semitones. Use the tool below to check any shape, or read the chart.
Chord chart with the capo on the 3rd fret
Left column: the open shape you play. Right column: the chord that actually sounds with the capo on the 3rd fret. Every row follows one rule: the scale has 12 notes, and each fret raises the pitch by one semitone.
| Shape you play | Chord you hear |
|---|---|
| C | Eb |
| A | C |
| G | Bb |
| E | G |
| D | F |
| Am | Cm |
| Em | Gm |
| Dm | Fm |
To transpose a whole progression, change every chord the same way. A progression of G, C, D, Em played with the capo on the 3rd fret sounds as Bb, Eb, F, Gm. Want a different pairing of shapes and frets? The full capo chart covers every fret from 1 to 9.
Why players put the capo on the 3rd fret
The third fret lifts every open shape by a minor third. G shapes come out in Bb, C shapes in Eb, and A shapes in C, which are keys that are awkward to play without a capo because they lean on barre chords. With the capo on the third fret you keep the open shapes and get those keys for free. It is a common choice when a song feels a touch too low for your voice but a full whole step up is too much.
A capo acts as a new nut: it lets you play in a different key with the same fingerings as open strings, as the Wikipedia article on the capo explains. New to it? Read how to use a capo, and if you need one, browse our guitar capos.
Try another fret
Or open the capo chart and transposer to pick any shape, fret or target key.
Frequently asked questions
The key is three semitones above the shapes you play. G shapes sound in Bb, C shapes in Eb, D shapes in F and A shapes in C.