Guitar capo: how it works and which fret to use

A capo clamps across every string at one fret and raises the pitch by that many half steps. You keep playing the same chord shapes; they just sound higher. G shape with a capo on the 2nd fret sounds as A. The chart below does the math for every common shape.

The capo chart

Find the shape you're fingering on the left and the capo fret along the top: the cell is the chord that actually sounds. Tap a cell to hear it. Each button plays the open shape moved up by the capo, string for string.

Sharp and flat names are equal pitches: C♯ is also D♭, B♭ is also A♯. Names follow the usual spelling.

How a capo works

Every fret on a guitar raises a string by one half step. The nut is where the open strings stop vibrating; a capo becomes a new, movable nut. Put it at the 3rd fret and every open string sounds three half steps higher, so an open E string sounds as G.

The important habit: the shapes keep their names relative to the capo. With the capo on 2, you still think "G shape", your fingers make the G shape two frets above the capo, and the chord that comes out is A. Chord sheets for capo songs almost always list the shapes, with a note like "capo 2" at the top. That way you read the sheet exactly as if the capo weren't there.

This is why capos matter so much to beginners. A song in B♭ major needs chords like B♭, E♭ and F, which are barre chords. With a capo on the 1st fret you can play the same song with A-shape chords you already know. See barre chords if you'd rather learn them.

Which capo fret for a singer's key

Songs are easiest to sing in a key that fits the voice, and that key often isn't one with friendly open chords. Find the key the singer wants in the first column, then pick any option. Each option is a capo fret and the open-chord family to play: "G shapes" means play the song as if it were in G major (G, C, D, Em and so on).

How to choose among the options: lower capo positions keep the guitar's fuller low end; higher positions sound brighter and cut through, which is lovely for a second guitar playing along with a first one in open position. For a minor key, use the relative major: a song in E minor uses the same capo options as G major.

To find the key a singer likes, have them sing a familiar tune while you strum an open chord, then try the next fret up with a capo. When it feels comfortable, read the sounding chord off the chart. The chord transposer rewrites a whole chord chart into any key, and the circle of fifths shows how keys relate.

Types of capo

All capos do the same job; they differ in how fast they go on, how evenly they press, and how much tension you can set.

Trigger or spring capos

A spring-loaded clamp you squeeze open with one hand. They are the fastest to move between songs and can park on the headstock when not in use. The trade-off is fixed tension: a strong spring can pull thin strings slightly sharp, and on some necks the spring is stronger than needed.

Adjustable or screw capos

A screw or a lever sets the pressure. You tighten until the strings ring clearly and no further, which keeps the tuning truest. They take a few seconds longer to fit and usually need two hands.

Partial capos

These cover only some of the strings, usually three to five, so the rest ring open. They create sounds like alternate tunings without retuning. Fun to experiment with once a regular capo feels familiar; not a first purchase.

Rolling and sliding capos

Some designs press with a bar that rolls or slides along the neck, so the capo can move to a new fret mid-song without coming off. They suit players who change capo positions often within a set.

What to look for when buying

• Neck shape. Steel-string acoustic and electric necks are curved (a radius); classical necks are flat and wider. A capo made for one can buzz or press unevenly on the other.
• Even pressure. The pad should press all six strings at once without needing to be forced. Buzz on one string usually means the pad doesn't match the neck's curve.
• Adjustable tension. Useful if your guitar goes sharp when the capo is on. Less important on an electric with light strings.
• Pad material. Soft rubber or silicone pads protect the finish and press evenly. Check that the pad is replaceable or thick enough to last.
• Size and weight. A light capo is less likely to shift the tuning and easier to carry. Bulky capos can get in the way of the fretting hand on high positions.
• Price. Basic capos are inexpensive and work fine. More expensive ones mostly add finer tension control, lighter materials and longer-lasting springs.

Using any capo well: place it just behind the fret wire, not in the middle of the fret, and squeeze only as hard as needed. Then check your tuning with the guitar tuner, because clamping pressure can nudge strings sharp.

Browse capos on Amazon

These links open Amazon search results for each type. They carry no affiliate tag and we earn nothing from them. We haven't tested or ranked individual products. Disclosure policy.

• Guitar caposAll types, to compare prices and sizes
• Trigger (spring) caposFastest on and off, one hand
• Adjustable screw caposSet the exact tension
• Partial caposCover only some strings
• Classical guitar caposFor wide, flat nylon-string necks
• Ukulele caposSmaller, lighter clamp

Prices and availability change often, so compare a few listings, read the product's stated neck compatibility, and check the return policy.

Related

• Guitar chords for beginners: the open shapes to use with a capo.
• Chord progressions, playable in every key.
• All keys and their chords.
• Choosing a first instrument and the accessories that matter.

The capo chart and key table are computed from the chord shapes and checked by the same engine that draws every chord. Updated September 2026.