Song Key Finder
Drop in the song you want to sing or play and see what key it is in. Free, in your browser, no account, nothing uploaded.
How to find the key of a song you have as a file
- Drop in the file. Use an MP3, WAV, M4A or FLAC file, or an MP4 video. It is analyzed in your browser, so the file is not uploaded and you do not need an account.
- Read the key. You get a result like "A minor", plus the relative key (C major) and a confidence note. Use the confidence note: when it is low, trust your ear.
- Check it against your voice or instrument. Sing or play the root note, the one the song seems to rest on. If the phrase ends feel like arriving home, that is the key.
Why singers want the key
Most singers look up the key to answer one question: can I sing this where it is? A song written for a deep voice can sit too low for you, and one written for a high voice can strain you. Moving the whole song up or down by a few semitones fixes that without changing the melody.
Here is a rough way to think about it. Find the highest and lowest notes you can sing comfortably, then compare them with the highest and lowest notes of the melody. If the melody sits too high, move the song down. If it sits too low, move it up. Each semitone is one step on a piano, black keys included.
| If you want to move the song | Example, from A minor |
|---|---|
| Down 2 semitones | G minor |
| Down 3 semitones | F# minor |
| Up 2 semitones | B minor |
| Up 3 semitones | C minor |
Guitar, piano and ukulele players
If you play along, the key tells you which chords to expect. In A minor you will meet Am, Dm, Em, F, G and C a lot. Capo position matters too: a song in A minor played with the capo on the second fret uses shapes from G minor. Knowing the key first saves you from guessing.
How accurate is it?
Automatic key detection is a best guess. It works from the notes that appear most, and it usually gets the right pair of relative keys: A minor and C major use the same notes, so they can be mixed up. It can also be wrong when:
- the song changes key partway through,
- the music is modal or built on one repeated chord,
- the recording is tuned a little sharp or flat,
- the arrangement is very dense, with no clear bass or melody.
If the answer feels wrong, try the relative major or minor, and the key a fifth above or below, and listen again.
Make the song easier to work with
Once you know the key, you can get at the parts. The stem splitter separates a song into vocals, drums, bass, guitar, piano and everything else. The vocals file shows you the melody on its own, which helps when learning a line. The Karaoke Maker gives you the song without the singer, and the studio player can change speed without changing pitch and loop the section you keep missing.
Want the tempo too? Use the BPM finder. For a producer's view of the same tool, with Camelot codes for mixing, see the key finder.
FAQ
How do I find the key of a song I have as an MP3?
Drop the MP3 on this page. The key appears in a few seconds. Nothing is uploaded, and it is free.
Does it work with WAV, M4A and FLAC?
Yes. It also accepts MP4 video.
What is the relative key?
Every major key has a minor key with the same notes. C major and A minor are relatives. The result shows both because the tool can mix them up.
Can it tell me how to transpose a song for my voice?
It tells you the key. You decide how far to move it, using the table above as a guide: each semitone is one step. To change a song's pitch, use a DAW or app that can transpose.
Why does it disagree with the chord chart I found online?
Charts are written by people and sometimes use a capo or an easier key. The tool listens to the recording. If they differ, trust whichever fits your instrument and voice.
Is it accurate for songs that change key?
It reports the key that fits most of the song. A modulation in the last chorus will not be reflected.
Does the song key finder store my file?
No. The analysis runs in your browser and the file stays on your computer.