Paste a chord progression to get an estimated difficulty score, useful for gauging how hard a song will be to learn.
Each chord is scored by type: simple major and minor triads score lowest, chords like 7ths and sus chords score higher, and diminished, augmented, or extended chords (9th, 11th, 13th) score highest; chords built on roots that usually require a barre shape add an extra point. The average across all chords maps to an Easy, Moderate, Hard, or Very Hard estimate.
Chords (space or comma separated):
How the Score Is Estimated
Each chord is scored by type: simple major and minor triads score lowest, chords like 7ths and sus chords score higher, and diminished, augmented, or extended chords (9th, 11th, 13th) score highest; chords built on roots that usually require a barre shape add an extra point. The average across all chords maps to an Easy, Moderate, Hard, or Very Hard estimate.
How to Use This Calculator
- Type or paste the chord progression, separated by spaces or commas.
- Click Score It to see the per-chord breakdown and an overall difficulty estimate.
This is a rough estimate based on chord shape complexity, not a substitute for actually trying the progression; a simple chord played at a fast tempo or in an awkward strumming pattern can still be difficult in practice.
Worked Examples
An easy progression: G, D, Em, C. All four are open-position major and minor triads with no barre, so they score at the low end. Thousands of songs use this exact set, which is why it is the first thing many guitarists learn.
A harder progression: F, Bb, Gm, C7. The F and Bb chords usually need a barre, Gm is often played as a barre too, and C7 adds a seventh. Every one of those pushes the average score up, so the tool rates it harder. Add a diminished or extended chord such as F#dim or Cmaj9 and the estimate climbs again.
Why Some Chords Are Harder
- Barre chords: One finger presses all strings at once, which takes hand strength and precision that builds over weeks.
- Extra notes: Sevenths, ninths, and other extended chords add fingers and stretches.
- Unfamiliar shapes: Diminished and augmented chords have symmetrical shapes that do not resemble the ones beginners usually learn first.
- Fast changes: Even easy chords are hard if you have to switch every beat at a quick tempo.
Making a Hard Song Easier
A high score does not mean you cannot play the song. Try a capo to move the key so more chords become open shapes, and use the Capo Position Finder or the Chord Transposer to check the options. You can also simplify: replace a seventh or extended chord with the plain major or minor chord, or play just the top three or four strings of a barre chord. Learn one hard change at a time, slowly, and add the rest of the song around it.
Did You Know?
- Many hit songs use only three or four simple open chords, which is part of why they’re approachable for beginning guitarists.
- A capo can turn an otherwise barre-chord-heavy progression into an open-chord-friendly one in a different key.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this account for strumming pattern or tempo?
No, this scores chord shapes only. A song with easy chords but a fast or syncopated strumming pattern can still be challenging.
What chord formats does this recognize?
Standard chord names like C, Am, G7, F#dim, Bbsus4, and similar; use the root note followed by any quality (m, 7, sus, dim, aug, 9, etc.).
Is the difficulty score an official rating?
No. It is a rough estimate based on the chords you enter, and real difficulty also depends on your hand size, technique, and tempo.
How can I make a hard progression easier?
Try a capo, simpler chord voicings, or a different key. Practice the hardest chord change slowly first, then add the rest.