How the key finder works
It measures how much energy the track has at each of the 12 musical notes over time, ignoring which octave they are in, to build a fingerprint of the notes the music uses most. It then compares that fingerprint to the typical pattern of every major and minor key and shows the best match, plus the runners-up so you can see when it is a close call.
Relative keys: why “C major” and “A minor” are the same notes
Every major key shares its seven notes with a minor key three semitones down. C major and A minor use exactly the same white keys. A song can feel major or minor depending on which note feels like home, and a detector can only guess from the balance of the notes. If the result is a close call, try the relative key too. For autotune, either one works, because the note set is identical.
What the Camelot code is for
DJs label keys on a wheel (1A to 12B) so they can see which songs mix harmonically. Neighbouring numbers, or the same number with the other letter, sound good together. The finder shows the code next to the key so you can sort a crate or a beat folder by it.
Using the key with your vocal
- Autotune: set the scale to the detected key. Notes outside the scale get pulled to the nearest note inside it. See autotune for rap vocals for settings.
- Toplines and ad-libs: sing or hum notes from the key, and use the chord finder to see what chords the beat plays.
- Harmonies: stack thirds and fifths above your lead using the same scale.
When the result can be wrong
- Beats that are mostly drums and 808 with no melody give little to work with.
- Tracks that change key part-way (modulations) are summarised as one key.
- Heavily detuned or atonal sounds, and some blues-style tracks that mix major and minor, are ambiguous by nature.
Like this? Let Tunedzy do the fixing.
These tools tell you what is going on. Tunedzy acts on it: it cleans, tunes to your beat’s key, fits the flow, matches an artist’s style and masters the result on your own PC. Free.
Frequently asked questions
How accurate is the key finder?
On music with a clear melody or chords it usually agrees with other key detectors, including picking the relative key. It is weaker on drum-heavy beats with little melody, and it shows its confidence so you know.
Can it find the key of an acapella vocal?
It can give a rough answer from the notes sung, but a full beat or chord part is far more reliable.
What if my vocal sounds off after tuning to this key?
Try the relative key, or turn the amount of correction down. If the beat itself changes key, tune each section separately.
Is my audio uploaded anywhere?
No. Everything runs in your browser.
More free tools
BPM Finder
Drop in a song or beat, get the tempo. Includes tap tempo.
Chord Finder
See the chord progression and the loop it repeats.
Vocal Checker
Spot clipping, noise, rumble and level problems.