The Voice-Leading Calculator

Two chords of the same size in, every way their voices can pair up out, cheapest first. Each voice holds or steps, and the table counts the semitones.

First chord

Second chord

Rank the pairings

Write each chord as a lead sheet does: C, Am, Bb7, F#m7b5, Cmaj7/E. Both chords must hold the same number of notes; a triad pairs with a triad, a seventh chord with a seventh chord.

The pairings, cheapest first

C (C E G) to Am (A C E): 2 semitones at the least, with 2 common tones held and 1 voice stepping. One pairing of the 6 reaches that total.

Every pairing of C's voices with Am's notes, cheapest first

Rank	Semitones	Voice 1	Voice 2	Voice 3
1	2	C holds	E holds	G to A, +2
2	8	C holds	E to A, +5	G to E, -3
2	8	C to A, -3	E holds	G to C, +5
4	10	C to E, +4	E to C, -4	G to A, +2
4	10	C to A, -3	E to C, -4	G to E, -3
6	14	C to E, +4	E to A, +5	G to C, +5