Written by Daniel Murphy | Last updated: June 2026
Purpose of This Website
GuitarChordIdentifier.com is a free, browser-based tool and educational resource for identifying guitar chords from fret and string input or from live microphone audio. The site is operated by Daniel Murphy, guitar theory educator and audio analysis developer.
By accessing or using any page or tool on GuitarChordIdentifier.com, you agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions. If you do not agree to these terms, please do not use this site.
These terms apply to all visitors and users of GuitarChordIdentifier.com, regardless of how you access the site or which device you use.
Use of the Tools
Fret input mode The fret input chord identifier requires no microphone permission and captures no audio. You select fret and string positions on the virtual fretboard and the tool performs all calculations locally in your browser using JavaScript. No data is transmitted to any server. The tool is calibrated for standard tuning (EADGBe). Use in alternate tunings or with a capo will produce incorrect identifications as documented in the tool limitations.
Microphone chord detection mode The microphone mode requires microphone access to capture live guitar audio for polyphonic chord detection. By granting microphone permission when prompted by your browser, you authorise the site to capture a live audio stream for the sole purpose of performing chord identification. This audio stream is processed entirely within your browser, is never transmitted to any server, and is never stored in any form. Full details of how guitar audio is handled are documented on the Data Security page.
Permitted use You may use both chord identification modes and all content on GuitarChordIdentifier.com for personal, educational, and professional reference purposes. You may share links to pages on this site freely.
Prohibited use You may not:
- Scrape, copy, reproduce, or republish the content of this site without written permission from Daniel Murphy
- Use automated tools to access the site in a manner that places unreasonable load on the server
- Attempt to interfere with, disable, or circumvent any security feature of this site
- Misrepresent the source of this site’s content or present it as your own work
- Use this site in any way that violates applicable local, national, or international law
Tool Accuracy and Limitations
The fret input mode produces chord identifications that are highly accurate for correct input in standard tuning. Accuracy depends entirely on the correctness of the fret positions entered. Alternate tunings and capo positions are not currently supported.
The microphone mode produces chord identifications using polyphonic pitch detection. Accuracy for simple triads with clean tone is approximately 80–90%. For complex voicings and distorted tone, accuracy is lower. The half-period detection errors that affect monophonic pitch detection tools also affect polyphonic detection, and harmonic series interference is an additional source of error specific to polyphonic guitar audio.
Both modes are provided as educational and reference resources — not as certified identification instruments. Results should not be used as the sole basis for any professional, commercial, or legal decision without independent verification.
Full technical documentation of both pipelines, accuracy figures, and known limitations is available on the How It Works page. Guidance on unexpected results is on the Troubleshooting page.
No Professional Advice
Nothing on GuitarChordIdentifier.com constitutes professional music instruction, professional composition advice, professional audio engineering services, or any other form of regulated or certified professional service.
Content on this site is provided for educational and informational purposes only. Daniel Murphy does not accept professional responsibility for decisions made on the basis of information or tool results obtained from this site.
Acceptable Use
You agree to use GuitarChordIdentifier.com only for lawful purposes and in a manner that does not infringe the rights of others. In particular, you agree not to:
- Use this site to facilitate any activity that is unlawful in your jurisdiction
- Transmit any content through the contact form that is threatening, abusive, defamatory, or otherwise objectionable
- Attempt to gain unauthorised access to any part of this site or its underlying infrastructure
- Submit false or misleading information through the contact form
Daniel Murphy reserves the right to restrict access to this site for any user who violates these terms.
Intellectual Property
All original content on GuitarChordIdentifier.com — including written text, tool design, technical documentation, educational articles, and page structure — is the intellectual property of Daniel Murphy and is protected by applicable copyright law.
You may not reproduce, distribute, modify, or create derivative works from any content on this site without prior written permission from Daniel Murphy. Brief quotations for commentary, criticism, or educational reference are permitted provided the source is clearly attributed and a link to the original page is included.
The Web Audio API, browser technologies, and chord identification algorithms referenced on this site are the intellectual property of their respective owners and standards bodies. Guitar chord names, interval definitions, and music theory conventions are part of the public domain of musical knowledge.
Privacy and Cookies
Your use of GuitarChordIdentifier.com is also governed by the site’s Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy, which are incorporated into these Terms and Conditions by reference.
- Privacy Policy — what data this site collects and how it is used
- Cookie Policy — what cookies this site uses and how to manage them
By using this site, you acknowledge that you have read and understood both policies.
Limitation of Liability
To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Daniel Murphy and GuitarChordIdentifier.com shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, or special damages arising from:
- Use of or inability to use this site or its tools
- Reliance on any chord identification result, guitar theory information, or educational content published on this site
- Any decision — professional, commercial, creative, or personal — made on the basis of content or tool results obtained from this site
- Interruption, suspension, or termination of access to this site
- Any security incident affecting data voluntarily submitted through the contact form
- Incorrect identification results caused by polyphonic detection limitations, harmonic interference, alternate tuning, or incorrect fret input
As GuitarChordIdentifier.com is a free service, the maximum liability of Daniel Murphy to any user shall not exceed zero.
External Links
GuitarChordIdentifier.com contains links to external websites for reference purposes — including guitar theory resources, music education materials, and browser documentation. Daniel Murphy does not endorse, control, or accept responsibility for the content, accuracy, privacy practices, or availability of any external site. Accessing external sites via links on this site is entirely at your own risk.
Governing Law
These Terms and Conditions are governed by and construed in accordance with applicable law. Any dispute arising from your use of GuitarChordIdentifier.com shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts in the territory in which Daniel Murphy operates this site. If any provision of these terms is found to be unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.
Changes to These Terms
Daniel Murphy reserves the right to update these Terms and Conditions at any time. The current version is always published at this URL with the “Last updated” date shown above. Continued use of GuitarChordIdentifier.com after an update constitutes acceptance of the revised terms. Material changes — such as the introduction of advertising or paid services — will be announced on the site homepage before taking effect.
Contact
If you have questions about these Terms and Conditions or wish to request permission to reproduce content from this site, contact Daniel Murphy directly:
Email: contact@guitarchordidentifier.com Contact form: guitarchordidentifier.com/contact/
These Terms and Conditions apply to all pages and tools on GuitarChordIdentifier.com. Written by Daniel Murphy. Last updated: June 2026.