Song Keys for Max Participation
For maximum participation in worship, we need to sing songs in keys that the average singer can sing (more here). Too often, worship leaders produce a culture of spectators by singing in keys beyond the capabilities of the congregation. Below is a list of the current top 100 CCLI worship songs plus over 50 that have recently dropped out of the list. The Ideal Keys are the ones best suited for congregational singing of that song. The Key Range shows acceptable keys (lowest to highest), but may not be the best. LifeWayWorship.com has the songs available in the keys shown. An audio of every song is available to stream by clicking on the audio link (You will need a Spotify.com account to listen to this music (free). Criteria for determining the keys is located below the table.
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Columns are sortable by clicking on them. Note the search box in the upper right for finding a song quickly.
Explanation of symbols in this table
** Several songs are in a range much broader than is attainable by the average singer.
+ LifeWayWorship has often adapted these songs to maintain a singable range.
( ) Keys in parenthesis represent songs that have too wide a range, but the given key is closest to attainable.
Download a cheat sheet for your worship planning with all 175 songs printed on the front and back of one sheet.
Get a free eBook on selecting the best keys.
Click on any column to sort. Enter words in search box on top right to find songs quickly.
| Song | Rank | Ideal Keys | Key Range | LifeWay Worship | Web Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord) (Jonas Myrin, Matt Redman) | 4 | Eb, E | Eb-E | Eb, E | audio |
| Above All (Lenny LeBlanc, Paul Baloche) | 777 | Ab, A | G-A | G, A | audio |
| Agnus Dei (Michael W. Smith) | 777 | G, Ab, A | G-A | G, A | audio |
| Alive (Alexander Pappas, Aodhan King) | 69 | Bb | Bb | audio | |
| All Because Of Jesus (Steve Fee) | 777 | A, Bb | Ab-Bb | A, Bb | audio |
| All The Poor and Powerless (All Sons and Daughters) | 777 | F, G | D-Ab | G, Ab | audio |
| All Who Are Thirsty (Brenton Brown, Glenn Robertson) | 777 | F, G | Eb-G | F, G | audio |
| Always (Jason Ingram, Kristian Stanfill) | 777 | A | A | Ab, A | audio |
| Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone) (Chris Tomlin, Louie Giglio, John Newton) | 14 | D, Eb | D-Eb | D, Eb | audio |
| Anchor (Ben Fielding, Dean Ussher) | 777 | C | Bb-Db | C, D, E | audio |
| As The Deer (Martin Nystrom) | 777 | C, D | Bb-D | C, D | audio |
| At the Cross (Love Ran Red) (Chris Tomlin) | 42 | D, Eb | D-Eb | D, Eb | audio |
| At Your Name (Phil Wickham, Tim Hughes) | 777 | F, G | Eb-G | F, G | audio |
| Awesome God (Rich Mullins) | 777 | em, fm | cm-fm | em, fm | audio |
| Awesome Is The Lord Most High (Chris Tomlin, Jesse Reeves, Cary Pierce, Jon Abel) | 777 | F | Eb-G | F, G | audio |
| Beautiful One (Tim Hughes) | 777 | C | Bb-C# | C, D | audio |
| Because He Lives (Amen) (Matt Maher) | 72 | A | A-Bb | A, Bb | audio |
| Because He Lives (Gloria Gaither, William J. Gaither) | 77 | G, Ab | F-Ab | Ab | audio |
| Before the Throne of God Above** (Charitie Lees Bancroft, Vikki Cook) | 74 | (Db, D) | ** | C, D, Eb | audio |
| Better Is One Day (Matt Redman) | 777 | Eb | D-Eb | Eb, F | audio |
| Blessed Be Your Name (Beth Redman, Matt Redman) | 19 | Bb | A-Bb | A. Bb | audio |
| Break Every Chain (Will Reagan) | 92 | Bb | Bb | Bb, C | audio |
| Breathe (Marie Barnett) | 777 | G, Ab, A | G-Bb | G, A | audio |
| Broken Vessels (Amazing Grace) (Joel Houston, Jonas Myrin) | 57 | G, Ab | G-Ab | G, Ab, A | audio |
| Build My Life (Brett Younker, Karl Martin, Kirby Elizabeth Kaple, Matt Redman, Pat Barrett) | 25 | Eb, E, F | Eb-F | audio | |
| Build Your Kingdom Here (Rend Collective) | 54 | C, D | Bb-D | C, D | audio |
| Call Upon The Lord (Chris Brown, Steven Furtick) | 86 | (A) | ** | audio | |
| Came To My Rescue (Joel Davies, Marty Sampson, Dylan Thomas) | 777 | Bb | Bb | Bb, C | audio |
| Cannons (Phil Wickham) | 777 | E, F | C-F | E, F | audio |
| Chain Breaker (Jonathan Smith, Mia Fieldes, Zach Williams) | 75 | E, F | Eb-F# | F, G | audio |
| Christ Is Enough (Jonas Myrin, Reuben Morgan) | 55 | G, Ab | Eb-Ab | G, Ab | audio |
| Christ is Risen (Matt Maher) | 777 | Db, D | Bb-D | Eb | audio |
| Come As You Are (Ben Glover, David Crowder, Matt Maher) | 58 | A, Bb | A-Bb | A, Bb | audio |
| Come Now Is The Time To Worship (Brian Doerksen) | 56 | D, Eb | C-Eb | D, Eb | audio |
| Cornerstone** (Edward Mote, Eric Liljero, Jonas Myrin, Reuben Morgan, William Batchelder Bradbury) | 9 | (A) | ** | Ab, A | audio |
| Days Of Elijah (Robin Mark) | 67 | Ab, A | G-Bb | Ab, A | audio |
| Death Was Arrested (Adam Kersh, Brandon Coker, Heath Balltzg) | 44 | ** | ** | Ab, A, Bb | audio |
| Desert Song (Brooke Ligertwood) | 777 | bm, cm | bm-dm | cm, dm | audio |
| Do It Again (Chris Brown, Mack Brock, Matt Redman, Steven Furtick) | 38 | Eb, F | Eb-F# | Eb, F | audio |
| Draw Me Close (Kelly Carpenter) | 777 | Bb | A-Bb | A, Bb | audio |
| Enough (Chris Tomlin, Louie Giglio) | 777 | F, G | F-G | G, Ab | audio |
| Even So Come (Chris Tomlin, Jason Ingram, Jess Cates) | 68 | D, Eb | D-Eb | D, Eb | audio |
| Ever Be (Bethel Music) | 37 | D, Eb, E, F | D-F | D, Eb | audio |
| Everlasting God (Brenton Brown, Ken Riley) | 34 | Bb | A-Bb | A, Bb | audio |
| Fierce (Chris Quilala, Joshua Silverberg, Mia Fieldes) | 81 | A | A | A, Bb, C, D | audio |
| Forever (Chris Tomlin) | 45 | G | F-G | F, G | audio |
| Forever (We Sing Hallelujah) (Kari Jobe) | 50 | A | A | A, Ab | audio |
| Forever Reign (Reuben Morgan, Jason Ingram) | 36 | A, Bb, B, C | A-C | A, Bb | audio |
| Friend Of God (Michael Gungor, Israel Houghton) | 777 | Bb, B, C | Bb-C | Bb, C | audio |
| From The Inside Out (Joel Houston) | 85 | Bb | A-Bb | A, Bb | audio |
| Give Me Faith (Chris Brown, London Gatch, Mack Brock, Wade Joye) | 777 | E, F, G | D-G | E, F | audio |
| Give Thanks (Henry Smith) | 62 | F, G | F-G | F-G | audio |
| Give Us Clean Hands (Charlie Hall) | 777 | F | F-F# | F, G | audio |
| Glorious Day (Jason Ingram, Jonathan Smith, Kristian Stanfill, Sean Curran) | 18 | Bb | Bb | Bb, C | audio |
| Glorious Day (Living He Loved Me) (John Wilbur Chapman, Mark Hall, Michael Bleecker) | 82 | Ab, A | Ab-Bb | Ab, A | audio |
| Glory To God Forever (Steve Fee, Vicky Beeching) | 777 | Ab, A | G-A | A, Bb | audio |
| God Is Able (Ben Fielding, Reuben Morgan) | 94 | Ab, A | G-A | Ab, A | audio |
| God Of This City (Aaron Boyd, Richard Bleakley, Ian Jordan, Andrew McCann, Peter Kernaghan, Peter Comfort) | 777 | Bb | A-Bb | Ab, A | audio |
| God Of Wonders (Marc Byrd, Steve Hindalong) | 90 | F, G | F-G | F, G | audio |
| God's Not Dead (Like a Lion) (Daniel Bashta) | 777 | F, G | D-G | F, G | audio |
| Good Good Father (Chris Tomlin) | 5 | F, G | Eb-G | F, G | audio |
| Grateful (Chris Brown, Matthew Ntlele, Stefan Green, Steven Furtick) | 93 | Eb, E, F | Bb-F# | audio | |
| Great Are You Lord (David Leonard, Jason Ingram, Leslie Jordan) | 2 | E, F | D-F | E, F | audio |
| Great I Am (Jared Anderson) low note adapted | 52 | Bb | Bb | Bb, C | audio |
| Great Is Thy Faithfulness (Thomas Obediah Chisholm, William Marion Runyan) | 98 | C, D | Bb-D | D, Eb , C-D | audio |
| Hallelujah (Brenton Brown, Brian Doerksen) | 777 | G, Ab, A | Eb-A | G, Ab | audio |
| Happy Day** (Ben Cantelon, Tim Hughes) | 777 | (Bb) | (Bb) | Bb, C | audio |
| He Is Exalted (Twila Paris) | 777 | Eb, F | Eb-F | Eb-F, F, G | audio |
| He Knows My Name (Tommy Walker) | 777 | D, Eb, E | D-F | D, Eb | audio |
| Here As In Heaven (Chris Brown, Mack Brock, Matthew Ntlele, Steven Furtick, Wade Joye) | 84 | (Bb) | ** | audio | |
| Here for You** (Jesse Reeves, Matt Maher, Matt Redman, Tim Wanstall) | 70 | ** | ** | G, Ab (adapted) | audio |
| Here I Am To Worship (Tim Hughes) | 20 | E, F | Eb-F | Eb, F | audio |
| Holy Is The Lord (Chris Tomlin, Louie Giglio) | 59 | F, G | F-G | F, G | audio |
| Holy Spirit (Bryan Torwalt, Katie Torwalt) | 10 | Eb, E, F | D-G | D, E | audio |
| Hosanna (Brooke Ligertwood) | 61 | E, F | D-F | E, F | audio |
| Hosanna (Praise Is Rising) (Paul Baloche, Brenton Brown) | 39 | F, G | F-G | F, G | audio |
| How Can I Keep From Singing (Chris Tomlin, Ed Cash, Matt Redman) | 777 | E, F | Eb-F | Eb-F | audio |
| How Deep The Father's Love For Us (Stuart Townend) | 28 | E, F, G | D-G | F, G | audio |
| How Great Is Our God (Chris Tomlin, Jesse Reeves, Ed Cash) | 11 | Ab, A, Bb | G-Bb | A. Bb | audio |
| How Great Thou Art (Stuart Wesley Keene Hine) | 24 | A | A-Bb | A, Bb | audio |
| How He Loves** (John Mark McMillan) | 40 | (A, Bb) | ** | A, Bb | audio |
| Hungry (Kathryn Scott) | 777 | D | D | C, D | audio |
| I Could Sing Of Your Love Forever (Martin Smith) | 777 | Eb, F | D-F | Eb, F | audio |
| I Give You My Heart (Reuben Morgan) | 777 | F, G | Eb-A | F, G | audio |
| I Love You Lord (Laurie Klein) | 96 | Eb, E, F, G | Eb-Ab | Eb-F | audio |
| I Surrender (Matt Crocker) | 777 | D | D | audio | |
| I Will Follow (Reuben Morgan, Chris Tomlin, Jason Ingram) | 99 | E, F | Eb-F | E, F | audio |
| I Will Rise (Chris Tomlin, Louie Giglio, Jesse Reeves, Matt Maher) | 777 | G | F-Ab | G, Ab | audio |
| I'll Fly Away (Brad Henderson) | 777 | F, G | Eb-G | F, G | audio |
| In Christ Alone (Stuart Townend, Keith Getty) | 13 | Eb | D-Eb | D, Eb | audio |
| Indescribable (Laura Story) | 777 | F, G | Eb-G | F, G | audio |
| It is Well (Kristene DiMarco, Bethel Music) | 53 | A | A-C | G, A | audio |
| Jesus (Chris Tomlin, Ed Cash) | 80 | Eb, F | Bb-F# | Eb, F | audio |
| Jesus Loves Me (Chris Tomlin) | 777 | A, Bb | A-Bb | A, Bb | audio |
| Jesus Messiah (Chris Tomlin, Daniel Carson, Jesse Reeves, Ed Cash) | 31 | G | F-G | F, G | audio |
| Jesus Paid It All (Alex Nifong, Elvina M. Hall, John Thomas Grape) | 49 | Bb | A-Bb | A, Bb | audio |
| Jesus We Love You (Hannah McClure, Kalley Heilingenthal, Paul McClure) | 63 | G, A | C-A | F, G, A, B | audio |
| Jesus, Son of God** (Chris Tomlin, Jason Ingram, Matt Maher) | 777 | (Ab) | ** | G, Ab | audio |
| Joy To The World (Unspeakable Joy) (Chris Tomlin, Ed Cash, Matt Gilder, Isaac Watts, George Frederic Handel) | 48 | A, Bb | A-Bb | A, B | audio |
| King of My Heart (John Mark McMillan, Sarah McMillan) | 12 | ** | ** | A, Bb | audio |
| Lay Me Down** (Chris Tomlin, Jason Ingram, Jonas Myrin, Matt Redman) | 777 | (Ab, A) | ** | Ab, A | audio |
| Lead Me To The Cross (Brooke Ligertwood) | 88 | cm, dm | bm-dm | cm, dm | audio |
| Look To The Son (Joel Houston, Marty Sampson, Matt Crocker, Reuben Morgan, Scott Ligertwood) | 777 | Ab | Ab | audio | |
| Lord I Lift Your Name On High (Rick Founds) | 78 | G | F-G | F, G | audio |
| Lord I Need You** (Christy Nockels, Daniel Carson, Jesse Reeves, Kristian Stanfill, Matt Maher) | 8 | (A, Bb) | ** | Bb, B | audio |
| Lord Reign In Me (Brenton Brown) | 777 | Bb, B | Ab-C | Bb, C | audio |
| Love Came Down (Brian Johnson, Ian McIntosh, Jenn Johnson, Jeremy Edwardson, Jeremy Riddle) | 777 | A | A | G, Ab | audio |
| Love The Lord (Lincoln Brewster) | 777 | F, G | Eb-G | F, G | audio |
| Majesty (Jack Hayford) | 777 | Ab, A, Bb | G-Bb | Ab, Bb | audio |
| Man of Sorrows (Brooke Ligertwood, Matt Crocker) | 76 | C, D | Bb-D | C, D | audio |
| Marvelous Light (Charlie Hall) | 777 | B, Bb | B-Bb | Ab,Bb | audio |
| Mighty To Save (Ben Fielding, Reuben Morgan) | 23 | G, Ab | F-Ab | G, Ab | audio |
| My Heart is Yours (Brett Younker, Daniel Carson, Jason Ingram, Judson Wheeler Van DeVenter, Kristian Stanfill, Winfield Scott Weeden) | 777 | E, F | C-F | E, F | audio |
| My Savior My God (Aaron Shust, Dorothy Dora Greenwell) | 777 | Bb, C | A-C | Bb, C | audio |
| Never Gonna Stop Singing (Matt Vaughan, Ran Jackson, Tom Smith) | 777 | F, G | Eb-A | audio | |
| Never Once (Jason Ingram, Matt Redman, Tim Wanstall) | 777 | A | A | Ab, A | audio |
| No Longer Slaves (Bethel Music) | 15 | Eb, E, F | D-F | Eb, F, G | audio |
| Nothing Is Impossible (Joth Hunt) | 777 | E, F | D-F# | E, F | audio |
| O Come to the Altar (Chris Brown, Mack Brock, Steven Furtick, Wade Joy | 7 | F, G | Eb-A | F, G | audio |
| O Praise Him (David Crowder) | 777 | G, Ab, A | F-A | G, A | audio |
| O Praise The Name (Anastasis) (Benjamin Hastings, Dean Ussher, Marty Sampson) | 21 | A, Bb | A-Bb | Ab, A | audio |
| Oceans (Where Feet May Fail) (Joel Houston, Matt Crocker, Salomon Lightelm) | 32 | Eb | D-F | D, Eb | audio |
| Offering (Paul Baloche) | 777 | E, F | Eb-G | F, G | audio |
| One Thing Remains** (Your Love Never Fails) (Brian Johnson, Christa Black, Jeremy Riddle) | 26 | (Ab) | (Ab) | G, Ab | audio |
| Only King Forever (Chris Brown, Mack Brock, Steven Furtick, Wade Joye) | 29 | A | A | Ab, A | audio |
| Open The Eyes Of My Heart (Paul Baloche) | 41 | D, Eb, E | D-E | D, Eb | audio |
| Open Up the Heavens (Andi Rozier, James McDonald, Jason Ingram, Meredith Andrews, Stuart Garrard) | 27 | C | C-D | Bb, C | audio |
| Our God (Matt Redman, Chris Tomlin, Jonas Myrin, Jesse Reeves) | 22 | G, Ab | G-Ab | G, Ab | audio |
| Our God Saves (Paul Baloche, Brenton Brown) | 777 | D | D | C, D | audio |
| Overcome (John Egan) | 79 | G, Ab | G-Ab | G, Ab | audio |
| Reckless Love (Caleb Culver, Cory Asbury, Ran Jackson) | 17 | C, Db, D | Bb-D | C, D, (Eb, F, G) | audio |
| Resurrecting (Chris Brown, Mack Brock, Matthew Ntlele, Steven Furtick, Wade Joye) | 43 | A, Bb | A-Bb | G, A, Bb, C, Db | audio |
| Revelation Song (Jennie Lee Riddle) | 16 | D | C-D | C, D | audio |
| Sanctuary (John W. Thompson, Randy Scruggs) | 777 | D, Eb, E | C-F | D | audio |
| Set a Fire (Will Reagan) | 777 | F, G, Ab, A | Db-Bb | F, G | audio |
| Shine Jesus Shine (Graham Kendrick) | 777 | Ab, A | Ab-A | Ab, A | audio |
| Shout To The Lord (Darlene Zschech) | 60 | Bb, B | Bb-B | Ab | audio |
| Sing Sing Sing (Chris Tomlin, Jesse Reeves, Matt Gilder, Daniel Carson, Travis Nunn) | 777 | F, G | E-Ab** | F, G | audio |
| Sing to the King (Billy Foote, Charles Silvester Horne) | 97 | Eb, E, F | Eb-G | Eb, F | audio |
| Sinking Deep (Aodhan King, Joel Davies) | 777 | F, G | F-G | D, E, F, G, A | audio |
| So Will I (100 Billion X) (Benjamin Hastings, Joel Houston, Michael Fatkin) | 100 | Eb, F | D-F | Eb, F | audio |
| Stronger (Ben Fielding, Reuben Morgan) | 777 | Bb, B, C | Bb-C | Bb, C | audio |
| The Heart Of Worship (Matt Redman) | 91 | Eb | C-F | Eb, F | audio |
| The Lion and the Lamb (Brenton Brown, Brian Johnson, Leeland Mooring) | 6 | ** | ** | Eb, F (adapted) | audio |
| The Lord Our God (Jason Ingram, Kristian Stanfill) | 777 | A | A-Bb | Ab, A | audio |
| The Stand (Joel Houston) | 46 | A | A | Ab, A | audio |
| The Wonderful Cross (Jesse Reeves, Chris Tomlin, J. D. Walt, Isaac Watts, Lowell Mason) | 87 | C, D | C-D | C, D | audio |
| This I Believe (The Creed) (Ben Fielding, Matt Crocker) | 30 | F, G | Eb - Ab | F, G | audio |
| This Is Amazing Grace (Jeremy Riddle, Josh Farro, Phil Wickham) | 3 | Eb, E, F | C-F# | Eb, F | audio |
| Today Is The Day (Lincoln Brewster, Paul Baloche) | 777 | Bb, B | Bb-B | Bb, C | audio |
| Trading My Sorrows (Darrell Evans) | 777 | G, Ab, A | F-A | G, A | audio |
| Tremble (Andres Figueroa, Hank Bentley, Mariah McManus, Mia Fieldes) | 64 | C, D | C, D | C, D, Eb | audio |
| Unstoppable God (Elevation Worship) | 47 | E, F, G | D-G | [E, F, G] | audio |
| Victory In Jesus (Eugene M. Bartlett) | 777 | F | Eb-F# | F, G | audio |
| Waiting Here for You (Chris Tomlin, Jesse Reeves, Martin Smith) | 777 | Eb, F | Eb-G | Eb, F | audio |
| Wake (Alexander Pappas, Hannah Hobbs, Joel Davies) | 777 | Eb, F | D-F | D, Eb, F, G | audio |
| We Believe** (Matthew Hooper, Richie Fike, Travis Ryan) | 65 | ** | ** | F, G (adapted) | audio |
| We Fall Down (Chris Tomlin) | 89 | Eb, E, F | D-F | Eb, F | audio |
| What A Beautiful Name (Ben Fielding, Brooke Ligertwood) | 1 | D, Eb, E | D-F# | D, Eb | audio |
| Whom Shall I Fear (God of Angel Armies)** (Chris Tomlin, Ed Cash, Scott Cash) | 73 | (Ab, A) | ** | G, Ab | audio |
| Wonderful Merciful Savior (Dawn Rodgers, Eric Wyse) | 777 | Bb, C | Bb-C | Ab, Bb | audio |
| Worthy Is The Lamb (Darlene Zschech) | 777 | A, Bb | A-Bb | G, A | audio |
| You Are Good (Brian Johnson, Jeremy Riddle) | 777 | G, Ab | G-Ab | Ab, A | audio |
| You Are Good (Israel Houghton) | 777 | Eb, E, F | D-F | D, Eb | audio |
| You Are Holy (Prince Of Peace) (Marc Imboden, Tammi Rhoton) | 777 | E, F | E-F | F, G | audio |
| You Are My All In All (Dennis Jernigan) | 83 | F, G | Eb-G | F, G | audio |
| You Are My King (Amazing Love) (Billy Foote) | 51 | D, Eb | D-F | D, Eb | audio |
| You Make Me Brave (Amanda Cook) | 777 | Eb, E, F | Eb-G | [D, Eb, E, F] | audio |
| You Never Let Go (Matt Redman, Beth Redman) | 777 | A, Bb | A-Bb | A, Bb | audio |
| You're Worthy Of My Praise (David Ruis) | 777 | Eb, E, F | Eb-F | Eb, F | audio |
| Your Grace Is Enough (Matt Maher) | 35 | E, F | Eb-F | Eb, F | audio |
| Your Great Name (Krissy Nordhoff, Michael Neale) | 66 | A, Bb | Ab-Bb | Bb, C | audio |
| Your Love Awakens Me (Chris Quilala, Phil Wickham) | 33 | ** | ** | B | audio |
| Your Love Never Fails (Anthony Skinner, Chris McClarney) | 71 | F | Eb-F | F, G | audio |
| Your Name (Paul Baloche, Glenn Packiam) | 95 | Ab, A, Bb | G-Bb | Ab, Bb | audio |
Criteria for determining congregationally friendly keys:
- The range should fit an average singer. The highest note should be a D with an occasional Eb allowable. The lowest note should be an A.
- For songs with a small range that could be sung in a wide range of keys, the character of the song and the composer’s original key were considered to preserve the intended feel of the song.
- Songs with a high tessitura may be pitched a bit lower even if the top note is a D.
- A few songs on the list have ranges beyond the scope of an average singer (noted with a ** beside the title). Those key suggestions are noted in parentheses with the best key(s) possible with the understanding that there are outliers in the melody.
- I did not list choice keys in C# or F#, but if choice keys are on either side of one of these, you can certainly choose those keys.