Csus2 chord
Csus2 is C, D and G: 1–2–5 built on C. Below: guitar, piano and ukulele, each playable.
On guitar
x-3-5-5-3-3 · barre · medium
- Notes
- C · D · G
- Formula
- 1 · 2 · 5
- First shape
- x-3-5-5-3-3
Csus2 on guitar: every shape, finger by finger
On piano
root position · C–D–G · right hand 1-3-5
- Notes
- C · D · G
- Formula
- 1 · 2 · 5
Csus2 on piano: fingering and inversions
On ukulele
0-2-3-3 · open · easy
- Notes
- C · D · G
- Formula
- 1 · 2 · 5
- First shape
- 0-2-3-3
Where Csus2 usually goes next
Three changes cover most of what Csus2 does in songs.
- Csus2 → C (resolves up to the third)
Guitar: Csus2 (x-3-5-5-3-3) to C (x-3-2-0-1-0): move the index finger to the B string, 1st fret, move the middle finger to the D string, 2nd fret, your ring finger lands on the A string, 3rd fret. Everything moves: lift the whole hand and place the new shape in one go. The two chords share C and G, which is why the change sounds smooth.
Piano: Csus2 to C: play C in root position (C–E–G) and C and G stay under the same fingers, while D moves up to E. C - Csus2 → F (IV in C major)
Guitar: Csus2 (x-3-5-5-3-3) to F (1-3-3-2-1-1): the index finger lays across the low E to high E strings at the 1st fret, move the middle finger to the G string, 2nd fret, the ring finger goes to the A string, 3rd fret, the pinky finger comes down on the D string, 3rd fret. Nothing carries over, so drill it slowly, lifting and landing all fingers at once. C carries over from one chord to the other.
Piano: Csus2 to F: play F in 2nd inversion (C–F–A) and C stays under the same finger, while D moves up to F and G up to A. F - Csus2 → G (V in C major)
Guitar: Csus2 (x-3-5-5-3-3) to G (3-2-0-0-0-3): move the index finger to the A string, 2nd fret, move the middle finger to the low E string, 3rd fret, your ring finger lands on the high E string, 3rd fret. Everything moves: lift the whole hand and place the new shape in one go. The two chords share D and G, which is why the change sounds smooth.
Piano: Csus2 to G: play G in 1st inversion (B–D–G) and D and G stay under the same fingers, while C moves down to B. G
Guitar with a capo: capo 3, Asus2 shape. Ukulele with a capo: capo 5, Gsus2 shape.
How Csus2 is built
Csus2 replaces the third with the second, so it is neither major nor minor. It sounds open and airy, and it often resolves to C or Cm, or simply rings as a color of its own.
Count keys (black and white) from C: 2 half steps up to D then 5 half steps up to G.
| Note | Role | Half steps | Hear it |
|---|---|---|---|
| C | root | 0 | |
| D | major second | 2 | |
| G | perfect fifth | 7 |
Keys and progressions with Csus2
Csus2 isn't a chord of any major or natural minor key, so it usually appears as a passing or borrowed chord.
Chords close to Csus2
- Csus2 and C differ by one note: D in Csus2, E in C. They share C and G. C
- Csus2 and Csus4 differ by one note: D in Csus2, F in Csus4. They share C and G. Csus4
Chords that share most of their notes with Csus2: Gsus4, Cadd9, C9, C, Cm, Csus4.
Every C chord
Csus2 chord: questions
What notes are in the Csus2 chord?
C, D and G. Csus2 is built 1–2–5 from C: D is the major second and G is the perfect fifth.
How do you play Csus2 on guitar?
The usual shape is x-3-5-5-3-3 (barre). An easier version is x-3-0-0-1-x. All 4 guitar shapes.
How do you play Csus2 on piano?
Play C, D and G with right-hand fingers 1-3-5. C sits just left of the pair of black keys. Inversions and left hand.
How do you play Csus2 on ukulele?
0-2-3-3 in standard GCEA tuning. More ukulele shapes.
What key is Csus2 in?
Csus2 isn't a chord of any major or natural minor key, so it usually appears as a passing or borrowed chord.
What's the difference between Csus2 and C?
Csus2 and C differ by one note: D in Csus2, E in C. They share C and G.
Diagrams and sound come from the same data, tested so they match. Updated September 2026.