Csus4 chord on guitar

Csus4 is C, F and G. The usual shape is x-3-3-0-1-1. Play it once at full speed, then at a quarter to hear every note.

x-3-3-0-1-1 · open · medium

Notes: C · F · G
Formula: 1 · 4 · 5
First shape: x-3-3-0-1-1

How to play Csus4 on guitar

Shape 1, x-3-3-0-1-1, reading from the low E string on the left:

Put your index finger on the B string at the 1st fret, which is C.
Put your middle finger on the high E string at the 1st fret, which is F.
Put your ring finger on the A string at the 3rd fret, which is C.
Put your pinky finger on the D string at the 3rd fret, which is F.
The open G string adds G; don't touch it.
Skip the low E string and begin the strum from the A string.

If an open string sounds dead, a fingertip is leaning on it. Come down more on the tips, with your knuckles bent.
The pinky takes a note here. Keep it curved and close to the fretboard between chords so it has less distance to travel.

Other ways to play Csus4

8-10-10-10-8-8: barre shape at the 8th fret, medium. Built on the Esus4 open shape with the barre as a movable nut; the root is on the 6th string.
x-3-5-5-6-3: barre shape at the 3rd fret, medium. This is the open Asus4 shape with a barre behind it, root on the 5th string.
x-15-15-12-13-x: movable shape at the 12th fret, medium. A small shape for quick changes and a lighter sound.

Csus4 the capo way

A capo turns an open chord into Csus4: capo on the 3rd fret and play the open Asus4 shape (x-0-2-2-3-0). Handy when the rest of the song's chords also have open shapes in that position.

Csus4 chord changes

Songs rarely hold Csus4 for long. Here's what your hand does on the moves that come up most.

C (resolves down to the third): Csus4 (x-3-3-0-1-1) to C (x-3-2-0-1-0): your index and ring fingers stay put, move the middle finger to the D string, 2nd fret. An easy one to get up to speed. Shared notes: C and G. C on guitar
F (IV in C major): Csus4 (x-3-3-0-1-1) to F (1-3-3-2-1-1): your ring and pinky fingers stay put, the index finger lays across the low E to high E strings at the 1st fret, your middle finger lands on the G string, 2nd fret. Listen for C and F, which stay put while the rest moves. F on guitar
G (V in C major): Csus4 (x-3-3-0-1-1) to G (3-2-0-0-0-3): move the index finger to the A string, 2nd fret, your middle finger lands on the low E string, 3rd fret, the ring finger goes to the high E string, 3rd fret. Nothing carries over, so drill it slowly, lifting and landing all fingers at once. Shared note: G. G on guitar

Csus4 lifts the third up to the fourth. Csus4 holds the fourth where the third should be; drop it a half step or whole step into C or Cm to resolve. Play it once strummed and once picked to hear the difference.

Practice Csus4 in two minutes

Pick shape 1 one string at a time, low to high: C, F, G, C, F. Every note should ring clearly; if one thuds, adjust that finger before you strum. Finish by moving between x-3-3-0-1-1 and 8-10-10-10-8-8 to learn two positions of the same chord.

Csus4 in context

Csus4 on piano and ukulele

Switching instruments? Try Csus4 on ukulele or Csus4 on piano, or compare them on the Csus4 chord page.

Next to try on guitar

Other suspended fourth chords

Csus4 on guitar: questions

What notes are in Csus4 on guitar?

C, F and G. In the x-3-3-0-1-1 shape the strings play C (A string), F (D string), G (G string, open), C (B string) and F (high E string), so C and F are doubled.

What's the easiest way to play Csus4 on guitar?

The friendliest Csus4 shape is x-3-3-0-1-1. It uses 4 fingers and no barre, with open strings, and a capo is worth trying when the song allows.

Is Csus4 a barre chord on guitar?

Not the usual shape: x-3-3-0-1-1 needs no barre. There are barre versions further up the neck, shown below it.

Which string does Csus4 start on?

In the x-3-3-0-1-1 shape the lowest string you play is the A string at the 3rd fret, which is C, the root. Skip the low E string.

Every shape above plays only C, F and G, checked by the site's tests. Updated September 2026.