Dsus2 chord on guitar

Dsus2 is D, E and A. The easiest shape is x-x-0-2-3-0. Tap Play, then slow it down.

x-x-0-2-3-0 · open · easy

Notes: D · E · A
Formula: 1 · 2 · 5
First shape: x-x-0-2-3-0

How to play Dsus2 on guitar

Shape 1, x-x-0-2-3-0, reading from the low E string on the left:

Index finger: G string, 2nd fret (A).
Middle finger: B string, 3rd fret (D).
Let the open D and high E strings ring (D and E).
Don't play the low E and A strings: start your strum on the D string.

If an open string sounds dead, a fingertip is leaning on it. Come down more on the tips, with your knuckles bent.
Aim the strum at the thinner strings only; the lower ones are marked × for a reason.

Other ways to play Dsus2

x-5-7-7-5-5: barre shape at the 5th fret, medium. This is the open Asus2 shape with a barre behind it, root on the 5th string.
x-x-12-9-10-10: movable shape at the 9th fret, medium. A small shape for quick changes and a lighter sound.
x-x-12-14-15-12: movable shape at the 12th fret, medium. Only the thinner strings sound, which cuts through a band without getting muddy.

Dsus2 the capo way

No barre needed if a capo is allowed: capo on the 2nd fret and play the open Csus2 shape (x-3-0-0-3-3) or capo on the 5th fret and play the open Asus2 shape (x-0-2-2-0-0). The chord sounds as Dsus2 because the capo raises every string by 2 half steps.

Moving between Dsus2 and its neighbours

These are the changes you'll meet most often with Dsus2, using the first shape of each chord.

D (resolves up to the third): Dsus2 (x-x-0-2-3-0) to D (x-x-0-2-3-2): your index finger stays put, move the middle finger to the high E string, 2nd fret, the ring finger comes down on the B string, 3rd fret. The two chords share D and A, which is why the change sounds smooth. D on guitar
G (IV in D major): Dsus2 (x-x-0-2-3-0) to G (3-2-0-0-0-3): the index finger goes to the A string, 2nd fret, your middle finger lands on the low E string, 3rd fret, the ring finger comes down on the high E string, 3rd fret. No finger can stay, so practice lifting all of them together and landing the new shape as a unit. Listen for D, which stays put while the rest moves. G on guitar
A (V in D major): Dsus2 (x-x-0-2-3-0) to A (x-0-2-2-2-0): the index finger slides across to the D string at the same fret, the middle finger goes to the G string, 2nd fret, the ring finger comes down on the B string, 2nd fret. No finger can stay, so practice lifting all of them together and landing the new shape as a unit. E and A carry over from one chord to the other. A on guitar

Dsus2 replaces the third with the second, so it is neither major nor minor. The open second in Dsus2 usually rises to the third, so play Dsus2 then D and listen for it to settle. Play it once strummed and once picked to hear the difference.

A short Dsus2 drill

Before strumming, play x-x-0-2-3-0 note by note: D then A then D then E. A dead note tells you exactly which finger to fix. Finish by moving between x-x-0-2-3-0 and x-5-7-7-5-5 to learn two positions of the same chord.

Where Dsus2 shows up

Dsus2 on piano and ukulele

Switching instruments? Try Dsus2 on ukulele or Dsus2 on piano, or compare them on the Dsus2 chord page.

Related D chords on guitar

Other suspended second chords

Dsus2 on guitar: questions

What notes are in Dsus2 on guitar?

D, E and A. In the x-x-0-2-3-0 shape the strings play D (D string, open), A (G string), D (B string) and E (high E string, open), so D is doubled.

What's the easiest way to play Dsus2 on guitar?

x-x-0-2-3-0, the first shape on this page. No barre: some strings ring open.

Is Dsus2 a barre chord on guitar?

Not usually: x-x-0-2-3-0 needs no barre. The barre versions come later, higher on the neck.

Which string does Dsus2 start on?

In the x-x-0-2-3-0 shape the lowest string you play is the D string, open, which is D, the root. Skip the low E and A strings.

Every shape above plays only D, E and A, checked by the site's tests. Updated September 2026.