Csus4 chord on ukulele

Csus4 is C, F and G. The easiest shape is 0-0-1-3. Tap Play, then slow it down.

0-0-1-3 · open · easy

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

How to play Csus4 on ukulele

Shape 1, 0-0-1-3, reading from the G string on the left:

Index finger: E string, 1st fret (F).
Middle finger: A string, 3rd fret (C).
Let the open G and C strings ring (G and C).

Arch your fingers so their tips come down vertically. That keeps them off the open strings, which have to ring for the chord to sound complete.
On ukulele you strum all four strings. The top G string is tuned higher than the C, which is why ukulele chords sound bright and close.

Other ways to play Csus4

5-7-8-8: movable shape at the 5th fret, medium. A different set of strings gives a different color of the same chord.

Csus4 the capo way

No barre needed if a capo is allowed: capo on the 5th fret and play the open Gsus4 shape (0-2-3-3). The chord sounds as Csus4 because the capo raises every string by 5 half steps.

Changing from Csus4 to the chords around it

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 (0-0-1-3) to C (0-0-0-3): the index finger goes to the A string, 3rd fret. Listen for C and G, which stay put while the rest moves. C on ukulele
F (IV in C major): Csus4 (0-0-1-3) to F (2-0-1-0): your index finger stays put, your middle finger lands on the G string, 2nd fret. That makes it one of the quickest changes from this chord. The two chords share C and F, which is why the change sounds smooth. F on ukulele
G (V in C major): Csus4 (0-0-1-3) to G (0-2-3-2): move the index finger to the C string, 2nd fret, your middle finger lands on the A string, 2nd fret, the ring finger comes down on the E string, 3rd fret. Everything moves: lift the whole hand and place the new shape in one go. Listen for G, which stays put while the rest moves. G on ukulele

Csus4 lifts the third up to the fourth. All 3 notes of Csus4 fit on the ukulele's four strings, with one of them doubled. 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.

Getting Csus4 under your fingers

Arpeggiate 0-0-1-3 from the lowest string: G, C, F, C. Then strum it and listen for the same 4 notes together. Then switch to 5-7-8-8 and back four times without looking at your hand.

Keys and progressions with Csus4

Csus4 on guitar and piano

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

Related C chords on ukulele

Other suspended fourth chords

Csus4 on ukulele: questions

What notes are in Csus4 on ukulele?

C, F and G. In the 0-0-1-3 shape the strings play G (G string, open), C (C string, open), F (E string) and C (A string), so C is doubled.

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

0-0-1-3, the shape at the top of this page. It uses open strings, so there is no barre to press.

Is Csus4 a barre chord on ukulele?

Not in its common form: 0-0-1-3 needs no barre.

Which string does Csus4 start on?

In the 0-0-1-3 shape the lowest string you play is the G string, open, which is G, the perfect fifth.

Shapes and sound are generated from the notes C, F and G and tested automatically. Updated September 2026.