F sus2 (Fsus2) chord on guitar

Sus2 chord (a major second instead of the third) on F: the notes of the Fsus2 chord are F – G – C.

Dots show:

Easy versioneasy

Open positionmedium

D shape, fret 3medium

Position 5medium

A shape, fret 8medium

Position 12medium

Tap a string on a diagram to hear just that string. The sound is generated in your browser with a physical string model.

Chord finder Transposer Tuner

What the Fsus2 chord sounds like

In a sus2 chord a major second replaces the third, so it is neither major nor minor: it sounds open and floating. It often decorates a major or minor chord.

Notes of the Fsus2 chord

Degree	Note	Interval from the root
1	F	root
2	G	major second (2 semitones)
5	C	perfect fifth (7 semitones)

How to play it – with fingering

Easy version, barre at fret 1

String 1 (e): fret 1, index finger (F4)
String 2 (B): fret 1, index finger (C4)
String 3 (G): open (G3)
String 4 (D): fret 3, ring finger (F3)
String 5 (A): not played
String 6 (E): not played

For the barre, lay your index finger flat across all the marked strings at fret 1; your other fingers press the higher frets.

Open position

String 1 (e): fret 1, middle finger (F4)
String 2 (B): fret 1, middle finger (C4)
String 3 (G): open (G3)
String 4 (D): fret 3, ring finger (F3)
String 5 (A): fret 3, ring finger (C3)
String 6 (E): fret 1, index finger (F2)

D shape, fret 3

String 1 (e): fret 3, middle finger (G4)
String 2 (B): fret 6, little finger (F4)
String 3 (G): fret 5, ring finger (C4)
String 4 (D): fret 3, index finger (F3)
String 5 (A): not played
String 6 (E): not played

The “C, A, G, E and D shapes” are the CAGED system: you slide the shape of the open C, A, G, E or D chord up the neck and your index finger (a barre) takes over the job of the nut. That way the same chord can be played in five places, anywhere on the fretboard.

Tuning: E A D G B E (low to high). String 6 is the thickest, the low E. In the diagram, × means the string is not played, and a circle means an open string.

Playing Fsus2 with a capo

A capo clamps all the strings at one fret, so a familiar open shape sounds higher. You can also get a Fsus2 chord with these open shapes:

Capo: fret 3
shape: Dsus2

Capo: fret 5
shape: Csus2

Rework a whole song for a capo: chord transposer →

Which keys is it in?

The Fsus2 chord is built from the notes of these keys (for minor keys, both the natural and the harmonic minor are considered):

F major: Isus2 (tonic)
F minor: Isus2 (tonic)
B♭ major: Vsus2 (dominant)
C major: IVsus2 (subdominant)
C minor: IVsus2 (subdominant)
A♭ major: VIsus2
E♭ major: IIsus2
G minor: VIIsus2
D minor: IIIsus2
A minor: VIsus2

Similar chords and substitutes

If Fsus2 is too hard, or you want a different colour in the same spot, these chords are worth a try.

Substitutes (by function)

F – resolves the suspension to major
Fm – or to minor

Same notes

Csus4 – the same notes with a different root

Simpler versions

F5 – all 2 of its notes are in this chord

Richer versions

Fadd9 – the same chord plus 1 colour note
F9 – the same chord plus 2 colour notes
Fm9 – the same chord plus 2 colour notes
Fmaj9 – the same chord plus 2 colour notes

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the Fsus2 chord?

F, G, C. The root is F; the intervals of the other notes from the root: major second, perfect fifth.

What is the easiest way to play Fsus2 on guitar?

The easiest shape above is “Easy version”, rated easy. We show 6 shapes, from open and easy versions to movable barre shapes higher up the neck. With a capo you can also play it as a Dsus2 shape at fret 3 or a Csus2 shape at fret 5.

How do I read the chord diagram?

Strings run from the lowest (left) to the highest (right) – tick “Left-handed” to mirror it. Rows are frets; a number at the side shows the starting fret. Dots are fingers (1 index, 2 middle, 3 ring, 4 little), a long bar is a barre, × means don't play that string and ○ means play it open.

How is the Fsus2 chord written?

The chord symbol is Fsus2, and its full name is F sus2.