A Sus4
Open PositionThe open Asus4 (x-0-2-2-3-0): A string open (A), index on the D string at fret 2 (E), middle on the G string at fret 2 (A), ring on the B string at fret 3 (D), high e open (E). Strum from the A string.
A Sus4
5th Fret · E-Shape BarreMoveable E-shape sus4 rooted on A at the 5th fret — index barres all six strings at fret 5, ring and pinky add the 4th on the D and G strings at fret 7. Root A is on the low E string.
A Sus4
12th Fret · A-Shape BarreMoveable A-shape sus4 rooted on A at the 12th fret — index barres fret 12 from the A string up, ring and pinky add the 4th and 5th at fret 14, pinky reaches D on the B string at fret 15. Mute the low E.
Hear the suspension
Play A major, then Asus4, then back to A. The D in Asus4 wants to fall to the C# of A major — lifting one finger releases the tension.
From A to Asus4
Asus4 is just A major with the ring finger added on the B string at fret 3 — an easy way to colour a held A chord.
Let the open strings ring
In the open shape the A and high e strings stay open — strum from the A string and leave the low E muted.
Learn the moveable barre
The 5-5-7-7-5-5 E-shape is fully moveable: slide it down for Gsus4 or up for any sus4 higher on the neck.
Resolve to A major
Asus4 is most satisfying when it lands on plain A — practise the release so the D falls cleanly to C#.
About the Asus4 Chord on Guitar
The Asus4 chord is built from three notes: A (the root), D (the perfect 4th), and E (the perfect 5th). It is an A major triad with the 3rd suspended — the C# is replaced by the D a half step above it. With no 3rd, Asus4 sounds tense and unresolved, which is why the A → Asus4 → A move is such a common strumming flourish. Because A uses the open A and high e strings, it has an easy, ringing open voicing as well as moveable barre forms up the neck. This page covers three voicings, from the open shape to a moveable E-shape barre and an A-shape barre. Every diagram is interactive and playable with acoustic guitar sound.
- 013 Asus4 chord shapes from beginner to advanced
- 02Interactive diagrams — click Play to hear each chord
- 03Acoustic guitar sound via audio engine
- 04Simple open voicing, moveable E-shape barre, and an A-shape barre
- 05Difficulty rating on every shape
- 06Free — no sign-up or download needed
ANATOMY
Chord Tones
The 3 notes that form the A Sus4 chord and their role in the major scale.
Every major chord follows this same formula — root, major third, perfect fifth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Use the open shape x-0-2-2-3-0: A string open, index and middle on the D and G strings at fret 2, ring on the B string at fret 3, high e open. Strum from the A string.
A major is A, C#, and E. Asus4 swaps the C# (3rd) for D (4th), giving A, D, and E. The 4th makes Asus4 sound tense until it resolves to A.
No. Asus4 replaces the 3rd with the 4th (A, D, E), while Asus2 replaces it with the 2nd (A, B, E). Sus4 sounds tense; sus2 sounds open and airy.
Asus4 resolves naturally to A major and pairs with D, E, F#m, and Bm. The A → Asus4 → A suspension is a classic.