C Sus2
Open PositionA low Csus2 (x-3-0-0-1-3): middle on the A string at fret 3 (C), D and G strings open (D and G), index on the B string at fret 1 (C), pinky on the high e at fret 3 (G). Mute the low E.
C Sus2
3rd Fret · A-Shape BarreMoveable A-shape sus2 rooted on C at the 3rd fret — index barres fret 3 from the A string up, ring and pinky add D and G at fret 5. Mute the low E. Slide this shape to play any sus2.
C Sus2
Top-Four-String VoicingA compact voicing on the top four strings around fret 7–10 — root C on the D string at fret 10, D on the G string at fret 7, G on the B string at fret 8, and D on the high e at fret 10.
Hear the suspension
Play C major, then Csus2, then back to C. The D in Csus2 wants to fall to the E of C major — that pull is the whole point of a suspended chord.
No 3rd means no mood
Because Csus2 has no E (the 3rd), it sounds neither happy nor sad. Use it where you want an open, ringing colour that does not commit.
Let the open strings ring
In the open shape the D and G strings stay open — arch your fingers so they sound cleanly and keep the chord bright.
Learn the moveable A-shape
The x-3-5-5-3-3 barre form is fully moveable: slide it up two frets for Dsus2 or down to fret 1 for B♭sus2.
Mute the low E
Most Csus2 voicings start from the A string. Let the side of your index finger rest against the low E to keep it quiet.
About the Csus2 Chord on Guitar
The Csus2 chord is built from three notes: C (the root), D (the major 2nd), and G (the perfect 5th). It is a C major triad with the 3rd suspended — the E is replaced by the D a whole step above the root. With no 3rd, Csus2 sounds open, ringing, and neither major nor minor, which is why it is so often used as a bright colour before resolving back to plain C major. This page covers three voicings, from a low open shape to a fully moveable A-shape barre and a top-four-string form. Every diagram is interactive and playable with acoustic guitar sound.
- 013 Csus2 chord shapes from beginner to advanced
- 02Interactive diagrams — click Play to hear each chord
- 03Acoustic guitar sound via audio engine
- 04Open voicing, moveable A-shape barre, and a top-four-string form
- 05Difficulty rating on every shape
- 06Free — no sign-up or download needed
ANATOMY
Chord Tones
The 3 notes that form the C Sus2 chord and their role in the major scale.
Every major chord follows this same formula — root, major third, perfect fifth.