D Sus4
Open PositionThe classic open Dsus4 (x-x-0-2-3-3): D string open (D), index on the G string at fret 2 (A), ring on the B string at fret 3 (D), pinky on the high e at fret 3 (G). Strum from the D string.
D Sus4
5th Fret · A-Shape BarreMoveable A-shape sus4 rooted on D at the 5th fret — index barres fret 5 from the A string up, ring and pinky add the 4th and 5th at fret 7, pinky reaches G on the B string at fret 8. Mute the low E.
D Sus4
10th Fret · E-Shape BarreA fully moveable E-shape sus4 at the 10th fret — index barres all six strings at fret 10, ring and pinky add the 4th on the D and G strings at fret 12. Root D is on the low E string.
The most famous suspension
Lifting your pinky on and off the high e between D and Dsus4 is one of the best-known acoustic moves — hear the G fall to F#.
No 3rd means no mood
Because Dsus4 has no F# (the 3rd), it sounds tense and unresolved until it lands back on D major.
Let the D string ring
In the open shape the D string stays open as the root — strum from the D string and leave the low E and A muted.
Learn the moveable barre
The 10-10-12-12-10-10 E-shape is fully moveable: slide it down two frets for Csus4 or up for Esus4.
Watch the pinky stretch
In the A-shape barre the pinky reaches the B string at fret 8 — keep your thumb low behind the neck to make the reach.
About the Dsus4 Chord on Guitar
The Dsus4 chord is built from three notes: D (the root), G (the perfect 4th), and A (the perfect 5th). It is a D major triad with the 3rd suspended — the F# is replaced by the G a half step above it. With no 3rd, Dsus4 sounds tense and unresolved, which is exactly why the open D → Dsus4 → D move is one of the most recognisable flourishes in acoustic guitar. This page covers three voicings, from the classic open shape to a moveable A-shape barre and an E-shape barre up the neck. Every diagram is interactive and playable with acoustic guitar sound.
- 013 Dsus4 chord shapes from beginner to advanced
- 02Interactive diagrams — click Play to hear each chord
- 03Acoustic guitar sound via audio engine
- 04Classic open voicing, moveable A-shape barre, and an E-shape barre
- 05Difficulty rating on every shape
- 06Free — no sign-up or download needed
ANATOMY
Chord Tones
The 3 notes that form the D 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-x-0-2-3-3: D string open, index on the G string at fret 2, ring on the B string at fret 3, pinky on the high e at fret 3. Strum from the D string.
D major is D, F#, and A. Dsus4 swaps the F# (3rd) for G (4th), giving D, G, and A. The 4th makes Dsus4 sound tense until it resolves to D.
No. Dsus4 replaces the 3rd with the 4th (D, G, A), while Dsus2 replaces it with the 2nd (D, E, A). Sus4 sounds tense; sus2 sounds open and airy.
Dsus4 resolves naturally to D major and pairs with G, A, Bm, and Em. The D → Dsus4 → D suspension is a classic.