G Sus4
Open PositionA ringing open Gsus4 (3-3-0-0-1-3): middle on the low E at fret 3 (G), ring 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). Strum all six strings.
G Sus4
3rd Fret · E-Shape BarreMoveable E-shape sus4 rooted on G at the 3rd fret — index barres all six strings at fret 3, ring and pinky add the 4th on the D and G strings at fret 5. Root G is on the low E string.
G Sus4
10th Fret · A-Shape BarreMoveable A-shape sus4 rooted on G at the 10th fret — index barres fret 10 from the A string up, ring and pinky add the 4th and 5th at fret 12, pinky reaches C on the B string at fret 13. Mute the low E.
Hear the suspension
Play G major, then Gsus4, then back to G. The C in Gsus4 wants to fall to the B of G major — that pull is the point of a suspended chord.
From G to Gsus4
Starting from an open G chord, adding your index on the B string at fret 1 turns it into Gsus4 — a quick way to colour a held G.
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 barre
The 3-3-5-5-3-3 E-shape is fully moveable: slide it down two frets for Fsus4 or up for any sus4.
Resolve to G major
Gsus4 is most satisfying when it lands on plain G — practise the release so the C falls cleanly to B.
About the Gsus4 Chord on Guitar
The Gsus4 chord is built from three notes: G (the root), C (the perfect 4th), and D (the perfect 5th). It is a G major triad with the 3rd suspended — the B is replaced by the C a half step above it. With no 3rd, Gsus4 sounds tense and unresolved, pulling strongly back to plain G major. Because G uses the open D and G strings, it has a bright, ringing open voicing as well as fully 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 Gsus4 chord shapes from beginner to advanced
- 02Interactive diagrams — click Play to hear each chord
- 03Acoustic guitar sound via audio engine
- 04Ringing 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 G Sus4 chord and their role in the major scale.
Every major chord follows this same formula — root, major third, perfect fifth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Try 3-3-0-0-1-3: middle and ring on the low E and A strings at fret 3, D and G open, index on the B string at fret 1, pinky on the high e at fret 3. Strum all six strings.
G major is G, B, and D. Gsus4 swaps the B (3rd) for C (4th), giving G, C, and D. The 4th makes Gsus4 sound tense until it resolves to G.
No. Gsus4 replaces the 3rd with the 4th (G, C, D), while Gsus2 replaces it with the 2nd (G, A, D). Sus4 sounds tense; sus2 sounds open and airy.
Gsus4 resolves naturally to G major and pairs with C, D, Em, and Am. Suspending G → Gsus4 → G is a classic flourish.