Fsus2 Guitar Chord

Fsus2 is the F suspended second chord. It has three notes: F, G and C. F chords have a scary reputation because of the barre, but the standard Fsus2 needs only a ring finger and a small two string barre with the index, and the open G string supplies the suspended note for free.

A four string grip: ring finger on the D string, a small index barre across the B and high E strings at the 1st fret, and the open G in the middle.

How to play Fsus2, step by step

Index finger: press flat across the B to high E strings at fret 1
Ring finger: 3rd fret, D string
Leave the G string open. Strum from the D string down, skipping the two lowest strings.

This is the small F shape with the middle finger lifted: press the G string at the 2nd fret and you are back on F. That lift and press is how Fsus2 usually shows up inside songs.

More ways to play Fsus2

There are 3 common Fsus2 shapes in total: the standard one at the top of the page, plus these, easiest first. You only ever need one. Tap any card to hear it.

Fsus2 guitar chord diagram, compact, frets 3 to 6, played xx3563 — Compact, frets 3 to 6

Fsus2 guitar chord diagram, barre at fret 8, played x 8 10 10 8 8 — Barre at fret 8

If part of the chord goes missing

The two notes under the index buzz: The mini barre across the B and high E strings must sit flat. Roll the index slightly onto its bony edge and keep it right behind the 1st fret.
Open G string is silent: The ring finger on the D string is leaning into it. Curl the finger up on its tip so the G can ring; that open string is the whole point of the chord.
You keep catching the bass strings: Nothing below the D string belongs here. Aim the strum at the top four strings and let the pick start on the D.

What makes it an Fsus2

F · G · C 1 2 5

Fsus2 swaps the third of F major, A, for G. With the third gone the chord is neither major nor minor, and the G hangs there until it moves: up a whole step to A for F major, or up a half step to A♭ for F minor. In the standard shape that G is the open G string, ringing clearly against the fretted notes around it.

You will run into Fsus2 in the keys of F, C and B♭, usually softening or decorating an F chord rather than replacing it.

Fsus2 vs Fsus4

Fsus2 pulls the missing third down a whole step to G; Fsus4 pushes it up a half step to B♭. The sus4 has the stronger pull home, because the B♭ leans on the A from directly above; the sus2 is roomier and less anxious. Both can be played on the top four strings and both drop you back onto the same F, so the choice is really about how much tension the moment needs.

Fsus2 chord questions

Is Fsus2 easier than F?

Yes. The standard Fsus2 uses four strings and a two string mini barre, far less work than the six string F barre chord.

Is Fsus2 major or minor?

Neither. The A that would make it major is replaced by G, so the chord stays open ended until it resolves.

What is the difference between Fsus2 and Fsus4?

Fsus2 holds a G where the third was, Fsus4 holds a B♭. The sus4 sounds more urgent; the sus2 can sit quietly for a long time.

What songs use Fsus2?

The Scientist by Coldplay is a good example: its main four chord loop ends on Fsus2, right after F.

Do you strum all six strings in Fsus2?

No. The standard shape lives on the top four strings; the low E and A stay out of it.