Chord type

Suspended 4th Chords on Piano

The sus4 chord replaces the third with a perfect fourth — creating tension that naturally wants to resolve down to the third. Sus4 chords are used in hymns, classical cadences, pop, and rock for their characteristic pull toward resolution.

Each key below opens the full reference entry — keyboard diagram, audio, inversions, fingerings, and notation.

Formula: Root – Perfect 4th – Perfect 5th

Intervals: 5 + 2 semitones

Scale degrees: 1–4–5

Sound: Tense, suspended, wants to resolve

Symbol: sus4 or sus (Csus4, Dsus etc.)

The classic sus4 resolution: Play Csus4 (C–F–G) then let the F drop to E, forming C Major. This sus4→major resolution is one of the most satisfying harmonic movements — it appears everywhere from hymns to pop ballads. When you see just "sus" without a number, it almost always means sus4.