Explore chords · Ukulele
F suspended 4th chord on ukulele (Fsus4)
Also called or written Fsus4, Fsus or F Suspended
F suspended 4th is built from F, B♭, and C. The default voicing spans four frets and uses all four fingers, so it is not a beginner shape.
How it is built
Formula 1, 4, 5
How do you play an F suspended 4th chord on ukulele?
F suspended 4th is played at the 8th fret as 10 10 8 8: ring finger on the G string at fret 10, pinky finger on the C string at fret 10, index finger on the E string at fret 8 and middle finger on the A string at fret 8.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 10 | 3 | F (1) |
| 3 (C) | 10 | 4 | B♭ (4) |
| 2 (E) | 8 | 1 | C (5) |
| 1 (A) | 8 | 2 | F (1) |
IntermediateThe pinky must fret the C string at fret 10 while the index and middle hold fret 8, stretching the hand across four frets.
Fsus4/C inversion · 3-0-1-1
F suspended 4th is played in open position as 3 0 1 1: ring finger on the G string at fret 3, index finger on the E string at fret 1 and middle finger on the A string at fret 1. The C string rings open.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 3 | 3 | B♭ (4) |
| 3 (C) | open | — | C (5) |
| 2 (E) | 1 | 1 | F (1) |
| 1 (A) | 1 | 2 | B♭ (4) |
Fsus4/C inversion · 3-0-1-3
F suspended 4th is played in open position as 3 0 1 3: middle finger on the G string at fret 3, index finger on the E string at fret 1 and ring finger on the A string at fret 3. The C string rings open.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 3 | 2 | B♭ (4) |
| 3 (C) | open | — | C (5) |
| 2 (E) | 1 | 1 | F (1) |
| 1 (A) | 3 | 3 | C (5) |
Fsus4/C inversion · ×-0-1-1
F suspended 4th is played in open position as × 0 1 1: index finger on the E string at fret 1 and middle finger on the A string at fret 1. The C string rings open. The G string stays muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | muted | — | — |
| 3 (C) | open | — | C (5) |
| 2 (E) | 1 | 1 | F (1) |
| 1 (A) | 1 | 2 | B♭ (4) |
5th fret
F suspended 4th is played at the 5th fret as 5 5 6 ×: index finger on the G string at fret 5, middle finger on the C string at fret 5 and ring finger on the E string at fret 6. The A string stays muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 5 | 1 | C (5) |
| 3 (C) | 5 | 2 | F (1) |
| 2 (E) | 6 | 3 | B♭ (4) |
| 1 (A) | muted | — | — |
Why it sounds like that
The formula 1, 4, 5 replaces the third with a perfect fourth, removing major or minor quality. The fourth interval creates the suspended sound. Compare with F major, which has A instead of B♭.
What goes wrong with F suspended 4th?
- Let the pinky collapse and mute the E string.
- Press the index finger too hard, causing the A string to buzz.
When to use it
F suspended 4th works as a tonic substitute in F major, often in the I–IV–V–I progression: F–B♭–C–F. It suits pop and rock where the suspension adds motion. Use it before a F major to create a lift.
Changing to and from F suspended 4th
- Slide the whole shape down one fret to the 7th fret to play E suspended 4th.
Which voicing to use
The 8th fret voicing has F in the bass and is the most complete. The Fsus4/B♭ inversion puts B♭ in the bass for a softer, less grounded sound. The Fsus4/C inversions place C in the bass, adding tension that wants to resolve upward.
Other F chords
Common questions
How is F suspended 4th written?
F suspended 4th is written Fsus or Fsus4. The symbol Fsus4 is the most explicit.
What is the difference between Fsus4 and Fsus2?
Fsus4 replaces the third with a fourth (B♭), while Fsus2 replaces it with a second (G). Fsus4 has a stronger pull to resolve to the major third.
Can I use F suspended 4th in place of F major?
Yes, but only when the melody does not need the major third. The suspension creates a floating quality that resolves when you return to F major.