Suspended Piano Chords
Suspended chords replace the third with a second (sus2) or fourth (sus4). Without a major or minor third, the harmony feels open and unresolved until it settles into a triad.
Chord formulas in this category
| Type | Formula | Explorer |
|---|---|---|
| Suspended 2 | 1 – 2 – 5 | Open in Explorer |
| Suspended 4 | 1 – 4 – 5 | Open in Explorer |
Formulas use the shared chord-theory registry (sus2, sus4). Notes on each chord page are generated from that same source of truth.
Example chords
Browse All Suspended Chords
Every suspended chord page in the library, organized by type.
Practice and explore
Related categories
Frequently asked questions
- What does sus mean in a chord symbol?
- sus is short for suspended. sus4 swaps the third for the fourth; sus2 swaps it for the second (ninth below the octave).
- How do suspended chords resolve?
- A classic move is sus4 → major (or minor): the fourth steps down to the third. Sus2 often resolves by moving the second up to the third.
Browse all qualities: Suspended 2, Suspended 4.