F♯ Suspended 4th Chord (F#sus4, Gbsus4) on Piano
The F#sus4 chord (F# suspended 4th) is built from 3 notes: F# – B – C#. It is also written as Gbsus4.
Play these notes on a MIDI keyboard, your computer keyboard, or the on-screen keys and ChordKeys will name the chord back to you.
Notes and intervals
| Note | Degree | Interval from F# | Semitones |
|---|---|---|---|
| F# | 1 | root | 0 |
| B | 4 | perfect 4th | 5 |
| C# | 5 | perfect 5th | 7 |
Inversions
Rearranging which note sits at the bottom gives you 3 playable voicings of the same chord. Inversions let you move between chords with less hand movement.
| Voicing | Notes | Bass note |
|---|---|---|
| Root position | F# – B – C# | F# in the bass |
| 1st inversion | B – C# – F# | B in the bass |
| 2nd inversion | C# – F# – B | C# in the bass |
How the suspended 4th chord is built
Every suspended 4th chord uses the same interval formula: 1 (0 semitones), 4 (5 semitones), 5 (7 semitones). Starting on F# and applying that formula produces F#, B, C#. Learn the formula once and you can build a suspended 4th chord on any of the twelve roots.
Keys that contain F#sus4
Every note of F#sus4 belongs to these keys, so it will sit naturally in a progression written in any of them.
Other chords on F#
Suspended 4th chords on other roots
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in a F#sus4 chord?
A F#sus4 chord contains the notes F#, B, C#. Those are the 1, 4, 5 degrees measured from the root note F#.
How do you play F#sus4 on piano?
Place your thumb on F#, then add B and C# above it. With a right hand in root position the common fingering is 1–3–5.
Is F#sus4 the same as Gbsus4?
Yes. F#sus4 and Gbsus4 are enharmonic equivalents — they sound identical and use the same piano keys. Which spelling you use depends on the key you are playing in.