The short version
- The song builder makes two things that match: a Suno style prompt (genre, mood, vocals, instruments, BPM, key, progression) and a full lyric sheet with section tags and chords.
- Paste them into Suno’s Custom mode: box 1 into Style of Music, box 2 into Lyrics.
- Chords go inside square brackets, like
[Chords: Am - F - C - G], because Suno sings anything outside brackets. - Suno treats chords as a hint, not an order. Key, mood, genre and tempo steer it the most, so they’re all in the style prompt too.
- Free and unlimited for style, chords and template lyrics; AI lyrics about your own story are in free beta, 3 a day.
How to use the Suno song builder
- Pick the sound. Genre, mood, voice and tempo. That’s it. Each genre knows its own instruments and sensible BPM, so “Fast” Lo-fi won’t turn into a rave.
- Check the chords. You get a key and a progression for the verse, pre-chorus, chorus and bridge, built from progressions real songs use. Press Hear it to listen, Shuffle for another set, or change the key to suit your voice.
- Pick the story. Choose a theme and a length, then press Write my song. For lyrics about your actual life (your dog, your ex, your nan’s kitchen), type a few words in “Make it about” and press Write it with AI.
- Paste into Suno. Custom mode → box 1 into Style of Music → box 2 into Lyrics → title idea into Title → Create. Go make a cup of tea. Come back to a song.
![A Suno style prompt card above a lyric sheet with [Verse 1], [Chorus] and [Chords: Am - F - C - G] tags.](/tools/song-builder/hero.svg)
Why put chords in Suno lyrics?
Suno doesn’t read sheet music, but it does read hints. A chord tag at the top of each section tells it roughly what the harmony should do there: minor and moody in the verse, a lift in the pre-chorus, home in the chorus. On its own that’s a nudge. Paired with the same key and progression in the style prompt, it’s a much bigger nudge, which is why this tool always keeps the two in sync.
The golden rule: everything that isn’t meant to be sung goes in square brackets. Write “G” or “Am” above a lyric line the way you would on a guitar songsheet and there’s a fair chance Suno sings “ay em” at you. Ask me how I know.
The song structure, explained
The full song uses the shape most pop, rock, country and worship songs share. The short version keeps the first half, which is perfect for a quick test or a 60-second clip.
| Tag | Job | Chords |
|---|---|---|
[Intro] | Sets the vibe before anyone sings | Verse chords |
[Verse] | Tells the story, quieter | Verse chords |
[Pre-Chorus] | Builds tension, the run-up | Pre-chorus chords |
[Chorus] | The hook and the title, biggest bit | Chorus chords |
[Bridge] | A new angle, so the last chorus hits harder | Bridge chords |
[Instrumental Break] | A solo or drop, no vocals | Chorus chords |
[Outro] + [End] | Winds down and stops cleanly | Verse chords, landing home |
The line in brackets under each tag, like [Soft piano, brushed drums], is a production cue. It’s how you tell Suno “go quiet here” or “now the guitars come in” without it singing the instructions back to you.
What makes a good Suno style prompt?
Short and specific beats long and poetic. The builder writes it in this order: mood + genre, vocal type, two or three instruments, BPM, key, progression. Most land well under 200 characters, which Suno tends to follow more closely than a 900-character essay. And never put a real artist’s name in there: Suno blocks it. For more, see how to write Suno style prompts that work.
Free lyrics vs AI lyrics
Free lyrics come from my hand-written line bank for each theme. They rhyme, they scan, and they’re a solid starting point, but they’re not about you. AI lyrics are written fresh each time around the theme and whatever you type in “Make it about”, with production cues tailored to each section. The chords, key and structure stay exactly the same either way, so the song still matches your style prompt.
Song builder FAQ
Does Suno follow chord progressions?
Not exactly. Suno treats chords as a strong hint rather than a strict instruction. Naming the key and progression in the style prompt and putting [Chords: ...] tags in each section steers the harmony and mood, but the result may use different chords. Mood, genre, key and tempo steer it the most.
Why are the chords in square brackets?
Suno sings anything outside square brackets. Writing chords inside a tag such as [Chords: Am - F - C - G] keeps them as directions for the music instead of words for the singer. Same goes for production cues.
What goes in Suno’s Style of Music box?
A short, comma-separated list: genre, mood, vocal type, two or three instruments, tempo in BPM and the key. Shorter prompts, around 200 characters, tend to be followed more closely. No real artist names: Suno blocks them.
What song structure tags does Suno understand?
The common ones are [Intro], [Verse], [Pre-Chorus], [Chorus], [Bridge], [Instrumental Break] or [Solo], [Outro] and [End]. [End] helps the song finish cleanly instead of trailing off.
Does this work with Udio and other AI music generators?
Yes. The style prompt is a plain list of tags and the lyric sheet uses bracketed section tags, which Udio and most other AI music generators also read. Paste the style prompt wherever the tool asks for a style or description, and the lyric sheet into its lyrics field.
Can I use these lyrics commercially?
The lyrics are yours to use and edit. Whether you can sell or distribute the finished song depends on your AI music generator’s plan and terms; with Suno, commercial use generally needs a paid plan. Check the current terms of the service you use. More in can you sell Suno songs?
Is the song builder free?
Yes. Style prompt, chords and template lyrics are free and unlimited, no signup. AI lyrics built around your own story are in free beta with a small daily limit.
Will I be charged for anything?
No. Everything on this page is free and there is no checkout. Song Builder Pro isn’t live yet: the prices in the waitlist are a test to see what feels fair, and joining it costs nothing. If Pro ever opens, paying would be a clear, separate step you choose.