Suno Metatags: The Complete Reference
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Generate your first track — free →Metatags are square-bracket markers you place in Suno lyrics to control song structure, vocal delivery, and musical elements—like [Verse], [Chorus], or [Whispered]. They're the hidden control layer that separates chaotic, rambling AI songs from structured, professional-sounding tracks. This reference covers every working tag in Suno v5.
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Last updated: February 2026
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Structure Tags
25 tagsPlace these in your lyrics field to define song sections. Each tag should be on its own line.
Core Structure
| Tag | Purpose | Notes |
|---|---|---|
[Intro] |
Opening instrumental section | Usually no vocals, sets the mood |
[Verse] or [Verse 1] |
Main storytelling section | Number verses for clarity: [Verse 1], [Verse 2] |
[Pre-Chorus] |
Build before chorus | Creates anticipation, shorter than verse |
[Chorus] |
Main hook, repeated section | Most memorable part of the song |
[Post-Chorus] |
Extension after chorus | Maintains energy before dropping |
[Bridge] |
Contrasting section | Different melody/chords, usually once |
[Outro] |
Closing section | Winds down the song |
[End] |
Signals song ending | More abrupt than [Outro] |
Special Sections
| Tag | Purpose |
|---|---|
[Instrumental] |
No vocals, just music |
[Interlude] |
Short musical break between sections |
[Break] |
Stripped-down moment, minimal instruments |
[Drop] |
EDM-style drop after build |
[Build] |
Rising intensity leading to drop or chorus |
[Hook] |
Short, catchy repeated phrase |
[Refrain] |
Repeated line or phrase (shorter than chorus) |
[Solo] |
Instrumental solo section |
[Guitar Solo] |
Specifically guitar instrumental |
[Breakdown] |
Deconstructed version of the beat |
[Intro] [Verse 1] Walking through the city lights Everything feels so right tonight [Pre-Chorus] And I know, I know [Chorus] We're alive, we're alive Nothing's gonna bring us down [Verse 2] Stars are shining up above This is what I'm dreaming of [Chorus] We're alive, we're alive Nothing's gonna bring us down [Bridge] When the world gets heavy I'll be right here, ready [Chorus] We're alive, we're alive Nothing's gonna bring us down [Outro]
Vocal Delivery Tags
30+ tagsControl how vocals are performed. These can be placed before sections or inline with lyrics.
Volume & Intensity
Vocal Style
Vocal Techniques
Rap & Hip Hop Delivery
[Verse 1] [Whispered] In the silence of the night [Building] I feel you close to me [Belted] AND I CAN'T LET GO! [Chorus] [Powerful] We rise together Through any weather
Instrument Tags
60+ tagsUse these in your style prompt to specify instrumentation.
Guitars
Keys & Piano
Synths & Electronic
Drums & Percussion
Bass
Strings & Orchestra
Brass & Woodwinds
Genre Tags
100+ tagsPrimary genres and subgenres for your style prompt.
Pop & Mainstream
Rock
Electronic & Dance
Hip Hop & R&B
Metal
Folk & Country
Jazz & Blues
World & Latin
Mood & Energy Tags
50+ tagsPositive Moods
Melancholic Moods
Dark & Intense Moods
Calm & Peaceful Moods
Energy Levels
Production Tags
40+ tagsMix Quality
Texture & Character
Space & Reverb
Tempo & Rhythm Tags
20+ tagsSpecific BPM
Tempo Descriptors
Rhythm Patterns
Special Tags (Suno v5)
15+ tagsThese tags work best in Suno v5 and may have limited effect in earlier versions.
Negative Prompting
v5-Specific Structure
v5 Tip: Negative prompts work best when placed at the END of your style prompt. Suno processes positive descriptors first, then applies exclusions.
To understand the fundamentals, read our guide on how Suno prompts work.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Suno metatags?
Suno metatags are special tags you add to your lyrics to control song structure and vocal delivery. Structure tags like [Verse], [Chorus], and [Bridge] tell Suno how to organize the song. Delivery tags like [Whispered] or [Belted] control how vocals are performed.
Where do I put metatags in Suno?
Place metatags in the lyrics field on their own line, before the section they describe. For example, put [Verse] on a line by itself, then your verse lyrics below. Structure tags go at the start of sections; delivery tags can go inline or before lines.
What's the difference between metatags and style prompts?
Metatags go in the lyrics field and control structure and vocal delivery. Style prompts go in the style field and describe the overall sound (genre, mood, instruments). Both work together: style sets the sound, metatags set the structure.
Do metatags work in Suno v5?
Yes, Suno v5 respects metatags more consistently than previous versions. V5 also added new tags like [Build], [Drop], and enhanced vocal delivery tags. Structure tags are essential for controlling song flow in v5.
Can I combine multiple tags?
Yes! You can combine structure and delivery tags. For example: "[Chorus] [Belted]" tells Suno this is the chorus section AND the vocals should be powerful. In style prompts, you can combine many genre, mood, and instrument tags.
Go Deeper
The Suno Mastery Guide
74 genre deep-dives, 150+ tags + 80-term glossary, 40 artist profiles, v5.5 walkthrough, monetization playbook. 396 pages + 25 HookGenius credits.
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