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Suno Style Tags: The Complete Reference

Style tags are descriptors in your Suno prompt that define the sound: genre, mood, instruments, and production. Structure markers like [Verse] and [Chorus] go in the lyrics field to organize song sections. Metatags is an informal term for any tag that controls Suno's output. Understanding which tags go where—and which combinations work—is the key to consistent results.

Structure Markers

Place these in your lyrics field at the start of each section. They tell Suno how to organize the song.

[Intro]
[Verse]
[Pre-Chorus]
[Chorus]
[Bridge]
[Outro]
[Instrumental]
[Break]

Genre Tags

Define the musical style. Be specific—subgenres produce better results than broad categories.

pop
indie rock
hip-hop
trap
house
techno
ambient
folk
jazz
R&B
country
metal

Mood & Energy Tags

Set the emotional tone and intensity level.

upbeat
melancholic
euphoric
aggressive
dreamy
cinematic
intimate
anthemic
dark
hopeful
nostalgic
energetic

Production Tags

Control the overall sound quality and texture.

lo-fi
polished
gritty
crisp
warm
raw
vintage
modern
atmospheric
minimal
lush
acoustic

Vocal Style Tags

Describe the voice characteristics you want.

raspy vocals
smooth vocals
powerful belting
ethereal female
deep male voice
breathy
falsetto
harmonies

Tag Combination Templates

Copy these proven combinations as starting points:

Indie Emotional Ballad
indie folk, melancholic, acoustic guitar, soft percussion, intimate male vocals, lo-fi warmth, nostalgic
Modern Electronic Anthem
house, euphoric, synth-driven, four-on-the-floor, ethereal vocal chops, polished mix, energetic build

Frequently Asked Questions

How many style tags should I use?

Use 4-8 style tags for best results. Too few gives Suno too much freedom; too many can create conflicts. Focus on one tag per category: genre, mood, instrumentation, vocal style, and production quality.

Do structure tags go in the style prompt or lyrics?

Structure tags like [Verse], [Chorus], and [Bridge] go in the lyrics field, not the style prompt. Place them at the beginning of each section. The style prompt is for sonic descriptors only.

What's the difference between [Verse] and "Verse:"?

Square brackets [Verse] are structure markers that Suno interprets as instructions. Writing "Verse:" as plain text may be sung as lyrics. Always use brackets for structure.

Can I create custom tags?

Suno recognizes standard structure tags and common musical descriptors. Custom tags like [My Special Section] won't be understood. Stick to recognized tags for reliable results.

Which tags does Suno ignore?

Suno may deprioritize conflicting tags (like "calm" and "aggressive" together) or overly technical terms. Keep your tags coherent and complementary for best results.

Skip the Tag Research

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