11 Suno Meta Tags You Need to Know (Complete Cheat Sheet)

Suno meta tags are the instructions you give the AI to control structure, style, and arrangement. Some live in brackets inside your lyrics, others sit in dedicated fields like Style of Music or Advanced Options. Understanding which tags work where—and what Suno actually documents versus community practice—saves you hours of trial and error.

This cheat sheet covers the 11 most important meta tags and controls in Suno v6, with examples you can copy and adapt. If you need help building style prompts that work with these tags, the free Suno prompt generator formats everything correctly for v6's limits and weighting.

1. [Intro]

The [Intro] tag tells Suno to create an opening section before the first verse. Place it on its own line at the top of your lyrics. Intros typically run 8–16 bars and set the mood without vocals, though you can add a few words or a hook fragment.

Example: Start your lyrics with [Intro] on line one, then either leave it blank for an instrumental intro or add a short phrase like "Yeah, yeah, here we go" on the next line before your first [Verse] tag.

2. [Verse]

The [Verse] tag marks the main narrative sections of your song. Most songs have two or three verses, each delivering new lyrics over a consistent musical bed. Verses build tension and context that the chorus releases. In song structure, verses are where your story unfolds.

Example: Write [Verse] on its own line, then your verse lyrics below it. Repeat for [Verse 2] and [Verse 3] if your song needs them, though Suno doesn't require numbered tags—plain [Verse] works every time.

3. [Pre-Chorus]

The [Pre-Chorus] tag creates a transitional section between verse and chorus, building anticipation. It usually has different lyrics each time but shares a melodic shape. Not every song needs one, but when you want a lift before the hook, this tag signals it.

Example: After your [Verse] lyrics, add [Pre-Chorus] on a new line, then 2–4 lines of lyrics that ramp energy or change the melodic rhythm before your [Chorus] hits.

4. [Chorus]

The [Chorus] tag marks your song's main hook—the part that repeats with the same lyrics and melody. Suno treats this as the emotional and musical peak. For advice on writing choruses that stick, check out how to write a chorus that repeats without boring.

Example: Place [Chorus] on its own line, then write your hook lyrics below. Use the same [Chorus] tag each time it repeats; Suno will keep the melody consistent across all instances.

5. [Bridge]

The [Bridge] tag introduces a contrasting section—different chords, melody, or perspective—usually after the second chorus. Bridges break up repetition and give the final chorus more impact when it returns. They typically appear once per song.

Example: After your second [Chorus], add [Bridge] on a new line, then 4–8 lines of lyrics that shift tone or offer a new angle on your theme before the final chorus.

6. [Outro]

The [Outro] tag signals the ending section. Outros can fade on a repeated hook, introduce a new musical idea, or resolve the song with a final lyric. You can leave it instrumental or add a few closing words.

Example: At the end of your lyrics, write [Outro] on its own line, then either leave it blank for an instrumental fade or add a short phrase like "fade to black" or repeat a key hook line.

7. [Instrumental] and [Break]

The [Instrumental] tag creates a section with no vocals—useful for solos, drops, or breathing room. [Break] works similarly, often implying a rhythmic or dynamic shift. Both give the vocal a rest and let the arrangement shine.

Example: Insert [Instrumental] or [Break] on its own line between sections. For a guitar solo after the second chorus, place [Instrumental] between [Chorus] and [Bridge], and mention "guitar solo" in your Style of Music box.

8. Style of Music Box

The Style of Music field (Custom mode at suno.com/create) is where you describe genre, instruments, tempo, and vibe. Suno weighs the start of this prompt most, so front-load your key details. The reported limit is 1,000 characters, but keeping it under 800 ensures your priorities lead. For a full breakdown of effective style prompts, see Suno prompts that actually work in v6.

Example: "90s boom bap hip hop, dusty vinyl samples, punchy kick, crisp snare, jazzy piano loop, laid-back flow, male vocals" puts genre and core elements first, then adds texture and vocal details.

9. Vocal Gender

The Vocal Gender control (Advanced Options in Custom mode) lets you choose Male or Female. In Simple mode, write "male vocals" or "female vocals" directly in your description. This control is straightforward but essential when your lyrics or concept demand a specific voice.

Example: In Advanced Options, select Female from the Vocal Gender dropdown. Or in Simple mode, add "female vocals, soulful tone" to your description field to guide the vocal character.

10. Exclude Field

The Exclude field (Advanced Options) lists instruments, effects, or styles you don't want. Put all negatives here instead of writing "no drums" or "without autotune" in your style prompt. Suno processes exclusions separately, so this keeps your style description focused on what you do want.

Example: If you're making an acoustic ballad, type "drums, electric guitar, synth, autotune" in the Exclude field. Your Style of Music box stays positive: "intimate acoustic ballad, fingerpicked guitar, warm vocals."

11. Weirdness and Style Influence

Weirdness (Safe to Chaos, 50% default) controls how much Suno experiments with unexpected sounds or arrangements. Style Influence (Loose to Strong, reported default 50%) sets how strictly Suno follows your style prompt. Raising Weirdness adds texture but risks incoherence; lowering Style Influence gives Suno more creative freedom within your genre.

Example: For a polished pop track, set Weirdness to 30% and Style Influence to 70% so Suno sticks close to your prompt. For experimental electronic music, push Weirdness to 70% and Style Influence to 40% to let the AI surprise you.

How to Use These Tags Together

Combine section tags in your lyrics with style controls in the fields. Start by mapping your song structure with [Intro], [Verse], [Chorus], [Bridge], and [Outro] tags. Then fill the Style of Music box with genre and instrumentation, set Vocal Gender, and list unwanted elements in Exclude. Adjust Weirdness and Style Influence only after you've tested a baseline version—those sliders change the vibe more than you expect.

Section tags are community practice, not officially documented by Suno, but they work reliably in v6. If a tag doesn't behave as expected, try rephrasing your style prompt or using Replace Section (Pro and Premier) to edit the part after generation. For more on structuring songs that hold attention, read how to write a song structure that holds attention.

FAQ

Can I use custom section tags like [Solo] or [Drop]?

Yes, but results vary. Suno hasn't documented custom tags, so [Solo] or [Drop] might work if your style prompt reinforces them (e.g., "heavy bass drop at the break"). Stick to standard tags like [Instrumental] or [Break] for predictable results, and mention specific elements in the Style of Music box.

Do I need to number my verse and chorus tags?

No. Suno recognizes repeated [Verse] and [Chorus] tags without numbers. Numbering (e.g., [Verse 2]) can help you organize your lyrics, but it doesn't change how Suno interprets the structure. Use whichever format keeps your workflow clear.

What happens if I don't use any section tags?

Suno will infer structure from your lyrics and style prompt, but you lose control over where sections start and end. Tags give you precision—especially useful when you want a specific intro length, a bridge in a certain spot, or an instrumental break between sections.

Master these 11 Suno meta tags and you'll spend less time regenerating and more time refining. Try them in SONIQ's app to see how structured prompts and section tags shape your v6 songs.