To provide a damping force controller of a suspension system which can precisely damp sprung vibration by exhibiting a damping force characteristic that takes into consideration either a vertical vibration characteristic or a pitching characteristic according to the operating condition of the suspension system.

A target value of damping coefficient, input from a target damping force value computing means 3 to a variable damping force type shock absorber 4, is switched selectively between a target value suited mainly for restraining sprung vertical vibration and that suited mainly for restraining sprung pitching, according to the relationship in magnitude between longitudinal acceleration detected from a longitudinal acceleration detecting means 5 or the operating angles of accelerator and brake pedals detected from an acceleration/deceleration command detecting means and predetermined reference values.