Violin Sizes - What Size Do I Need & How To Measure?

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Measuring what size violin, viola, or cello you need is straight forward. If you have not been advised on the size you need, then this short guide should help you out.

The actual size between the instruments doesn’t look much, a ¼ violin being 47cm and the ½ only 4cm longer, but this can make a real difference to the player.

Playing on the wrong size instrument could force the player to have to stretch too far or have to ‘scrunch’ up. Either way, its going to make learning to play much harder!

If you are an adult learning to play you will probably need a full size instrument, but it is worth checking if you are not sure.  For a child, please follow these simple measurements.

If you are still unsure after using this guide, please contact us. We are always happy to help.

Just under the next size up?

If you find your child is just under being the next size up, it is tempting to go for the large instrument.

Ideally, they should start with the smaller size and only move to the larger size when they are 100% ready. Playing an instrument even slightly to large may inhibit progress.

If the violin arrives, but the teacher suggests a different size please let us know and we’ll arrange the swap.

Hire a violin in our online store.

Violin Size	Arm Length	Age (Guide Only)
1/16 Violin	35.5cm or 14in	3 to 5 Years Old
1/10 Violin	38cm or 15in	3 to 5 Years Old
1/8 Violin	42cm or 16in	3 to 5 Years Old
1/4 Violin	47cm or 18.5in	4 to 7 Years Old
1/2 Violin	51cm or 20in	6 to 10 Years Old
3/4 Violin	56cm or 22in	9 to 11 Years Old
4/4 Violin	58.5cm or 23in	11 Years Old +

How To Measure

Have the player extend their left arm completely straight (but not overextended) with no bend in the elbow or wrists.

• Measurement 1 (neck to wrist) This indicates the most appropriate and comfortable size for the player.
• Measurement 2 (neck to palm) This indicates the largest size the player could use.

Other Methods Of Measuring

If you already have a violin you can easily measure and check the size.

If the violin is put in the playing position, then the violin scroll should sit in the middle of the palm of the left hand and the fingers be able to curl around the scroll.

You can also simply measure the back of the violin body using the measurements table below.

What Size Violin Do I Have? - Useful Violin Measurements

If you already have a violin, we have a useful list of measurements that will help you determine what violin size you have.

Violin Size	Violin Back Length	Violin Overall Length	Bow Length
1/16 Violin	209mm or approx. 8 inches	36.8cm or 14.5in	42.5cm or 16.75in
1/10 Violin	230mm or approx. 9 inches	40.6cm or 16in	45cm or 17.5in
1/8 Violin	255mm or approx. 10 inches	43cm or 17in	48.9cm or 19.25in
1/4 Violin	280mm or approx. 11 inches	48.25cm or 19in	57.15cm or 22.5in
1/2 Violin	310mm or approx. 12.2 inches	52cm or 20.5in	62.2cm or 24.5in
3/4 Violin	335mm or approx. 13 inches	53.3cm or 21in	68.6cm or 27in
4/4 Full Violin	356mm or approx. 14 inches	60cm or 23.5in	75cm or 29.5in

[Hire a violin]

Measuring for a violinViolin Care & MaintenanceHow to hold your violin bowHow to tune your violin/violaThe violin set up - Complete Guide

Getting started with your violinHow to rosin your bowBrief history of the violinStradivarius - Why so famous?The most asked 20 questions regarding violin

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What is .925 silver?

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If you would prefer to book your instrument delivery for a future date to coincide with the school term start, or booked music lessons, then you can add your preferred delivery date towards the bottom of the checkout page. Simply add your preferred date to the 'Order notes/Delivery Requests' box at the bottom of the checkout.

How it works

• Checkout out as normal, adding your preferred delivery date towards the bottom of the checkout page in the 'Order notes/Delivery Requests'
• Your initial payment will be taken on the day you order by Direct Debit or credit\debit card.
• You will receive an automated email to confirm your order, and confirm your delivery date.
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