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Size Chart for Violin, Viola, and Cello
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Size Chart for Violin, Viola, and Cello
This guide for stringed instrument sizing will help you to choose the correct size of violin, viola or cello. Proper sizing requires the measurement of the player's arm, from the neck to the middle of the palm.
Most children move up from a 1/2 size violin to a 3/4 size at about age 10, and to a full size (4/4) at about age 12, but arm length gives a better answer than age. Use the finder below, then check the full chart.
Find your violin, viola or cello size
Charts differ a little from one maker and teacher to the next, so treat every number here as a close guide, not a rule. If you are between sizes, go smaller and ask your teacher. A smaller instrument is easier to hold, easier to play in tune, and kinder to a growing player.
Full size chart
Arm length is measured from the neck to the middle of the palm, as described above. The first number in each row is the smallest arm length for that size.
| Violin size | Arm length (inches) | Arm length (cm) | Approximate age | Body length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/16 | 14 to 15 | 35.5 to 38 | 3 and under | 8.25 in |
| 1/10 | 15 to 16.5 | 38 to 42 | 4 | 9.25 in |
| 1/8 | 16.5 to 18.5 | 42 to 47 | 5 | 10.25 in |
| 1/4 | 18.5 to 20 | 47 to 51 | 6 to 7 | 11.5 in |
| 1/2 | 20 to 22 | 51 to 56 | 8 to 9 | 12.5 in |
| 3/4 | 22 to 23 | 56 to 58.5 | 10 to 11 | 13 in |
| 4/4 (full size) | 23 and up | 58.5 and up | 12 and older | 14 in |
| Viola size (body length) | Arm length (inches) | Arm length (cm) | Approximate age |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 in | 18 to 20 | 46 to 51 | 5 and under |
| 12 in | 20 to 22 | 51 to 56 | 6 to 7 |
| 13 in | 22 to 23.2 | 56 to 59 | 8 to 9 |
| 14 in | 23.2 to 24.9 | 59 to 63 | 10 to 11 |
| 15 in | 24.9 to 25.6 | 63 to 65 | 12 |
| 15.5 in | 25.6 to 26.4 | 65 to 67 | 13 to 15 |
| 16 in | 26.4 to 27.1 | 67 to 69 | Most adults |
| 16.5 in | 27.1 and up | 69 and up | Adults with long arms |
| Cello size | Arm length (inches) | Arm length (cm) | Approximate age | Body length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/10 | under 16 | under 41 | 4 and under | 17.75 in |
| 1/8 | 16 to 18 | 41 to 46 | 5 | 20 in |
| 1/4 | 18 to 20 | 46 to 51 | 6 to 7 | 23 in |
| 1/2 | 20 to 22 | 51 to 56 | 8 to 9 | 26 in |
| 3/4 | 22 to 24 | 56 to 61 | 10 to 11 | 27.25 in |
| 4/4 (full size) | 24 and up | 61 and up | 12 and older | 30 in |
Ages are rough. Children grow at their own pace, and two children of the same age can need different sizes. Body length is the main body of the instrument, not counting the neck and scroll. Maker sizes vary by about half an inch.
Common questions
- How do I measure arm length for a violin, viola or cello?
- Stand up straight and hold the left arm straight out to the side with the palm up. Measure from the side of the neck to the middle of the palm. That is about the distance from the neck of the instrument to where the left hand rests. A tape measure and a helper make it easy.
- What if my child is between two sizes?
- Go with the smaller size and ask the teacher. A smaller instrument is easier to hold and to play in tune. A larger one makes the arm and hand stretch, which can hurt technique and make practice tiring.
- Can we buy a bigger size so my child can grow into it?
- It is tempting, but a size too big is hard to play and can slow progress. Children usually change size every one to two years. Many families choose an affordable student instrument in the right size now, and move up when the teacher says it is time.
- Do adults always play a full size violin?
- Yes. Adults normally play a 4/4 full size violin. A few adults with small hands use a 7/8 size. Violas are different. Adult violas range from 15.5 to 16.5 inches, so arm length matters.
- Should I go by age or by arm length?
- Arm length is more accurate. Age is only a rough guide because children grow at different speeds. If you have both numbers, use arm length. Your teacher's advice beats any chart.
Violin Sizes by Arm Length
Violin Size Arm Length (in inches)
4/4 (Full Size) 23
3/4 22
1/2 20
1/4 18 1/2
1/8 16 1/2
1/10 15
1/16 14
Violins come in 8 different sizes: 4/4 (also called Full size), 3/4, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/10, 1/16. 4/4 size being the biggest
and 1/16 size being the smallest. All adults, regardless of their size, use the 4/4 violin. There is another uncommon
size, 7/8, usually used by female professional violinist who wants a full-size violin sound but whose hand might be a
little small for the full size violin. So violin makers would make violins just a little smaller than full size to
accommodate these players.
To measure what size violin best suits you, you need to know the length between your neck and the middle of your
left-hand palm (when your hand is fully extended and raised perpendicular to your body, just like holding a violin).
Some teachers prefer students to use the length from the neck to the wrist for measurement instead of the neck to
mid-palm approach. The violin size determined by the neck/wrist approach would be the size that is more comfortable
for students to hold. The violin size determined by the neck/mid-palm approach would be the biggest size students
should use.
If you have a teacher, you should ask for your teacher's recommendation. If you don't have a teacher, we would
recommend using the neck/wrist approach for students not using full size. For students who are deciding whether to
used 3/4 or 4/4 size, use the neck/mid-palm approach. This is because it is always better that students feel
comfortable holding and playing the violin.
The following chart lists the length of each violin size. Find your length using the your preferred approach and use
that to determine the size of violin to get.
Violin Sizes by Age:
Another more general way of determining the size is by age. If the above, arm length information, is available, it is the more accurate way to determine size. Otherwise, you can use the age chart below to make the determination
Violin Size Age
4/4 (Full Size) 12 year and older
3/4 10-11
1/2 8-9
1/4 6-7
1/8 5-6
1/10 4-5
1/16 3 and below
Cello Sizing Tips:
Seat the child (or yourself) so that the knees are bent at a ninety degree angle. The instrument should rest such that the upper rim of the cello body rests on the sternum (breast bone), and the left knee contacts the curve below the lower bout corner. The C string (the lowest string) peg should be near the left ear, with the neck a few inches away from the shoulder, and the left hand able to reach both ends of the !ngerboard with ease.
common sizes for violin, viola, and Cello.
this is a rough guide - sizes may vary
measurements in Inches.
Size Body Length Total Length Max Width
Cello
European 4/4 Full 30 48 17.75
7/8 28.5 46.5 17
3/4 27.25 45 16
1/2 26 42 15
1/4 23 38.5 13.5
1/8 20 33.5 11.75
1/10 17.75 29.5 9.75
Size Body Length Total Length Max Width
Cello
Suzuki 4/4 Full 30 48 17.75
3/4 26 42 15
1/2 23 38.5 13.5
1/4 20 33.5 11.75
1/8 17.75 29.5 9.75
Size Body Length Total Length Max Width
Viola 16.5 16.5 27 9
16 16 26.5 8.75
15.5 15.5 26 8.5
15 15 25 8.0
14 (4/4 VI) 23 7.5
13 (3/4 VI) 21.75 7
12 (1/2 VI) 20.5 6.75
Size Body Length Total Length Max Width
Violin 4/4 14 23.5 7.5
7/8 13.5 22.5 7.25
3/4 13 21.75 7
1/2 12.5 20.5 6.75
1/4 11.5 18.75 6
1/8 10.25 17.25 5.5
1/10 9.25 16 5
1/16 8.25 14.5 4.45
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