Violin sizes: which violin size for my child ?

How to choose a the size of a violin for a child

If you need to buy a violin for your child you may not know yet which size you need and how to know which is the correct violin size for him. The violin sizes with “1/2” or “3/4” suggest scale proportions, but they are not: the 1/4 sized violin is not a quarter of the full size violin, also called 4/4. You will find here how to measure your child arm, which violin size is appropriate for him and some more related information.

The existing sizes are the following 4/4 or full size for adults, 7/8 or lady violin, and the violins for children with the following sizes: 3/4, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8 etc.

How to determine the violin sizes ?

Place the child in front of you with the left arm extended horizontally until it is parallele to the floor and take the measure from the corner of the neck to the middle of the palm of his hand. You will find below the violin sizes corresponding to the measurement.

All violin sizes

Violin 4/4

It is also called full size violin. This is the size, among all violin sizes, used by the adult violinist. Children around 12 years old use to change to this size, which is not an absolute rule since it is a growing matter. Here, the lenght between neck and middle of the palm should be greater than 60 cm.

Approximate age for the 4/4 violin: from 11 to 13 years old.

Violin 7/8

This size is also called lady violin. This is a size which is not that common. Most of women play 4/4 violins. This violin is slighty smaller than the full size one. Since this size is mostly used for commodity reasons, there are no measurements to give.

Approximate age for the 4/4 violin: from 11 to 13 years old.

Violin 3/4

This is the last children violin size before the adult violin (4/4).

In this case, you will need a 3/4 violin if the measurement between the neck and middle of the palm of the child is 57 to 60 cm.

Approximate age of the child : 9 to 11 years.

Violin 1/2

In this case, you will need a 1/2 violon if the measurement between the neck and middle of the palm of the child is 52 to 56 cm.

Approximate age of the child : 7 to 8 years.

Violin 1/4

In this case, you will need a 1/4 violon if the measurement between the neck and middle of the palm of the child is 47 to 51 cm.

Approximate age of the child : 6 to 7 years.

Violin 1/8

In this case, you will need a 1/8 violon if the measurement between the neck and middle of the palm of the child is 43 to 46 cm.

Approximate age of the child : 5 to 6 years.

If your child starts violin even before 5 years old, there are smaller violin sizes adapted to 3 and 4 years old. It is true that you will have to change violins quite often, but this is very important for your child to learn in good conditions.