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What Size Violin For My Child

We can't stress enough the importance of your child having the correct size violin. Having one that is a bit too big can really slow a young persons learning and may even put them off playing completely.

Child holding violin to show the correct size of violin - The Violin Company

A picture tells a thousand words!. The child to the left is holding her violin under her chin as if she was playing it. She then extended her left arm and can comfortably hold the scroll in the palm of her hand. Her violin is the correct size.

If you don't have a violin to try you can get a good idea by measuring from a point at the neck where the violin will rest to the junction of the palm and the fingers with the arm extended. The lengths and sizes are listed below.

Typical Violin Sizes

Size Overall Length
1/16 15 inches (381 mm)
1/8 16 9/16th Inches (421 mm)
1/4 18 1/8 inches (460 mm)
1/2 20 7/16 inches (519 mm)
3/4 21 11/16 inches (551 mm)
4/4 23 1/4 inches (591 mm)

There are other sizes of violins, 1/64, 1/32, but they are really so small that they seldom appear on the market and are more like toys. Also 1/10 and 7/8 but they seem quite rare and are difficult to purchase.

Most children grow out of a small violin within a couple of years, which is why many parents rent the smaller instruments and wait until their budding Pagannini is big enough to play a full size violin before they purchase an instrument. Check our rental terms & conditions