What Size Guitar Does My Child Need? A Simple Guide by Age

Buying a first guitar is exciting, and it is also the moment most families make the one mistake that slows kids down the most: a guitar that is too big. A guitar that fits lets small hands reach the chords, and that is what keeps kids playing past the first month.

Guitar sizes by age

Use this as a starting point. Height and arm length matter more than age, so if your child is tall or small for their age, move one size up or down.

• 1/4 size: roughly ages 4 to 6
• 1/2 size: roughly ages 6 to 8
• 3/4 size: roughly ages 8 to 11
• Full size: roughly ages 12 and up, and most teens and adults

Acoustic or electric?

Both are fine for a beginner. Electric guitars usually have lighter strings and a thinner neck, so they are easier on small fingers, but you also need a small amplifier. Acoustic guitars are ready to play anywhere and are great for kids who mostly want to sing along. Nylon-string (classical) guitars are the softest on fingertips, which helps very young players.

What to check before you buy

1. The strings sit low. If you have to press very hard to make a note, the guitar is hard to play. A music store can adjust this ("a setup") for a small fee.
2. It stays in tune. Tune it, play for ten minutes, and check again.
3. No sharp fret ends along the edge of the neck.
4. A tuner. A clip-on tuner costs a few dollars and makes practice sound good from day one.

Do you need an expensive guitar?

No. A well set-up entry-level guitar is much better than an expensive one that is the wrong size. Spend on the setup, not the brand name.

Bring it to the first lesson

If you already have a guitar at home, bring it to your first lesson. Fernando will check the size and setup and tell you honestly whether it is helping or holding your child back. In the studio there are guitars to use during the lesson, so nobody has to buy anything before trying.

Ready to start? Read more about guitar lessons for kids and adults, or book a first lesson.