It’s common to believe that the violin has one standard size that all new players must learn and adapt to, but that simply is not true. In actuality, there are eight different violin sizes to choose from depending on your age and size.
In truth, your preferred violin size will change in a way that is similar to shoe sizes as you age.
As a child and teenager, your violin’s size will change often, every few years, but once you hit adulthood, you’ll have the same size for the rest of your life.
Playing on a properly sized instrument is important for anyone learning to play the violin, as playing an ill-fitting one can cause bad habits and discomfort to occur while playing.
This guide will cover all the different violin sizes, how to choose the right violin size for you, and the best violins available at each size.
Table Of Contents
What Are The Diffferent Sizes Of Violins? [Violin Size Chart]
Which Violin Size Do I Need?
The most important factors when it comes to finding your properly sized violin is arm length and hand size.
Arm length in particular is the key, as the different sizes are determined by only a few inches of variation in arm length.
Correctly measuring your or your student’s arm is integral for violin sizing.
How you do it is simple: stand straight with your feet evenly apart, extend your left arm straight out to your side, and with measuring tape record the distance from your neck to the middle of your left palm.
Hand size, to a lesser extent, is another factor to be aware of, especially as an adult. A smaller adult, a petite woman for example, may have rather small hands and a shorter arm length, so perhaps a ⅞ violin would suit her better rather than a full-size 4/4.
As helpful as measurements and numbers are with finding the right sized violin, feel is also important. Going to a music store and trying different sizes and gauging how they feel in you or your student’s hands is a great way to be sure before finalizing your violin purchase or rental.
This short video will demonstrate violin sizing techniques as well:
Top Violin Purchasing Options At Every Size
Cremona SV-75 Premier Novice Series 1/16 Violin Outfit
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This violin outfit from Cremona is the perfect violin choice for any beginning, young player. It is 1/16 size, the smallest, and is best for players aged 3-5 with an arm length of about 14 inches. The SV-75 also comes with a case, bow and strings so that its player can get started right away.
Best yet, it is an extremely affordable violin kit while still performing well as an instrument. This will be a great purchase!
Key Specs
| Size: | 1/16 (arm length 14”) |
| Body Material: | Maple |
| Top Materia: | Spruce |
| Fingerboard Material: | Dyed hardwood |
| Bow: | Yes |
| Case: | Yes |
| Other Accessories: | Strings |
| Dimensions: | 14.5 in. x 5 in. x 2 in. (368.3 mm x 127 mm x 50.8 mm) |
| Weight: | 5.6 oz. (0.16 kg) |
Kennedy Violins Bunnel Pupil 1/10 Violin Outfit
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Kennedy Violins have an awesome bundle available here for a 1/10 size violin. This is a size that isn’t as common as the others, but for players whose arms are 15” long, this is the perfect size for you. It also comes with a plethora of accessories, including a case, rosin, bow, two sets of strings, polishing cloth, and a carrying strap.
Key Specs
| Size: | 1/10 (arm length 15”) |
| Body Material: | Maple |
| Top Materia: | Spruce |
| Fingerboard Material: | Ebony |
| Bow: | Yes |
| Case: | Yes |
| Other Accessories: | 2 x strings, rosin, cloth, strap |
| Dimensions: | 40.5 in. x 12 in. x 7.4 in. (1028.7 mm x 304.8 mm x 187.96 mm) |
| Weight: | 5.89 lb. (2.67 kg) |
Stentor 1500 Student II Series 1/8 Violin Outfit
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The Stentor 1500 is another great violin kit that comes with a case, bow, strings and even rosin. It has a solid spruce and maple body with a smooth ebony fingerboard that plays and feels great. It also only costs a few hundred dollars. Consider purchasing this 1/8 violin outfit by Stentor!
Key Specs
| Size: | 1/8 (arm length 16.5”) |
| Body Material: | Maple |
| Top Materia: | Spruce |
| Fingerboard Material: | Ebony |
| Bow: | Yes |
| Case: | Yes |
| Other Accessories: | Strings and rosin |
| Dimensions: | 23.5 in. x 6.75 in. x 4 in. (596.9 mm x 171.45 mm x 101.6 mm) |
| Weight: | 3 lb. (1.36 kg) |
Bellafina Prodigy Series 1/4 Violin Outfit
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Bellafina’s Prodigy Series is an awesome line of violin outfits. It is a 1/4 size violin, ideal for a player with an arm length of 18”-18.5”. Like the other kits the Prodigy Series comes equipped with a case, bow and strings so you can get to playing it straight out of the box. This is a great 1/4 violin you should consider purchasing.
Key Specs
| Size: | 1/4 (arm length about 18”) |
| Body Material: | Maple |
| Top Materia: | Spruce |
| Fingerboard Material: | Ebony |
| Bow: | Yes |
| Case: | Yes |
| Other Accessories: | Strings |
| Dimensions: | N/A |
| Weight: | N/A |
Revelle REV35 1/2 Student Violin Outfit
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The Revelle REV35 is a Sweetwater exclusive and is a perfect option for anyone needing a 1/2 size violin. It is a kit, like the others, and comes with a bow, case and strings. Its bow is made with a carbon composite that makes it incredibly strong and durable. The violin’s body is also finished with a great sprayed oil varnish as well.
Key Specs
| Size: | 1/2 (arm length 20”) |
| Body Material: | Maple |
| Top Materia: | Spruce |
| Fingerboard Material: | Ebony |
| Bow: | Yes |
| Case: | Yes |
| Other Accessories: | Strings |
| Dimensions: | N/A |
| Weight: | N/A |
Cremona SV-500 Series 3/4 Violin Outfit
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Another model from Cremona, the SV-500 is a 3/4 size violin kit that has a lot to offer. It’s made of solid maple and spruce and is finished with brown-red varnish. It is a reliable, sturdy instrument that will sound great.
Key Specs
| Size: | 3/4 (arm length about 22”) |
| Body Material: | Maple |
| Top Materia: | Spruce |
| Fingerboard Material: | Dyed hardwood |
| Bow: | Yes |
| Case: | Yes |
| Other Accessories: | Strings |
| Dimensions: | 29 in. x 10 in. x 6 in. (736.6 mm x 254 mm x 152.4 mm) |
| Weight: | 4.6 lb. (2.09 kg) |
D Z Strad Model 365 7/8 Size Violin Outfit
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This 7/8 size violin from D Z Strad is a very nice kit that contains all the accessories needed. It isn’t cheap, costing several hundred dollars more than the next pricey violin on the list. The money is worth it, however, because this is a high-quality instrument.
The 7/8 size is a less common violin size and is best suited to teenagers and adults with shorter arm lengths and/or smaller than average hands. It uses the same bow as a full size 4/4 violin, but is just slightly smaller.
Key Specs
| Size: | 7/8 (arm length 22”) |
| Body Material: | Maple |
| Top Materia: | Spruce |
| Fingerboard Material: | Ebony |
| Bow: | Yes |
| Case: | Yes |
| Other Accessories: | Strings and rosin |
| Dimensions: | 29 in. x 11 in. x 5 in. (736.6 mm x 279.4 mm x 127 mm) |
| Weight: | 4 lb. (2.09 kg) |
Yamaha YVN003 Model 3 4/4 Student Violin Outfit
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This 4/4 full size violin kit from Yamaha is an exceptionally great value. It is constructed with Yamaha’s unique 3-layer method, making the wood more stable and sound richer and fuller. It also has a gorgeous rosewood fingerboard that plays wonderfully.
Key Specs
| Size: | 4/4 (arm length 23” and up) |
| Body Material: | Maple |
| Top Materia: | Spruce |
| Fingerboard Material: | Rosewood |
| Bow: | Yes |
| Case: | Yes |
| Other Accessories: | Strings and rosin |
| Dimensions: | 38 in. x 12.5 in. x 7 in. (965.2 mm x 317.5 mm x 177.8 mm) |
| Weight: | 5 lb. (2.27 kg) |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Which violin size is best for beginning children/teenagers?
The chart above is a good outline for the best violins based on age, but arm length is the measurement you should use to decide which size to get.
People grow at different rates and in different ways, so while the age ranges can give you a rough idea, only the measuring tape can tell you for sure.
Which violin size is best for beginning adults?
While most adults are going to be playing a 4/4 size violin, those who have small hands or short arms may be better suited to a 7/8 size, or even in some cases a 3/4 size.
How the instrument feels in your hands is what is most important, so use whichever side fits your dimensions most comfortably.
Does violin size affect sound/tone?
Like most other acoustic string instruments, their hollowed out body is what is used to resonate the sounds being played on the strings.
When a violin is smaller, a 1/16 size for example, there is less space available for the sound to resonate. This means that the bigger the violin’s size, the more its sound will resonate and its tone will be richer and fuller.
Here is a video demonstrating violins of different sizes:
