Fiddleheads Violin Studio

Free Violin Sizing & Measurements Chart

* Approximate sizing and measurements. Exact size/dimensions will vary from maker to maker.
Note that 1 inch = 2.54 cm

1. Age of Player 2. Player's Arm 3. Violin 4. Violin Measurements 5. Bow Our in-Stock
Length (to wrist or Size (Length: Body AND Total) Length Violins in this
palm) Size

11 years to Adult 23" and larger 4/4 14" AND 23"-23.5" 29.5" Most stock in
or Full size this size,
even left-handed
58cm and larger 35.5cm AND 60cm 75cm
violins

Small Teen / Adult 22" and small hands 7/8 size ~13.5" AND 22.5" use 4/4 VN-100
(29.5") VN-101
VN-102
56cm and small hands ~34.3cm AND 57.2cm use
4/4 (75cm)

9-12 years 21.5" - 22" 3/4 size 13" AND 21" 27" VN-100
VN-101
VN-102
54.6cm - 56cm 33cm AND 53.3cm 68.6cm

7-9 years 20" 1/2 size 12.5" AND 20.5" 24.5" VN-100
VN-101
VN-102
50.8cm 31.75cm AND 52cm 62.2cm

5-7 year 18" - 18.5" 1/4 size 11" AND 18.5"-19" 22.5" VN-100
VN-101
VN-102
45.7cm - 47cm 28cm AND 48.25cm 57.15 cm

4-6 years 16.5" 1/8 size 10" AND 17" 19.25" VN-100
VN-101
VN-102
42cm 25cm AND 43 cm 48.9cm

4-5 years 15" 1/10 size 9" AND 16" 17.75" Consider
1/8 size
or Special Order
38cm 22.9cm AND 40.6cm 45

3-5 years 14" 1/16 size 8" AND 14.5" 16.75" VN-100
or Special Order
35.5cm 20.3cm AND 36.8cm 42.5cm

1-3 years - Under 14" 1/32 size 7.5" AND 13"-13.5"" 15" Consider
Download our free 1/16 size
cardboard violin or Special Order
Under 35.5cm 19cm AND 32cm 38cm

Copyright ©1997 Fiddleheads Violin Studio & Rhiannon Nachbaur. www.Fiddleheads.com

 Fiddleheads Violin Studio
Free Viola Sizing & Measurements Chart
* Approximate sizing and measurements. Exact size/dimensions will vary from maker to maker.
Note that 1 inch = 2.54 cm

1. Age of Player 2. Player's Arm 3. Viola Size 4. Viola Measurements 5. Bow Our in-Stock
Length (to wrist (Length: Body) Length Violas in this Size
or palm)

Tall Adult / Teen 26" and larger 16.5" 16" or 16.5" 29.25" VA-200
or 16" Viola [full viola] VA-202
or Special Order
66cm 40.6cm or 42cm 75cm

Average Adult / Teen 25" - 25.25" 15.5" Viola 15.5" 29.25" VA-200
[full viola] VA-202
or Special Order
63.5cm - 64cm 39.4cm 75cm

Small Adult/ Teen, 24.5" 15" Viola 15" 29.25" Special Order
Child 10-12 years [full viola]

62.2cm 38cm 75cm

9-12 years 23" 14" Viola 14" 29.25" 4/4 Violins

[4/4 Violin [full viola] with Viola C-string
strung as viola] or Special Order
58cm 35.5cm 75cm

7-9 years 21.5"-22" 13" Viola 13" 27" 3/4 Violins

[3/4 Violin [3/4 violin] with Viola C-string
strung as viola] or Special Order
54.6cm - 55.9cm 33cm 68.6cm

6-7 years 20" 12" Viola 12" 24.5" 1/2 Violins

[1/2 Violin [1/2 violin] with Viola C-string
strung as viola] or Special Order
50.8cm 30.5cm 62.2cm

3-5 years 15" Consider 8" AND 14.5" 19.25" 1/8 Violins
starting on or Special Order
1/8 or 1/16
38cm 20.3cm AND 36.8cm 48.9cm
size violin

1-3 years - We Under 14" Consider 7.5" AND 13"-13.5"" 15" Special Order
recommend you starting on
download our 1/32 size violin
Under 35.5cm 19cm AND 32cm 38cm
free cardboard violin

Note: Seeking a small viola? We can convert a violin into a smaller viola with special gauge C-strings.

Copyright ©1997 Fiddleheads Violin Studio & Rhiannon Nachbaur. www.Fiddleheads.com 2

 Further Instructions

1. Age of Player
Children
Some children are exceptions to the rule, but this chart provides a general age range for these instruments. As a teacher I have
worked with 10-year-olds who played full size violins. The most important thing in deciding the correct size is that the student
can comfortably play the instrument in tune. Fourth finger, or pinky, reach and intonation (can it be played in tune?) may be
the deciding factor.
For example, one of my first students played a full size starting on her 10th birthday! It looked a bit big, but she could play it in
tune and truly appreciated the bigger sound the full size produced. She grew into it over the summer and her parents were glad
they didn't buy a 3/4 or else she would have outgrown it in a few months.
Adults
All adults use a full size violin, with the exception of very small adults and some teens who are more the size of a child.
These players will sometimes play a 3/4, though they will get a better sound from a 7/8 size violin. The advantage to a 7/8 is a
big sound with a smaller scale for playability. 7/8 size violins are more difficult to locate used, however most of our new
violins are available in 7/8 size and we can also have a violin custom made for you.

2. Player's Arm Length

To accurately discern which size is correct for the player, run a measuring tape from the left side of the player's neck to palm
of their outstretched left arm and second time from the neck to the wrist. (The arm must not be bent at the elbow and is at a
right angle to the body. Palm faces up at the ceiling)
Violists: measure from neck to palm at the base of the fingers, not the wrist. Violas are sized large.
Check the measurements on the violin chart above:
A. PALM: The neck to palm measurement indicates the largest size that would be appropriate. Only go larger than this
size if the child is growing rather quickly and if you are certain the teacher will not object to the large violin.
B. WRIST: The neck to wrist measurement provides a comfortable size. Suzuki teachers in particular are trained to teach
players on a violin fitting this way (not too large).
As stated in point 1, the most important thing in playing a large-ish instrument is that the player can comfortably play in tune.
(Again, 4th finger intonation may be the deciding factor).
Please note that even left-handed players play a regular, right-handed violin. Lefties need not worry they can't play the violin! I
have taught many lefties and they play the same as everyone else.
Even simpler
If you have the violin you are trying to size with the young student you can simply check it against the player's arm. Have
the student hold the violin up on the left shoulder and extending out 45 degrees from their side (not in the front, not to the
side.)
Next, ask the player to reach from under the violin to the scroll (curly end) of the violin with their outstretched left hand,
curving the fingers around the scroll from below. If the left elbow is slightly bent and comfortable the violin is the proper
size. If the elbow is straight and/or the player cannot reach the scroll the instrument is too large.
Finally, if the elbow is bent at a smaller than 90 degree angle and appears very easy to reach the violin may be too small.
For more help on purchasing the correct size from our shop please take your measurements and contact us prior to your
order from us.

3. Violin or Viola Size

Violins are either "full size" or "fractional. Adults, teens and children age 10-12 play full size. Children play 3/4 and smaller
violins depending on their size. The bow used matches the size of the instrument. For example, a 3/4 violin is paired with a
3/4 size violin bow. [Continued next page]

Copyright ©1997 Fiddleheads Violin Studio & Rhiannon Nachbaur. www.Fiddleheads.com 3

 *Note that Violas are not sized like violins in fractions, rather they are measured by the length of their bodies in inches. For
example, a typical sized viola for a student age 12 has a body 15.5" in length and the same sizing rules do not apply
as violas are expected to fit a bit big, but not so big as to tire the player. I tend to recommend violas on the smaller side.
Selecting a viola with a big tone is better than a too-large viola for the player.

4. Violin Measurements (Length- Body/Total)

These measurements vary from maker to maker by as much as 3/4". If you are unsure which sized instrument you have,
carefully take two measurements with a tape or string. Violas only require one measurement; the body (measurement #2).
1. Measure first the violin the length of the violin from the top of the scroll to the bottom (excluding the end pin at the
bottom).
2. Next measure the body from the "shoulders" of the violin to the bottom. Do not include the jutting-out section at the
base of the violin's neck in your measurements.
*Note that the width of the violin (measuring the upper or lower "bout") varies widely from maker to maker or style to style.
Instruments made in the style of Guarneri tend to have wider lower bouts than Strad models, and thus a bigger volume and
depth of tone.
Oversized Violins: Some Suggestions
So your child is growing like a weed and is too big for the 1/4 violin you purchased last year. Should you buy a
1/2 size violin, which would fit now but may be too small in 6 months? Or should you skip to a 3/4 and let him
grow into it?
As a teacher I encounter this dilemma frequently and make the decision to skip a size on a case by case basis.
Choosing to use a larger violin can be a wise choice if the student is growing rapidly and if you are paying a bit more to
have a better quality, larger violin rather than buying an intermediate violin and replacing it soon after. Rather than buying
two cheaper violins one after another, the larger violin would be used longer, thus it would make sense to invest a bit more
money into it.
In my time teaching I have had many students skip a size and only once was it not a wise choice. Once a 10-year-old
student's family had a good line on a nice 3/4 violin, but it was an inch or so too large for their daughter. Taking her age
into consideration, as well as the quality of the instrument in question, we thought it best for her to take the size jump.
Surprisingly though, the girl did not grow any taller for three years. Now, as a very petite teen, the violin fits her perfectly,
though most people at this age are in a 4/4. She was just destined to be petite.
We realise the jump was not appropriate for her; but how do you know the child will stop growing? Thankfully the girl's
mother and I laugh at the situation now and all worry is gone: She plays wonderfully. If anything, the student really learned
to stretch for her 4th finger notes and has excellent intonation!
The important thing here is that the student is able to or very close to playing the 4th finger in tune. If they can reach this
fingering with the properly curved, arched finger shape (not straight) the violin will be comfortably usable.
For children skipping a size and playing a slightly large violin you should carefully consider playing a lighter weight violin
over a heavy one. Heavier or bulkier violins can be harder to hold up, overextended for long periods of time causing the
student to not want to practice for long. A student who has quit never saves the parents money on the violin purchase!
Another suggestion here is to use a shoulder rest to aid in holding a violin or viola which is too large and needs more
support.

5. Bows
Violin bows are sized proportionately with the violin sizes (3/4 violin uses a 3/4 bow), with the exception of 7/8 violins,
which use a 4/4 size bow.
Viola bows are only available in "full" size. Full viola bows are the same length as a 4/4 violin bow. Violists seeking fractional-
(child-) sized bows for violas 14" and under simply use a violin bow. For example, a 14" viola player would use a 4/4 violin
bow, a 13" viola player would use a 3/4 size violin bow.
Fun Fact: The way to determine the difference is that a viola bow's frog is rounded on the corner. A violin bow has a
square corner on the frog.

Copyright ©1997 Fiddleheads Violin Studio & Rhiannon Nachbaur. www.Fiddleheads.com 4