How to choose the right size guitar

There are many ways to measure the guitars. Normally, the full size of a classic guitar is 39”; the full size of an acoustic guitar is 41”. How can we classify the guitars in 39” or 41”? For a classic guitar, you can measure it from the top of the headstock to the bottom of the body, then you will get the size 39”. For an acoustic guitar, the same way, then you will get the size 41”.

The overall length of the guitar is a good indicator of whether it is the correct size for the student.  The only way to know the true size of a guitar is to measure its “scale length”. The scale length of a guitar is the length from the “bridge” of the guitar to the “nut” of the guitar. See the example below.

As you can see from the picture above, the scale length measures the part of the strings that actually vibrate when you pluck the string. This is the only relevant way to compare guitar sizes. A 39″ classical guitar and a 41″ steel string guitar can have the exact same “scale length” and both of them can be “full size” guitars. The only way to be certain what size they are is to measure the scale length.

Guitar Scale length Chart - lengths can vary slightly

Size	Scale length
4/4 full size	24.75″ or 25.5″
3/4 size	22.75″
1/2 size	20.5″
1/4 size	19″

Guitar Type Size Chart - (common overall lengths) 

	Classical  (nylon string)	Acoustic (steel string)	Electric Guitar
4/4 full size	39”-40”	40”-42”	38”-40”
3/4 size	36”	38”	34”-36”
1/2 size	33”	36”	33”
1/4 size	31”	32”	31”

The overall length of the guitar can vary widely depending on the style and overall design of the guitar. 

Choosing the right size guitar to use depends on the arm’s reaching of your child.  You can use age to determine the approximate guitar size for your child using the following chart.

Age	Height of Player	Size of Guitar
4-6 years old	3′3″ to 3′9″	1/4 size
5-8 years old	3′10″ to 4′5″	1/2 size
8-11 years old	4′6″ to 4′11″	3/4 size
11-Adult	5′ or taller	4/4 size

In our student guitar line, the model AC851 is in the size 39”. It can also be made to small size guitars. If being made in 38”, our model will be AC831. If in 36”, our model is AC821. If in 34”, our model is AC811. If in 32”, our model is AC32. If in 30”, our model is AC30. When you choose this kind of products, it will be for your reference.

There are some special sizes for some famous guitars in the world. Let’s take example of acoustic guitar as below:

Grand Concert：

The Grand Concert is the perfect guitar for fingerstyle playing and vocal accompaniment.

Body Length	19-3/8″
Body Depth @ End Pin	4-3/4″
Upper Bout Width	10″
Waist Width	8-3/8″
Lower Bout Width	14-3/4″

Like our guitar model: ACH30A 

Auditorium Size：An exceptional guitar for fingerstyle players, the Auditorium size also holds its own in ensemble playing.

Body Length	19-3/8″
Body Depth @ End Pin	4-1/8″
Upper Bout Width	11-1/4″
Waist Width	9-3/16″
Lower Bout Width	15″

Like our guitar model: AFH131C 

Dreadnought：The Dreadnought-size body is at its best in ensemble settings, where ultimate power and focus of tone is required to be heard among other instruments. 

Body Length	20″
Body Depth @ End Pin	4-7/8″
Upper Bout Width	11-1/2″
Waist Width	10-3/4″
Lower Bout Width	15-5/8″

Like our guitar model: AFM30, AFM40 

“Round-shouldered” Dreadnought：The round-shouldered Dreadnought is a wonderful guitar, possessed of a somewhat warmer tone than the classic Dreadnought style, and is highly prized by modern Blues and fingerstyle players.

Body Length	20-1/4″
Body Depth @ End Pin	4-7/8″
Upper Bout Width	11-1/2″
Waist Width	10-3/4″
Lower Bout Width	16″

Like our guitar model: AFH130 

Super Jumbo：The original pre-War Super Jumbo guitars featured a 16-7/8″ body with Spruce top and Brazilian Rosewood back & sides.

Body Length	20-5/8″
Body Depth @ End Pin	4-7/8″
Upper Bout Width	12-1/2″
Waist Width	10-1/8″
Lower Bout Width	16-1/2″

Like our guitar model: AF665CE

This is where the purchase of a custom guitar really comes through: by carefully considering all the factors of body size and tone woods, you can help custom-tailor the perfect instrument whose purpose is to enhance the creation of your music, not a factory-made “one-size-fits-all” guitar. In this way, your guitar becomes more than just a tool; it becomes a musical partner that can help you create a lifetime of your music.