Guitar Sizes: Dimensions of Fractional, Acoustic, Classical, Electric and Bass Guitars
Overall length, body size and scale length for every common guitar, from the 1/4 size for young children to dreadnoughts, electrics and basses, with a size-by-height chart and what each measurement means for playing.
A full-size acoustic guitar is about 40–41 in (102–104 cm) long, 15–16 in (38–41 cm) wide at the lower bout and about 4–5 in (10–12.5 cm) deep, with a scale length near 25.5 in (648 mm). A full-size electric is about 38–39 in (97–99 cm) long. Fractional guitars are shorter: about 36 in (91 cm) for a 3/4, 34 in (86 cm) for a 1/2 and 30–31 in (76–79 cm) for a 1/4.
- Full acoustic length
- 40–41 in (102–104 cm)
- Full electric length
- 38–39 in (97–99 cm)
- 3/4 guitar length
- ≈ 36 in (91 cm)
- Bass (long scale)
- 34 in scale, ≈ 46 in
On this page
Guitar sizes chart: 1/4 to full size
Fractional guitars are scaled-down versions of a full-size instrument. The number that matters most is the scale length, the distance from the nut to the saddle that the strings vibrate over. It sets how far apart the frets are, and so how far a small hand has to stretch.
| Size | Overall length | Scale (steel-string) | Scale (classical) | Player height | Typical age |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/4 | 30–31 in (76–79 cm) | about 19 in (483 mm) | 440–480 mm | Under 3 ft 10 in (117 cm) | 4–6 |
| 1/2 | 34 in (86 cm) | 20.5–21 in (520–535 mm) | 530–545 mm | 3 ft 10 in–4 ft 5 in (117–135 cm) | 5–8 |
| 3/4 | 36 in (91 cm) | 22.75–23.5 in (578–597 mm) | 580 mm | 4 ft 5 in–5 ft (135–152 cm) | 8–11 |
| 7/8 | 38 in (97 cm) | 24 in (610 mm) | 610–630 mm | 5 ft–5 ft 3 in (152–160 cm) | 11–13, small adults |
| 4/4 (full) | 39–41 in (99–104 cm) | 24.75–25.5 in (629–648 mm) | 650 mm | 5 ft 3 in+ (160 cm+) | 12+ and adults |
Height and age are starting points. Brands label their small guitars differently: the Baby Taylor (22.75 in scale, about 34 in long) and the Little Martin LX1 (23 in scale) are sold as 3/4 size, while the Taylor GS Mini (23.5 in scale) is marketed as a mini. Compare scale lengths rather than fraction labels.
Choosing the size for a child
- Seat the child with feet flat on the floor and the guitar on the right leg (left leg for left-handers).
- Check the reach. The left hand should reach the first fret with the elbow still bent, without the child leaning forward.
- Check the arm over the body. The right forearm should rest on the upper edge of the body with the hand over the sound hole. If the shoulder rises to get there, the body is too deep or too wide.
- Between sizes, choose the smaller. Children who struggle to press the strings or reach the frets tend to give up. Moving up a size later is cheap compared with a lost habit.
Acoustic guitar body sizes
Full-size steel-string acoustics share similar scale lengths but differ a lot in body size. Bigger bodies give more bass and volume; smaller ones are easier to hold and record more evenly.
| Body style | Lower bout width | Body depth | Overall length | Typical scale |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parlor | 13–13.5 in (33–34 cm) | 3.5–4.2 in (9–10.5 cm) | 37–39 in (94–99 cm) | 24–25 in |
| Concert / Grand concert | 13.5–15 in (34–38 cm) | 4–4.4 in (10–11 cm) | 38–40 in (97–102 cm) | 24.75–25.4 in |
| Auditorium (OM, 000) | 15–16 in (38–41 cm) | 4.1–4.6 in (10.5–11.7 cm) | 39.5–40.5 in (100–103 cm) | 24.9–25.5 in |
| Dreadnought | 15.6 in (39.7 cm) | 4.9 in (12.4 cm) | 41 in (104 cm) | 25.4 in (645 mm) |
| Jumbo | 16–17 in (41–43 cm) | 4.5–5 in (11.4–12.7 cm) | 41–42 in (104–107 cm) | 25.5 in |
| Classical | 14.4 in (36.5 cm) | 3.7–4 in (9.5–10 cm) | 39 in (99 cm) | 650 mm (25.6 in) |
The Martin D-28 defined the dreadnought: 15 5/8 in across the lower bout, a 20 in (51 cm) body and a 25.4 in scale. A Martin 000 uses the same 15 in lower bout as an OM but a shorter 24.9 in scale, which makes it slightly easier to fret. A Gibson J-200 is the reference jumbo at about 17 in wide.
Classical guitars use nylon strings, a wider and flatter neck (about 52 mm at the nut) and a 650 mm scale. They are about the same overall length as a small steel-string guitar but feel larger in the left hand because of the neck width.
Electric guitar dimensions
Solid-body electrics are shorter and much thinner than acoustics, which is why a full-size electric can feel smaller than a 3/4 acoustic.
| Model type | Overall length | Body width | Body thickness | Scale length | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stratocaster style | 39 in (99 cm) | 12.75–13 in (32–33 cm) | 1.75 in (44.5 mm) | 25.5 in (648 mm) | 7–8.5 lb (3.2–3.9 kg) |
| Telecaster style | 38.5 in (98 cm) | 12.75 in (32 cm) | 1.75 in (44.5 mm) | 25.5 in (648 mm) | 7–9 lb (3.2–4.1 kg) |
| Les Paul style | 39 in (99 cm) | 13 in (33 cm) | 2–2.5 in (51–64 mm) with carved top | 24.75 in (629 mm) | 8.5–10.5 lb (3.9–4.8 kg) |
| SG style | 39 in (99 cm) | 12.75 in (32 cm) | 1.4 in (35 mm) | 24.75 in (629 mm) | 6–7.5 lb (2.7–3.4 kg) |
| Semi-hollow (ES-335 style) | 42–43 in (107–109 cm) | 16 in (41 cm) | 1.75 in (44.5 mm) | 24.75 in (629 mm) | 7.5–9 lb (3.4–4.1 kg) |
Weights vary by wood density, so two guitars of the same model can differ by more than 1 lb. Other common scales: 25 in (635 mm) on PRS guitars, 24 in (610 mm) on short-scale models such as the Fender Mustang and Jaguar, 22.75 in (578 mm) on 3/4 electrics such as the Squier Mini, and 27–30 in on baritone guitars.
Bass guitar dimensions
| Scale | Length | Typical overall length | Used on |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mini / children's | 28–28.6 in (711–726 mm) | about 38–40 in (97–102 cm) | Young players, travel basses |
| Short scale | 30–30.5 in (762–775 mm) | about 41–43 in (104–109 cm) | Smaller players, vintage-style basses |
| Medium scale | 32 in (813 mm) | about 43–44 in (109–112 cm) | A middle ground for smaller hands |
| Long scale (standard) | 34 in (864 mm) | about 46 in (117 cm) | Most four-string basses (Precision, Jazz) |
| Extra-long | 35–36 in (889–914 mm) | about 47–48 in (119–122 cm) | Five- and six-string basses |
A standard bass is about 7 in (18 cm) longer than a Stratocaster-type guitar, which matters when you choose a case, a wall hanger or a car. A long-scale bass in a hard case usually needs about 50 in (127 cm) of clear length.
Neck sizes
- Nut width: 1.65–1.69 in (42–43 mm) on most electrics, 1.69–1.75 in (43–44.5 mm) on steel-string acoustics and about 2.05 in (52 mm) on classical guitars. Fingerstyle players often prefer the wider acoustic necks.
- Frets: 21 or 22 on most electrics, 20 on most acoustics, 19 on classical guitars, and 24 on many modern rock guitars.
- Neck joint: steel-string acoustics usually join the body at the 14th fret and classical guitars at the 12th, which is why classicals look shorter in the neck at the same scale length.
Cases, travel and storage
- Hard cases add roughly 2–3 in (5–8 cm) to the length and 2–3 in to the width of the guitar. A dreadnought case is typically about 43–44 in (109–112 cm) long; a Stratocaster-type case is about 41–42 in (104–107 cm).
- Flying: in the US, airlines must let a guitar on board as carry-on if it fits in the overhead bin or a closet and space is free when you board, under the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012. Full-size acoustics in hard cases often do not fit smaller jets' bins, so a gig bag or a smaller-bodied guitar gives you better odds. Bag limits by airline are on the carry-on size rules page.
- Shipping: a cased dreadnought needs a box of about 46 × 19 × 8 in (117 × 48 × 20 cm). See shipping box sizes for how dimensional weight affects the cost.
Other instruments are sized very differently: violins use fractions by arm length (see the violin size chart), and a full-size 4/4 violin is only about 23.5 in long. For a room that will also hold a keyboard, the piano size guide lists the floor space for uprights and grands.
Frequently asked questions
What is a 1/2 size guitar?
A 1/2 size guitar is about 34 in (86 cm) long with a scale length of roughly 20.5–21.5 in (520–545 mm). It suits children of about 5 to 8, or roughly 3 ft 10 in to 4 ft 5 in (117–135 cm) tall.
How long is a standard electric guitar compared with a 3/4 guitar?
A full-size electric such as a Stratocaster or Les Paul is about 38.5–39.5 in (98–100 cm) long. A 3/4 electric is about 34–36 in (86–91 cm) long and has a scale near 22.75 in (578 mm), so it is around 3–4 in shorter overall.
What guitar has a 19.5 inch scale length?
A scale of about 19–19.5 in (480–495 mm) is typical of 1/4 size guitars and a few mini travel guitars. It is meant for children of about 4 to 6. Adult travel guitars usually keep a scale of 22.75 in or longer.
What is the scale length of a 1/2 size or short bass guitar?
There is no single fractional bass standard. Short-scale basses use 30–30.5 in (762–775 mm), and mini basses for children are typically about 28–28.6 in (711–726 mm). A full-size bass uses 34 in (864 mm).
What is the most common acoustic guitar size?
The dreadnought. It has a lower bout of about 15.6 in (39.7 cm), a body depth of about 4.9 in (12.4 cm) and a 25.4 in (645 mm) scale, and it is about 41 in (104 cm) long.
How wide is a guitar neck?
Measured at the nut: about 1.65–1.69 in (42–43 mm) on most electrics, 1.69–1.75 in (43–44.5 mm) on steel-string acoustics and about 2.05 in (52 mm) on classical guitars.