What Size Violin Do I Need? – Fitting the violin by arm length

THERE ARE TWO METHODS OF DETERMINING WHAT SIZE VIOLIN YOU OR YOUR CHILD NEED:

METHOD 1:

A. MEASURE YOURSELF: Measure in inches, the length between your neck and the middle of your left-hand palm (when your arm is fully extended just like holding a violin).

B. CHOOSE THE RIGHT SIZE VIOLIN: Match the Violin Size given below with the measurement you have just taken. If your measurement is in between sizes, get the Violin Size that is below your measurement.
Violin Size – Arm Length in inches:
4/4 – 23 inches
3/4 – 22”
1/2 – 20”
1/4 – 18 ½”
1/8 – 16 ½”
1/10 – 15”
1/16 – 14”

METHOD 2:

If you don’t have a tape measure, there is a fast way to check:
A. Hold the violin in playing position on your left shoulder (preferably using a shoulder rest).
B. Extend your left arm further and with your left hand try to wrap your fingers all the way around the SCROLL (see diagram – wrap your fingers around the curled, round piece of wood at the end of the neck).

C. If you can see your finger nails wrapping around the scroll, then the violin is the right size and not too big for you. However, if you can wrap the fingers around without needing to straighten your elbow and arm, then the violin is too small for you and you need to try the next size.