How to size your Child

The following steps will help you find the correct size violin, viola, cello, or bass for your child.

Step 1: Get a yardstick or tape measure.

Step 2: Have your child stand up straight and place his/her left hand straight out to the side with the palm up.

Step 3: Place the yardstick or tape measure at the base of the neck and measure out to the center of their upraised palm.

Step 4: Use the conversion chart below to determine the best instrument size.

Violin Conversions:

< 14 1/8″14 1/4" to 16 3/4"16 7/8" to 18 3/4"18 1/2" to 20 1/4"20 3/8" to 22 1/8"22 1/4" to 23 5/8"23 3/4" >
1/161/101/81/41/23/44/4

Viola Conversions:

18 1/2″ to 20 1/4″20 3/8″ to 22 1/4″22 3/8" to 23 5/8"23 3/4″ to 24 3/4″ 24 7/8″ to 25 1/2″25 5/8″ to 26 3/8″26 1/2″ to 27 1/4″27 1/4" >
11"12"13"14"15"15 1/2"16"16 1/2"

Cello Conversions:

<14 1/8"14 1/4" to 16 3/4"16 7/8″ to 18 3/8″18 1/2″ to 20 1/4″20 3/8″ to 22 1/8″22 1/4″ to 23 5/8″23 3/4″ >
1/161/101/81/41/23/44/4

Bass Conversions:

18″ to 20 1/4″20 3/8″ to 22 1/8″22 1/4″ to 23 5/8″23 3/4″ >
1/81/41/23/4