If your child is looking for their first instrument, there’s a high chance it will be a guitar – it’s one of the most popular (not to mention, coolest!) instruments to learn. But while it’s great that your child has settled on an instrument to learn, the challenge comes with actually picking the right model and size for them.
In this guide for parents, we’ll help you choose the right guitar size for your child, showing you suitable guitar sizes for ages 4 to 13+. This is essentially a no-fuss manual, giving you the key information you need to help you find the perfect entry-level guitar. But first, the crucial question you need to ask is, does your child want an acoustic or an electric guitar?
Acoustic vs. electric guitar
The size and weight of a guitar are the two main factors that affect its playability – and it’s something to think about when choosing between an acoustic and an electric guitar.
Acoustic guitars tend to have a larger body and fretboard, which can make them hard for small hands to manage. However, that is why 3/4 sizes and parlour guitars exist! These are slightly easier to play than full-sized acoustics and allow young children to pick up key techniques quickly. It’s also important to remember that acoustic guitars tend to be lighter, making them more convenient to carry when going to and from lessons or gigs.
Electric guitars, on the other hand, have a slimmer body and fretboard, so small fingers won’t have to stretch as far to reach the frets. However, electric guitars require additional equipment, such as an amplifier and cables – consider this when deciding your budget.
For more details on electric guitar body types and how they differ, have a look at our electric body shapes guide.
Age range and guitar size chart
| Age Range | Child's Height | Acoustic Guitar Size Recommendation | Electric Guitar Size Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4-6-year-olds | 37 inches – 49 inches | Guitarlele/1/2 size Junior 1/2 Classical Guitar by Gear4music | 3/4 size 3/4 LA Electric Guitar by Gear4music |
| 7-9-year-olds | 46 inches – 56 inches | 3/4 size 3/4 Classical Guitar by Gear4music | 3/4 size 3/4 LA Electric Guitar by Gear4music |
| 10-12-year-olds | 50 inches – 64 inches | Full size/parlour Hartwood Villanelle Parlour Acoustic Guitar | Full size VISIONSTRING Electric Guitar Pack |
| 13-year-olds+ | 64 inches+ | Full size Hartwood Villanelle Cutaway Electro Acoustic Guitar | Full size G4M 529 Electric Guitar |
Choosing the right guitar size for a child
4-6-year-olds
Acoustic guitar size: Guitarlele/1/2 size
Electric guitar size: 3/4 size
For children aged 4-6, a guitarlele or 1/2-sized acoustic guitar is an ideal fit. A guitarlele is the most compact of the two, resembling a ukulele but with six strings. If you opt for a guitarlele, keep in mind that it’s tuned higher than an average guitar, so the songs your child plays will be at a higher pitch than normal.
Similar to guitarleles, 1/2-sized guitars are smaller and lighter than their full-scale counterparts, meaning they’re more manageable to carry and play.
The shorter neck ensures your child can comfortably reach all the frets without straining; the compact body size means they can pick or strum the strings without any awkward positioning; and the overall reduced weight means they’re easy to take to school and lessons.
At this level, we recommend our Junior 1/2 Classical Guitar. It has all the benefits that we’ve just discussed and it has nylon strings, which are softer than typical steel strings and more enjoyable to play for young fingers. The guitar is also available as part of a bundle, comprising a gig bag and tuner.
For children at this age, we wouldn’t really recommend electric guitars as they can be quite heavy and require an amp and cables – something you might not want to invest in if you don’t know whether or not your child will commit to the instrument.
However, an electric guitar’s neck is naturally thinner than an acoustic’s and the frets are narrower, meaning they’re easier to move across.
If your child does want an electric guitar, we suggest a 3/4-sized model like the 3/4 LA Electric Guitar. This is easy to manage and offers room for growth as your child gets older and more skilled at the instrument. To give your child everything they need out of the box, opt for the 3/4 LA Electric Guitar Pack; it includes a gig bag, strap, cables, and a mini amp.
7-9-year-olds
Acoustic guitar size: 3/4 size
Electric guitar size: 3/4 size
If your child is aged between 7 and 9, look for a 3/4 size guitar – whether that’s acoustic or electric. A 3/4-sized acoustic guitar has a very similar feel to a full-size, which is great for kids at this age who need something that can slightly challenge them yet still feel comfortable to play.
These guitars are also great for adults – Ed Sheeran plays 3/4 acoustics!
Our 3/4 Classical Guitar is a great entry-level instrument. Similar to the Junior 1/2 size, it has nylon strings and a comfortable body shape to make learning easy and enjoyable. It’s also available with a gig bag and tuner.
3/4 electrics, such as the 3/4 LA Electric (available on its own or as part of an all-in-one pack), also provide a similar playing experience to that of their full-sized counterparts.
The difference between the two is that a 3/4 model has a 24”-inch scale length, whereas a full scale is 25.5”.
10-12-year-olds
Acoustic guitar size: Full size/parlour
Electric guitar size: Full size
At the ages between 10 and 12, we reach full-sized guitar territory. This is the age when children can handle a larger instrument and will likely want something that they can practise more advanced techniques with.
A full-sized acoustic guitar comes in many shapes – making matters even more confusing! For children aged 10 – 12, we recommend a parlour acoustic as they’re the most compact full-sized guitar, meaning they’re the easiest to handle for smaller players.
They also deliver a balanced, focused sound, which is ideal for a range of genres and playing styles.
Our suggestion is the Hartwood Villanelle Parlour Acoustic Guitar. It has a solid Sitka spruce and mahogany build, delivering the perfect blend of clear high frequencies and warm lows that complement the natural tone of the parlour shape.
For more information on guitar construction, check out our acoustic guitar tonewood guide.
Other popular full-sized guitar shapes include concert, auditorium, dreadnought, and jumbo – listed from smallest to largest. These provide a fuller, more resonant sound than fractional guitar sizes, which can help your child develop a better ear for tone. If you’re looking for something larger than a parlour, our guide to concerts vs. dreadnoughts is a good place to start.
Full-sized electric guitars are also suitable for this age group. They allow kids to explore the entire scale length and practise solos at the top frets. You won’t find a universal set of shapes that all brands follow, but you will find brand-specific body shapes. We suggest matching the electric guitar body shape to your child’s favourite artist’s guitar.
The VISIONSTRING Electric Guitar Pack is a great bundle for beginner electric guitarists. As well as a full-sized electric, it comes with a gig gag, a strap, picks, an amp, and a tuner – everything your child needs to start learning and performing right away.
13-year-olds+
Acoustic guitar size: Full size/concert/auditorium/dreadnought
Electric guitar size: Full size
If your child is in their teenage years, they’ll need an instrument that they can keep growing with. This is where the larger acoustic shapes can be really beneficial.
For example, a dreadnought shape is great if your child wants something with huge sound, i.e., deep resonant lows, clarity in the top end, and plenty of volume.
It is quite bulky, so it might take a bit of getting used to, but something like the Hartwood Villanelle Cutaway Electro Acoustic Guitar is a fantastic option as it includes a cutaway which makes accessing the top frets easier.
The Villanelle can also be plugged into an amp for extra volume. If a dreadnought is too big, a concert or auditorium guitar might be more suitable.
Electric guitar-wise, we recommend another full-sized model such as the G4M 529 Electric Guitar.
In fact, pretty much all G4M electric guitars are ideal for kids over the age of 13 as they come in a range of cool, fierce shapes at affordable prices.
Frequently asked questions
What type of guitar is best for a 7-year-old?
A 3/4 classical guitar is best for a 7-year-old. It’s small enough for a child of this age to handle and it includes nylon strings that are softer on the fingers than steel strings. Both of these benefits make the 3/4 classical guitar an enjoyable starter instrument for a 7-year-old.
When should I buy my child a guitar?
The age of 6 tends to be the youngest that a child can start learning. Their cognitive ability will be developed enough for them to learn songs on the guitar and they should have enough attention span and focus for 30-minute lessons and daily practice.
Are acoustic guitars harder to play than electric?
Acoustic guitars are usually harder to play than electric guitars because they have higher string tension, making the strings harder to press down. This is why classical nylon-string guitars are recommended for beginner acoustic guitarists.
Final thoughts
If you’re looking for your child’s first guitar, we hope our sizing guide has helped. Choosing the right guitar size for a child can seem like a minefield but the main thing to remember is to start with 3/4 nylon-string guitars and 3/4 electrics for children under 10 years old. If your child is over the age of 10, they will probably be able to handle a full-sized acoustic or electric.
For more guitar guides, check out some of our other articles here:
How to Clean a Guitar and Keep It in Pristine Condition
27 Easy Guitar Songs for Beginners
The 11 Best Acoustic Guitars – Options for Every Ability Level and Budget
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