Best Guitars for Kids by Age and Size

A full size guitar on a small child is like an adult bicycle on a six year old. They can hold it, but they cannot ride it. The right size keeps a young player comfortable and practicing.

Why size matters

On a guitar that is too big, a child has to stretch to reach the first frets and lift an elbow high over the body. Their hand tires fast and chords buzz. A smaller guitar brings the frets closer together and the body under the arm.

Rough sizes by age

• Half size. Roughly ages 5 to 8.
• Three quarter size. Roughly ages 8 to 12.
• Full size. Around age 12 and up, or sooner for a tall child.

These are starting points, not rules. Height and arm length matter more than birthdays. If a child is between sizes, the smaller one is usually the better choice.

Nylon strings for the youngest players

Classical guitars use nylon strings, which are softer under small fingers than steel. That makes them a kind first instrument.

Small electric guitars

Electric guitars have thin strings and slim necks, so they are easy for kids to press. A short scale model keeps the reach manageable. Remember that an electric guitar also needs an amplifier.

What about a ukulele

For very young children a ukulele is often the best start. It has four soft strings and a tiny body, and the chord shapes carry over to guitar later. See our ukulele buying guide.

Set up matters even more for kids

Small hands have less strength, so high strings are a bigger problem on a child's guitar than on an adult's. Every instrument we ship is set up by hand on our bench in Athens, Tennessee first. Read what a guitar setup is to see what that covers.

See acoustic guitars, electric guitars and ukuleles. Questions? Call the shop at (423) 462-1894 and a real person will help you choose.