Guitars for kids: which size to choose for their age (and the best ones to give)
For a child aged 3 to 5, a 1/4 classical guitar; from 5 to 8, a 1/2; and from 8 to 12, a 3/4 or cadet size. To start with, go classical: nylon strings do not hurt their fingers. A mini acoustic or a short-scale electric once they are older or know what they want to play.
Below you will find the size chart by age and height, how to check the guitar fits and the eight we recommend, from €56 to €655. You can find them all in our classical guitars for kids and 3/4 cadet guitars sections.
Read moreShow lessWHAT SIZE GUITAR DOES A CHILD NEED FOR THEIR AGE AND HEIGHT?
| Age | Height | Size | Approx. scale | In our shop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 to 5 | up to 1.10 m | 1/4 | 44-48 cm | Admira Rocío C6 1/4 |
| 5 to 8 | 1.10 to 1.30 m | 1/2 | about 53 cm | Admira Rocío C7 1/2 |
| 8 to 12 | 1.30 to 1.50 m | 3/4 (cadet) | about 58 cm | Rocío C16 3/4, Alba 3/4, Elsa 3/4 |
| 12 and over | 1.50 to 1.60 m | 7/8 | about 62 cm | — |
| Adults | over 1.60 m | 4/4 | 65 cm | — |
This is a rough guide, the one commonly used in the trade: height and arm length matter more than age.
How do you check the size is right?
If you can, let them try it. Seated, with the guitar resting on their leg, check three things:
- They can reach the first fret with their left hand without fully stretching their arm or leaning forward.
- Their right arm can wrap around the body of the guitar without raising their shoulder.
- They can see the neck without hunching over or resting their chin on the guitar.
If they cannot try it, measure their height: it is the best clue in the chart. Bear in mind that on our Rocío product pages the figure given is the overall length of the guitar (75 cm for the 1/4, 85 cm for the 1/2 and 90 cm for the 3/4), not the scale length.
What if they are between two sizes?
Under 8, go for the smaller one: a guitar that is too big forces their hand to stretch and puts them off. From 10 upwards, if they are close to the limit and growing fast, a 3/4 will last longer than a 1/2. If they are starting at a music school, ask the teacher which size they require.
Read moreShow lessCLASSICAL, ACOUSTIC OR ELECTRIC FOR A CHILD?
Why start with nylon strings?
A classical (or Spanish) guitar has nylon strings, which are softer than steel: they do not mark their fingers and need less pressure. That is why we recommend it to start with, and it is what music schools and conservatories ask for. If they are preparing to get in, there are more models in our selection of classical guitars for music school.
When does a mini acoustic make sense?
When the child is older, from about 10 onwards, and wants to play pop, folk or singer-songwriter songs. Steel strings sound brighter and louder, but they are harder to press: they hurt a little at first. These are small guitars, not toys, and they will also work as a travel guitar when they grow up.
What about a short-scale electric?
If they love rock, a short-scale electric such as the Squier Mini is a good way in: the neck is shorter and the strings are light. But it needs an amplifier, which adds to the budget. There are more options among the best cheap electric guitars.
If you want to see the differences between the three types in more detail, we explain them in classical, acoustic or electric guitar?.
Read moreShow lessWHICH GUITAR SHOULD YOU BUY FOR A CHILD AGED 3 TO 5?
Admira Rocío C6 1/4
Who it is for: For the youngest, up to about 1.10 m tall, who are starting to play around with music.
Why we like it: It is a real classical guitar, with nylon strings, in 1/4 size: 75 cm overall length. Gloss finish, in natural or black.
Good to know: At this age, wanting to pick it up matters more than technique. They will outgrow it at around 5 or 6.
Guide price: from €56.
If they are still too small for a guitar, a ukulele is a good alternative: four nylon strings, very little tension and a size that fits any hand, such as the Kala Makala soprano. We explain how to choose one in our ukulele buying guide.
Read moreShow lessAND FOR A CHILD AGED 5 TO 8?
Admira Rocío C7 1/2
Who it is for: For children between 1.10 and 1.30 m tall who are starting lessons or want to learn their first chords.
Why we like it: A nylon-string classical in 1/2 size, 85 cm overall: the natural next step after the 1/4, from the same series.
Good to know: It is a beginner guitar for the first few years. If they are going to study seriously, they will move to a 3/4 at around 8 or 9.
Guide price: from €58.
AND FROM AGE 8 UPWARDS?
From 8 to 12 the usual choice is a 3/4 or cadet size. If it is their first guitar and they are just starting, any of the three classicals will do; if they are older and want a different sound, look at the mini acoustic or the electric. You will find all the cadet guitars in our 3/4 cadet classical guitars section.
Read moreShow lessAdmira Rocío C16 3/4
Who it is for: For children aged 8 to 12 (according to the product page) who are starting out. It is the best seller in this selection.
Why we like it: Cadet size, 90 cm overall, linden back and sides. And in colours: natural, blue, pink or black.
Good to know: It is a beginner guitar: perfect for learning; if they are already taking serious lessons, the Elsa has a fuller sound.
Guide price: from €60.
Admira Alba 3/4 pack
Who it is for: As a gift: it comes with everything they need to start.
Why we like it: It includes the guitar, a gig bag and a clip-on tuner. The Alba is Admira’s benchmark beginner guitar: pine top, sapele back and sides and a 590 mm scale.
Good to know: As a guitar it costs more than the Rocío, but you do not need to buy a bag or tuner separately.
Guide price: from €122.
Admira Elsa 3/4
Who it is for: For the child who is already taking lessons and wants a step up.
Why we like it: Cadet size, with a pine top, sapele back and sides and a gloss finish: the same woods as the Alba, in another series.
Good to know: The product page does not give its length or scale. It is sold on its own, without a bag.
Guide price: from €108.
Squier Mini Stratocaster
Who it is for: For the one who wants to play rock. Squier presents it as the first guitar for kids.
Why we like it: An electric in 3/4 size, with a 22.75" scale (about 58 cm), light body, three single-coil pickups and a fixed bridge, which keeps it in tune better.
Good to know: It needs an amplifier and a cable, which are not included.
Guide price: from €162.
AND IF THEY ARE OLDER AND WANT AN ACOUSTIC?
Martin LX1 “Little Martin”
Who it is for: For older children or teenagers who want steel strings, and as a travel guitar for life.
Why we like it: Solid spruce top, HPL back and sides (very resistant to knocks and humidity changes), 23" scale and 42.9 mm nut. Gig bag included.
Good to know: Steel strings are harder at first. It is a bigger investment than a cadet guitar.
Guide price: from €573.
Martin DJR-10
Who it is for: For the teenager who already plays and wants a “big” acoustic sound in a comfortable body.
Why we like it: Dreadnought Junior with a spruce top, sapele back and sides, 24" scale and a shallower body. Gig bag included.
Good to know: The nut is 44.5 mm, wider than the LX1’s: better for hands that are no longer so small.
Guide price: from €655.
There are more models in our mini acoustic guitars and short-scale guitars sections.
Read moreShow lessTHE 8 GUITARS COMPARED
| Guitar | Type | Size | Rough age | Length or scale | Strings | Includes | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admira Rocío C6 | Classical | 1/4 | 3-5 | 75 cm long | Nylon | — | from €56 |
| Admira Rocío C7 | Classical | 1/2 | 5-8 | 85 cm long | Nylon | — | from €58 |
| Admira Rocío C16 | Classical | 3/4 | 8-12 | 90 cm long | Nylon | — | from €60 |
| Admira Alba pack | Classical | 3/4 | 8-12 | 590 mm scale | Nylon | Bag and tuner | from €122 |
| Admira Elsa | Classical | 3/4 | 8-12 | — | Nylon | — | from €108 |
| Squier Mini | Electric | 3/4 | 8+ | 22.75" scale | Steel | — | from €162 |
| Martin LX1 | Mini acoustic | mini | 10+ | 23" scale | Steel | Gig bag | from €573 |
| Martin DJR-10 | Mini acoustic | Junior | teenagers | 24" scale | Steel | Gig bag | from €655 |
Guide prices: they may change. The current price is always on each guitar’s product page.
WHAT ELSE DO THEY NEED TO GET STARTED?
A bag
To take it to lessons without knocks. For cadet guitars, the Armour ARM1500C; for a 1/2, the Ortolá 1/2 classical bag. The Alba pack and the Martins already come with one.
A tuner
An out-of-tune guitar sounds bad however well it is played, and that is discouraging. A clip-on tuner such as the Admira AT01A goes on the headstock and takes seconds to use.
A music stand
For sheet music or their lesson book, and so they do not play hunched over looking at the floor. The Admira MUS006 folds up and comes with a bag.
What about a ukulele for the youngest?
If they are 3 or 4 and a guitar is still too big, a ukulele is a great way to start. Have a look at our ukulele buying guide.
Read moreShow lessFREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
At what age can a child start playing the guitar?
At around 5 or 6, when they have some strength in their fingers and the patience to practise for a while. Before that they can play around with a 1/4 or a ukulele.
Which guitar should I buy for a 6-year-old?
A 1/2 size classical, such as the Admira Rocío C7, if they are between 1.10 and 1.30 m tall. If they are small for their age, a 1/4.
For a 10-year-old, a 3/4 or a full-size guitar?
A 3/4. Full-size guitars (4/4) are for people around 1.60 m or taller; before that they would have to stretch their hand too much.
Spanish or acoustic guitar for a child?
A Spanish or classical guitar to start with: nylon strings do not hurt their fingers. An acoustic, with steel strings, when they are older and their style calls for it.
Will a toy guitar do?
For playing around, yes; for learning, no. They do not stay in tune and they put children off. A real 1/4 or 1/2 classical starts at €56.
How much should I spend on a child’s first guitar?
Between €56 and €125 you get branded beginner classicals such as the Admira Rocío or the Alba pack. There is no need to spend more until you see whether they get hooked.
Still have questions?
If you are not sure which size they need or which guitar to give, tell us their age and height and we will help through any of these channels:
- Phone
- +34 954 902 550
- info@matguitars.com
- +34 647 639 532
- Contact
- Contact form
Meet the expert behind this article
Gonzalo Cosín
Guitars, sound and studio gear specialistA sound engineer and guitarist, he combines musical judgement with a practical view of gear. He'll help you with questions about guitars, sound and setups for playing, recording or amplifying yourself properly.
