Guideline for selecting the size of a guitar

How to select guitar size?

Age is only a very general guideline, but it can be a reliable tool to help you determine the appropriate size guitar for your child.

The following chart is to help guide you in choosing an appropriately-sized guitar for your child. Remember that age groups are only approximate and will vary from child to child. Keep the following suggestions in mind as you make your decision:

If your child is small to average in height for her age, consider staying within her age group as listed on the chart.
If she is on the border of two groups, use her relative size to determine which age group to stay in. For example, if your nine-year-old is small for her age, choose from the 6-9 year group.
If your child is above average in height, consider moving to the next age group, particularly if your child is on the border. In this case, your tall nine-year-old would do well with a guitar from the 9-12 year group.
Highly motivated children may desire a larger guitar because they view it as being more mature and feel a strong identity with it. These children will most likely be able to overcome a slight size obstacle.

Youth Size Guitars

Age Group	Guitar Size
3 - 6 years old	Half Size Acoustic Guitar
6 - 9 years old	Three-Quarter Size Acoustic Guitar
9 - 12 years old	Standard Size Acoustic Guitar

Full Size Guitars

Guitar Models	12 years to Adult	13 years to Adult	14 years to Adult
Classical Guitar	YES	YES	YES
Grand Concert Acoustic Guitar	YES	YES	YES
Acoustic/Electric Concert Cutaway Guitar	YES	YES	YES
Electric Guitar	YES	YES	YES
Dreadnought (full-size) Acoustic Guitar		YES	YES
Bass Guitar		YES	YES
Classical Guitar		YES	YES
12 String Acoustic Guitar			YES

Below are diagrams of the two most common types of guitars: steel string acoustic and electric. Each type has numerous variations but they also have many things in common. Compare these diagrams with your guitar and you should be able to figure out the parts of your guitar.

ACOUSTIC GUITAR

ELECTRIC GUITAR