A clear, practical guide for parents choosing their child’s first guitar.

The right guitar size depends on your child’s age, height, and arm length.

Most kids aged 10 and up can handle a full-size guitar, while younger children may be more comfortable with a ¾-size or ½-size instrument.

Here’s the breakdown we use in-store when sizing up new students.

⭐ Quick Size Chart (Canada, 2025)

Ages 4-6 → ½-size guitar

Very small hands
Shorter arms
Lower string tension
Best suited for early exposure/play, not long-term learning

Ages 6-10 → ¾-size guitar

Most common size for younger beginners
Easier chord reach
Lighter weight
Fits most lesson setups

Ages 10–12 → ¾ or Full-size

Depends on:

height
hand span
confidence
comfort with the instrument

Most 9–12-year-olds at our store end up choosing full-size electrics or slightly smaller acoustics.

Ages 12+ → Full-size guitar

By this age, most kids comfortably handle:

full-size electric guitars
full-size steel-string acoustics
full-size nylon-string guitars

This is the default starting point unless the child is significantly smaller than average.

⭐ Electric vs Acoustic: Size considerations

Electric guitars:

are smaller
easier to hold
have thinner necks
are easier to play

This means many kids can jump to a full-size electric earlier than they could a full-size acoustic.

Acoustic guitars:

have bigger bodies
require more hand strength
take more room to play comfortably

For smaller kids, a ¾ acoustic may make more sense.

⭐ Height Guide (the alternate method we use in-store)

Some parents prefer height-based sizing, which is just as valid:

Child Height	Recommended Size
Under 3’6”	½-size
3’6”–4’0”	¾-size
4’0”–4’8”	¾ or full-size
Over 4’8”	Full-size

⭐ What We See in the Store (Real-World Advice)

Most 6-year-olds do best with a ¾-size guitar.
Most 8-year-olds can already jump to full-size electric.
Most 10-year-olds are fully comfortable on any full-size guitar.

We also check:

hand stretch
wrist position
confidence holding the instrument
ability to fret the first few notes without strain

This prevents beginners from getting discouraged.

⭐ Should your child start with nylon or steel-string?

Nylon-string guitars (classical) are easier on small fingers
Steel-string acoustics are louder and more common in most styles of music. They are also available in more colours and models
Electric guitars are the easiest to press and play

If the child is nervous about finger pain, nylon or electric is often the better starting point.

⭐ Our Recommended Sizes for Beginners

½-Size (Age 3–5)

¾-Size (Age 5–8)

Beaver Creek ¾ acoustic
Denver DD34S
¾ classical options (various brands)

Full-Size (Age 8+)

⭐ Common Mistakes Parents Make

Buying a guitar that’s too big “they’ll grow into it”
Going too cheap, leading to high action and frustration
Not considering hand comfort
Choosing by colour instead of feel
Buying a guitar with a huge body for a smaller kid

⭐ How to Know If It’s the Right Size

Have your child try this simple test in-store:

Have them reach the first fret
Their elbow should have a gentle bend
Their wrist shouldn’t be locked or straining
They should be able to sit comfortably with the guitar body
They should be able to strum without lifting their shoulder

If all five boxes check, it’s the right size.

⭐ FAQ

Should kids start on a ¾-size guitar?

Most young beginners (ages 5–8) are more comfortable on ¾-size. It helps them fret notes cleanly and avoid wrist strain.

Can an 8-year-old use a full-size guitar?

Yes — many 8-year-olds fit full-size electrics easily. Full-size acoustics are a bigger jump but still possible for taller kids.

Is a full-size guitar better long-term?

Absolutely. Full-size guitars sound fuller and last longer. It’s just a matter of comfort and readiness.

Electric or acoustic for kids?

Electrics are easier to play physically, while acoustics are louder and more traditional. Both can work — comfort is the deciding factor.