CELLO SIZING AND INFORMATION

Cello Sizing Guide – By Age

Cello Size Age

1/10 Cello 3 to 5 Years Old

1/8 Cello 5-6 Years Old

1/4 Cello 6-7 Years Old

1/2 Cello 8-10 Years Old

3/4 Cello 11-13 Years Old

4/4 Full Cello 14+ Years Old

Age is a simple and easy method of measuring for a cello. It is also fairly accurate and can be used on its own.

This table shows the different age groups and which cello they would need.

However, it is worth taking note of arm length and height below just to double check.

Cello Sizing Guide by Height

An adult or child can be measured for a cello size by using their height as a guide. This chart shows the approximate size cello for the height of the player.

Cello Size Height

1/10 Cello 3′ / 91 cm and under

1/8 Cello 3′ to 3’6″ / 91cm to 110cm

1/4 Cello 3’6″ to 4′ / 110cm to 123cm

1/2 Cello 4′ to 4’6″ / 123cm to 140cm

3/4 Cello 4’6″ to 5′ / 140cm to 152cm

4/4 Full Cello 5’+/ 152cm+

Measuring Arm Length for Cello

An adult or child can be measured for a cello size by using their arm length as a guide. This chart shows the approximate size cello for the arm length of the player.

Have the player extend their left arm completely straight (but not overextended) with no bend in the elbow or wrists.

Measurement 1 (neck to wrist) This indicates the most appropriate and comfortable size for the player.
Measurement 2 (neck to palm) This indicates the largest size the player could use.

Cello Size Arm Length

1/10 Cello 16″/ 41 cm and under

1/8 Cello 16″ to 18″/ 41cm to 46cm

1/4 Cello 18″ to 20″/ 46cm to 51cm

1/2 Cello 20″ to 22″/ 51cm to 56cm

3/4 Cello 22″ to 24″/ 56cm to 61cm

4/4 Full Cello 24″+ / 61cm+

Measuring Finger Span for Cello

An adult or child can be measured for a cello size by using their finger span as a guide. This chart shows the approximate size cello for the finger span of the player.

Cello Sizing Guide – Finger Span

Cello Size Finger Span

1/10 Cello 2.5″ to 3″

1/8 Cello 3″

1/4 Cello 3″ to 4″

1/2 Cello 4″ to 5″

3/4 Cello 5″ to 6″

4/4 Full Cello 6″+

How To Measure Finger Span

Exactly as the diagram, with splayed fingers in a comfortable position.

A greater or wider finger span just means it will be easier for the cello player to reach the finger positions for the notes. Generally, bigger hands means ease of playing!

Finger Span or Spread Measurement for Cello

Suzuki Cello Sizes

Cello Size Age

1/10 Cello 3 to 4 Years Old With the Suzuki method, cello sizing is

1/8 Cello 4-5 Years Old slightly different.

1/4 Cello 5-6 Years Old The smaller sizes are a size down,

1/2 Cello 6 – 8 Years Old until you get past 1/2 size then the

3/4 Cello 1-13 Years Old cello sizing falls in line with

4/4 Full Cello 14+ Years Old European/Chinese sizes.

Some Useful Cello Measurements

The table below outlines some Useful Cello Measurements. Some instruments may be .25” to .5” longer or shorter depending on the manufacture. Bows can also vary a little in length as well, but not much.

Cello Size Back Length Total Length Maximum Width Bow Length

1/10 Cello 17.75″ 29.5″ 9.75″ 17.5″

1/8 Cello 20″ 33.5″ 11.75″ 20.75″

1/4 Cello 23″ 38.5″ 13.5″ 23.75″

1/2 Cello 26″ 42″ 15″ 25.5″

3/4 Cello 27.25″ 45″ 16″ 27″

4/4 Full Cello 29” to 30″ 48″ 17.75″ 28″

Cello Sizes – The difference between countries and their sizing

With commercial instruments, the actual sizes of cellos and string lengths can be different depending on their country of manufacture, or simply the cello maker. This doesn’t really help when you are trying to measure a cello to determine its size!

There are also no written rules for the differences between the manufacturing countries, but (roughly) German cellos often are the proper size, Romanian & Hungarian often come up an inch or so small. Chinese cellos can be exact, or a little over/under. Korean cellos are similar to Chinese. Japanese instruments can be a bit small from sizes 3/4 down to 1/10.

This is only a guide, but may help if you are trying to determining what size cello you need. If you have a cello that doesn’t match the sizing given, then you work to the closest size you can, and it is rare to find any cellos exactly in between sizes!