Viola Size Chart: Full Measurements by Age, Height and Arm Length

Most adults play a 15.5" or 16" viola. Children between roughly 6 and 14 play 12" to 15" instruments, sized by arm length rather than age. There is no "4/4 viola" — violas are measured by body length in inches, and the right size is simply the largest instrument you can hold without strain. The full size chart, the measurements behind every size, and our free viola size calculator are below.

Viola Size Chart

This chart reflects the same sizing every luthier and music school works from. Use it as a starting point — then confirm in person.

• 12" / 30 cm — ages 6–8 · height 120–130 cm · arm 50 cm+
• 13" / 33 cm — ages 8–10 · height 130–140 cm · arm 55 cm+
• 14" / 35.5 cm — ages 10–12 · height 140–150 cm · arm 58 cm+
• 15" / 38 cm — ages 12–14 · height 150–160 cm · arm 61 cm+
• 15.5" / 39.5 cm — teen and adult · height 160–170 cm · arm 64 cm+
• 16" / 40.5 cm — adult, full size · height 170 cm+ · arm 67 cm+
• 16.5" / 42 cm — large adult hands · arm 70 cm+

Most adult players settle on a 15.5" or 16" instrument. 16.5" violas are physically demanding and rarely the best choice unless the player has a long arm, a wide left-hand stretch, and specifically wants the deeper, darker tone of a larger body.

“Skip the measuring tape — our free viola size calculator gives a recommendation from age, height and arm length in under a minute.”

Viola Measurements: Beyond Body Length

Body length is the headline measurement, but it is not the whole picture of viola dimensions. When comparing instruments, luthiers also look at:

• Total length — body plus neck and scroll, typically 23"–27" (58–69 cm) depending on size.
• Upper bout width — about 170–200 mm on adult instruments; affects bow clearance on the C string.
• Lower bout width — roughly 210–250 mm; a major driver of tonal depth and volume.
• Rib height — usually 35–42 mm; deeper ribs give a darker, more cello-like sound.
• String length (mensur) — around 370–380 mm on a 16" viola; longer strings mean wider finger spacing.
• Weight — typically 500–650 g, noticeably heavier than a violin's 400–480 g.

Two violas with identical 16" bodies can feel completely different because of these secondary dimensions. A wide, deep-ribbed instrument will be louder and darker but harder to manoeuvre; a narrow, slim-ribbed one plays more like an oversized violin. This is why viola sizing is best confirmed with the instrument in your hands, not from a chart alone.

Viola Size by Age: The Quick Answer

If you only need a starting point before measuring: ages 6–8 start on a 12" viola, ages 8–10 on a 13", ages 10–12 on a 14", ages 12–14 on a 15", and most teens and adults settle on a 15.5" or 16". Age is only a rough guide — two ten-year-olds can need different sizes — so always confirm with the arm-length measurement below before buying.

For adults starting the viola later in life, skip the chart entirely and measure your arm: under 64 cm usually means 15" or 15.5", 64–67 cm means 16", and over 67 cm opens up 16.5". Adults switching from violin often do best one size under the maximum they can physically hold, since the viola's extra weight is the main adjustment.

Why Violas Are Sized Differently From Violins

A violin is sized in clean fractions — 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, 4/4 — and a 4/4 violin is always the same length. Violas are not. A "full-size" viola can be anywhere from 15 to 16.5 inches in body length, and players of the same height often choose different sizes depending on hand span, arm reach, and the tone they want.

There is no "4/4 viola." The viola family is measured by body length in inches (or centimetres), measured from the top edge of the body down to the bottom edge — not including the neck or scroll. The right size is the largest viola the player can hold and play comfortably without strain.

How to Measure Arm Length for a Viola, Step by Step

Arm length is the deciding measurement

Have the player stand straight and extend their left arm out to the side, palm up. Measure from the base of the neck (where it meets the shoulder) to the middle of the palm. This is the value the calculator and chart use.

• Stand the player upright, left arm fully extended sideways at shoulder height, palm facing up.
• Place the end of the tape at the base of the neck, where the neck meets the shoulder.
• Run the tape along the outside of the arm, over the elbow, to the middle of the palm.
• Record the measurement in centimetres — that is the arm length the chart and calculator use.
• Repeat twice; if the numbers differ, use the longer measurement.

Arm length matters more than height because the viola is held against the shoulder and the left hand must reach the scroll comfortably. A player with a long arm and average height can manage a larger viola than the height alone would suggest.

Viola Sizing for Children vs Adults

Children are sized strictly by arm length, and it is completely normal for a child to move through three or four viola sizes — 12", 13", 14", then 15" — before settling on a full-size instrument. Never let a child play up a size to 'grow into it': the viola's extra weight compared with a violin makes an oversized instrument a genuine injury risk.

Adults have a choice. A player of average build will usually take a 15.5" or 16". Only adults with long arms (67 cm+), a wide finger span, and a specific desire for a darker, more powerful C string should consider 16.5". When two sizes both pass the scroll test, most teachers recommend the smaller one — comfort over decades of playing beats a marginal tonal difference.

The scroll test

With the viola in playing position, the player should be able to curl their left hand around the scroll without locking the elbow or rolling the shoulder forward. If the elbow straightens or the shoulder rises, the viola is too large.

Don't Size Up to "Grow Into" the Instrument

Violas are heavier than violins and put more strain on the left hand and shoulder. A viola that is one size too large will slow a young player's progress, encourage poor posture, and can cause real injury over months and years of practice.

Always size down rather than up. A well set-up 14" viola outperforms a 15" viola the player cannot reach. Players grow into bigger instruments quickly enough on their own.

Adult Players Switching From the Violin

Adult violinists picking up the viola usually do best starting at 15" or 15.5". The instrument feels heavier and the spacing between notes is wider — going straight to a 16" can be discouraging for the first few months. A slightly smaller viola makes the transition easier and still gives a rich viola tone.

When to Move Up a Size

For children, plan to re-evaluate every twelve months. Signs the viola has become too small include the left elbow tucking sharply into the body, the bow running out of room near the bridge, and the tone feeling thin or pinched on the C string. A luthier or teacher can confirm whether it is time to size up.

Viola Sizing FAQ

What size viola do most adults need?

Most adults play a 15.5" or 16" viola. Players under about 160 cm tall, or with shorter arms, often do best on 15". Only players with long arms and a wide hand span should consider 16.5".

Is a 15.5" or 16" viola considered full size?

Both. Unlike violins, violas have no single "full size" — anything from 15" to 16.5" is a standard adult instrument, and professional players use the whole range depending on build and tonal preference.

Can I use a violin size chart for a viola?

No. Violin fractional sizes (1/4, 1/2, 3/4, 4/4) don't map onto violas. A "3/4 viola" is not a standard measurement — always size a viola by body length in inches or centimetres.

What happens if my viola is too big?

A viola that is too large forces a locked elbow, raised shoulder and collapsed left wrist. Over months of practice this causes fatigue, slow technique and a real risk of repetitive strain injury. Size down rather than up.

How do I measure my child for a viola at home?

Have them stand straight, extend the left arm to the side with the palm up, and measure from the base of the neck to the middle of the palm. Match that arm length to the chart above — then let a luthier or teacher confirm with the instrument in playing position.

Use the Calculator

The free size calculator below is the fastest next step: enter age, height and arm length and it returns a recommended viola size built from the same chart above. It also covers violin and cello. For a final decision, try the viola in person with a teacher or luthier — the right viola is the one the player can hold comfortably for a full lesson without strain.