🌺 Ukulele Sizes Explained: Which One Should You Get? (A Fun Guide for All Ages & Skill Levels)
Choosing a ukulele sounds simple… until you realize there are more sizes than coffee drinks at Starbucks. Do you want small? Medium? Large? Extra large-but-still-cute? And what on earth is a baritone uke — a ukulele going through a rebellious guitar phase?
Don’t worry. By the time you finish this guide, you’ll know exactly which size fits you, your kid, your cousin, your neighbor’s kid, or anyone else who has suddenly declared, “I want to learn the ukulele!”
Let’s take a friendly little tour through the four main sizes and find the uke that matches your hands, your vibe, and your musical dreams.
🎵 1. Soprano Ukulele — The Little One With the Big Personality
Think of the soprano ukulele as the “classic island sound” starter pack. It’s tiny, adorable, and bright enough to make even a gloomy afternoon feel like a trip to Waikiki.
Length: Around 21 inches
Tone: Cheerful, sparkly, and unmistakably Hawaiian
This size is perfect for kids — especially those whose hands are still too tiny to open a pickle jar, let alone reach across a tenor fretboard. It’s lightweight, budget-friendly, and easy to hold.
🎯 Best for:
Kids ages 4–8
True beginners
People with petite hands
Anyone who loves that vintage uke jangle
⭐ Why it’s great:
Easiest for small hands
Incredibly portable
Makes everything sound happy, even taxes
⚠ Tiny warning:
Adults with larger hands may feel like they’re trying to play music on a graham cracker.
🎶 2. Concert Ukulele — The “Just Right” Goldilocks Option
If the soprano is a cute little sparkler, the concert ukulele is its slightly more grown-up sibling. It still has that classic uke charm but offers more space for your fingers to roam around without bumping into each other.
Length: Around 23 inches
Tone: Warmer, fuller, a little louder
Concert ukes are wildly popular because they feel comfortable for almost everyone — kids, teens, adults, you name it.
🎯 Best for:
Ages 8–12
Teens & adults
People just starting lessons
Players wanting comfort without sacrificing that uke brightness
⭐ Why it’s great:
Still has that beloved ukulele sparkle
Easier on hands than a soprano
Great balance of tone and playability
⚠ Heads up:
If you dream of playing like Jake Shimabukuro someday, you may eventually crave a tenor.
🎸 3. Tenor Ukulele — The Fancy, Grown-Up Sound
Tenor ukuleles are the “Oh wow, that sounds professional” size. With more room on the fretboard and a deeper voice, the tenor is ideal for players who want to fingerpick, solo, or play with more expressive nuance.
Length: Around 26 inches
Tone: Rich, warm, resonant — the closest you’ll get to “serious musician” energy without switching to guitar
🎯 Best for:
Teens & adults
Intermediate & advanced students
Players taking lessons
Folks with bigger hands
Fingerstyle & chord-melody enthusiasts
⭐ Why it’s great:
Fuller, deeper tone
Most comfortable for adult hands
Excellent for performing
⚠ Note:
Small children usually do not enjoy wrestling with a tenor. Save it for later.
🎼 4. Baritone Ukulele — The “I Used to Play Guitar” Special
The baritone is the ukulele that wandered a little too close to a guitar and said, “Actually, this is nice.” It’s tuned differently — exactly like the top four strings of a guitar — which makes it feel familiar to guitarists but slightly rebellious to traditional uke lovers.
Length: Around 30 inches
Tone: Deep, mellow, warm, and surprisingly soothing
🎯 Best for:
Adults
Guitarists moving into ukulele
Singers wanting a rich accompaniment
Players who like a cozy, mellow sound
⭐ Why it’s great:
Easiest uke for guitarists
Perfect for fingerstyle
Deep, expressive tone
⚠ Little detail:
It doesn’t have the iconic ukulele “plink!” And that’s okay — not every uke needs to be sunshine in sonic form.
🌈 Ukulele Size Guide by Age
Here’s a simple cheat sheet:
Ages 4–8:
⭐ Soprano
Ages 8–12:
⭐ Concert
Ages 12–Adult:
⭐ Concert or Tenor (depending on hand size and interest)
Former guitarists:
⭐ Baritone
🎤 Ukulele Size Guide by Skill Level
Total Beginners:
⭐ Soprano or Concert
Beginner–Intermediate:
⭐ Concert (most versatile)
Advancing Players:
⭐ Tenor (pro tone & comfort)
Performers:
⭐ Tenor
Guitar converts:
⭐ Baritone
🎓 Want Help Choosing the Perfect Ukulele?
At Maui Guitar and Ukulele Lessons, we help players of all ages find an instrument they truly connect with — and teach them how to make it sing.
Whether you’re a tiny human with tiny hands or a grown-up ready to unlock your inner musician, we’ve got your back.