Have you received a ukulele as a gift, inherited one from a relative, found one that's been tucked away, or perhaps acquired one to give away?
Then the first step on your musical journey is to figure out which ukulele you actually have. Just like with, for example, saxophones, there are different sizes, and it's important to know which one you have to be able to buy the correct strings and other accessories.
This might not be super easy, but it's not difficult either. All you need is a tape measure!
How to measure your ukulele step-by-step:
You can measure in two ways: either the entire ukulele from top to bottom, or you measure the so-called scale length – meaning the distance from the nut (where the strings rest on the neck) to the saddle (where the strings attach to the body).
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Total ukulele length: Take your tape measure and measure from the top of the headstock (where the tuning pegs are) to the bottom of the body.
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Scale length (recommended): An even more accurate option is to measure the distance from the nut to the saddle.
Once you have measured, you can compare your length with the table below to see which size you have:
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The soprano is the most classic and has that bright, traditional "ukulele sound" that we all recognize.
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The concert ukulele is slightly larger, which provides more volume and a fuller tone, while still being just as easy to handle.
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The tenor ukulele is a further step up in size and has a warmer and deeper tone with better sustain. Perfect for more advanced players.
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The baritone ukulele is the largest in the family. It has a darker sound and is tuned just like the top four strings of a guitar, making it popular among guitarists.
Now you can confidently know which ukulele you have in your hand!
