Ukulele Sizes

Ukuleles Sizes

When you mention ukuleles, most people think of the small standard soprano size. That's understandable since the Tin Pan Alley scene popularized the size during the first ukulele wave during the 1920s and 1930s. Soon though, the larger sizes came on the scene when Arthur Godfrey, an American TV personality, preferred the larger size of a baritone. 

Surprisingly, ukuleles come in a variety of sizes, each with its own unique characteristics and sound. The four main ukulele sizes are soprano, concert, tenor, and baritone.

Soprano ukuleles are the smallest and most traditional size. They have a compact body and short scale length, which gives them a bright, punchy sound. Soprano ukuleles are also the lightest and easiest to carry, making them a popular choice for beginners and players on the go.

Concert ukuleles are slightly larger than sopranos, with a longer scale length and a wider body, giving them a warmer and louder sound than sopranos. Concerts are also a good choice for players with larger hands, as they have more space on the fretboard.

Tenor ukuleles are even larger than concerts, with a longer scale length and a wider body. This gives them a full, rich sound with plenty of projection. Tenors are popular with professional players and those looking for a more traditional Hawaiian sound.

Baritone ukuleles are the largest size, with a scale length similar to that of a classical guitar. They have a deep, mellow sound and are often used for strumming chords. Baritones are less common than the other sizes, but they can be a good choice for guitar players looking to try out a new instrument.

Overall, the size of a ukulele will affect its sound and playability, so it's essential to choose the size that best fits your needs and preferences.

UKE Republic carries a wide variety of all these sizes of ukulele. We are happy to assist in finding the right fit and sound for you. You can find our YouTube channel, where we have demo videos of most sizes and models. If you are in the Metro Atlanta area, stop by our showroom and try the different sizes and shapes. Or give us a call and speak with our expert staff to answer any questions you may have. 

Of course, there's the matter of tonewoods, but that's a whole other rabbit hole. 

​*Tip - to achieve a deeper bass tone to soprano, concert, tenor size ukulele just replace the high g string with a low G string. 

 **The sizes listed below are based upon averages. 

Short Scale Ukuleles L to R: Sopranissimo, Sopranino, Soprano

Sopranissimo Ukulele Demo

Sopranino Ukulele Demo

Soprano Ukulele Demo

Mid-Range to Largest Size Ukuleles L to R: Concert, Tenor, Baritone 

Concert Ukulele Demo

Tenor Ukulele Demo

Baritone Ukulele Demo

Hybrid Scale Ukuleles

Long Neck/Super Scale

These super ukes boast the sweet sounds of a smaller ukulele body with the easy playability of a longer-scale neck. UKE Republic carries a mix of these unique combinations for various sounds and playing experiences. 

Long Neck/Super Soprano - is either a concert or tenor scale set on a soprano-sized body.

Long Neck/Super Concert - is a tenor scale set on a concert-sized body. 

Super Tenor - will typically have a tenor scale neck on a baritone size body or a tenor body with a wider/larger lower bout.