🎵 Ukulele Scale Length Calculator
Calculate fret positions, nut-to-saddle distance, and string spacing for any ukulele size
✅ Scale Length Results
342.9 mm
381 mm
431.8 mm
482.6 mm
| Type | Scale Length | Total Length | Frets | Standard Tuning | Nut Width |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soprano | 13–13.7 in (330–348 mm) | ~21 in (533 mm) | 12–15 | GCEA | 1.35 in (34 mm) |
| Concert | 14.75–15.5 in (375–394 mm) | ~23 in (584 mm) | 15–20 | GCEA | 1.375 in (35 mm) |
| Tenor | 16.5–17.5 in (419–444 mm) | ~26 in (660 mm) | 17–20 | GCEA | 1.5 in (38 mm) |
| Baritone | 18.9–19 in (480–483 mm) | ~30 in (762 mm) | 18–21 | DGBE | 1.5 in (38 mm) |
| Bass Ukulele | 20–21 in (508–533 mm) | ~32 in (813 mm) | 16–18 | EADG | 1.6 in (41 mm) |
| Guitalele | 17 in (432 mm) | ~28 in (711 mm) | 18–19 | EADGBE | 1.7 in (43 mm) |
| Scale Length | Nut to Fret 1 | Nut to Fret 5 | Nut to Fret 12 | Nut to Fret 15 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13.5 in (Soprano) | 0.758 in / 19.2 mm | 3.438 in / 87.3 mm | 6.75 in / 171.5 mm | 8.43 in / 214.1 mm |
| 15 in (Concert) | 0.842 in / 21.4 mm | 3.82 in / 97.0 mm | 7.5 in / 190.5 mm | 9.37 in / 237.9 mm |
| 17 in (Tenor) | 0.955 in / 24.3 mm | 4.33 in / 109.9 mm | 8.5 in / 215.9 mm | 10.62 in / 269.6 mm |
| 19 in (Baritone) | 1.067 in / 27.1 mm | 4.84 in / 122.9 mm | 9.5 in / 241.3 mm | 11.87 in / 301.5 mm |
| Nut Width | 4-String Spacing | Edge Margin | Saddle Spacing |
|---|---|---|---|
| 34 mm (1.34 in) | 7.5 mm (0.295 in) | 4.0 mm (0.157 in) | 9.5 mm (0.374 in) |
| 35 mm (1.375 in) | 8.0 mm (0.315 in) | 4.0 mm (0.157 in) | 10.0 mm (0.394 in) |
| 38 mm (1.5 in) | 9.0 mm (0.354 in) | 4.5 mm (0.177 in) | 11.0 mm (0.433 in) |
| 43 mm (1.69 in) | 10.5 mm (0.413 in) | 5.0 mm (0.197 in) | 12.5 mm (0.492 in) |
The Ukulele scale length, so, the distance from the nut to the saddle, reveals a lot about the use of the instrument how it feels under the fingers and what sound it gives. The nut is that usually white strip, that sits up by the strings, just under the headstock. Below, in the centre of the body, you find the saddle, that also usually is white.
Those two parts matter more than one could believe.
Ukulele Sizes and Scale Lengths
Ukuleles have four main sizes, sorted from the smallest to the biggest: soprano, concert, tenor and baritone. Brands do not always give exact details in the same way, and honestly, there is no universal standard that all agree on. Even so, every type still tends to cluster around its own general rnage.
The soprano ukulele is the original, the one that started everything and stays the most traditional choice. It has Ukulele scale length between 13 and 15 inches. This matches around 35 centimetres or a bit more.
The strings tune to G-C-E-A, and the whole sound brings classical feelings tied to tropical beaches and relaxation.
The concert ukulele raises things a bit higher, with Ukulele scale length between 15 and 16 inches. Its whole length reaches around 23 inches. This size works well as a middle way, it offers some of the soprano charm, but also gives your fingers more space to work on the fretboard.
The tenor ukulele sits between the concert and the baritone in terms of the options. They have Ukulele scale length between 43 and 45.5 centimetres, with whole length between 66 and 68.5 centimetres. Even so, the tenor really defines itself by its scale more then by the whole size; usually around 17 inches.
The bigger distance between the frets makes them comfortable for playing and really good, if fingerpicking is your style. Some tenors with long neck can reach even 19 inches for the Ukulele scale length.
The baritone ukulele comes with Ukulele scale length of 19 to 20 inches and whole length between 29 and 30 inches. Usually it has between 17 and 21 frets. Here it gets different.
Baritones do not use the usual ukulele tuning. Rather, you tune them to DGBE, which is the same as the four top strings of guitar. The scale is a full two inches longer than that of the tenor.
Newcomers sometimes find it hard because of the totally different tuning. The majority of store bought baritones sit between 19 and 21.5 inches for the Ukulele scale length.
How spread out are the frets on the fretboard? Everything deals with the Ukulele scale length. Concerts and tenors have longer scales than sopranos, which gives bigger distance between frets and better finger spacing, when you form chords.
When the instrument grows, the scale follows, and you usually have more frets overall… Which allows more range for playing.
The bass ukulele tunes like a bass guitar; E, A, D, G. It has Ukulele scale length around 52 centimetres and whole length between 76 and 81 centimetres. The width at the nut matters also, for how comfortable it feels. The Ukulele scale length does not say everything about how playable theinstrument is.
To find the Ukulele scale length of a ukulele yourself, measure from the nut to the centre of the 12th fret, then double that value. None of those sizes beats the others really. They simply are different versions of the same instrument.
