What Is a 3/4 Size Guitar?
Updated Nov 11, 2026 · By 
Jonah Mercer · Editorial policy
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A 3/4 size guitar is a smaller guitar built to the 3/4 size standard, with a shorter scale length and a smaller body than a full-size 4/4 guitar. It keeps standard tuning E A D G B E, so it plays the same notes as a full-size guitar. The smaller body and shorter scale put the frets closer together.
What the 3/4 size means
The 3/4 size is a size standard, not a single measurement. A 3/4 guitar has a smaller body and a shorter scale length than a 4/4 guitar, while a 1/2 guitar is smaller still and a 1/4 guitar smaller again. The size names describe the whole instrument, body and neck together, so a 3/4 guitar is a complete guitar in a smaller size, not a cut-down version of a full-size body.
How a 3/4 guitar differs from a 4/4
The difference is size, not tuning or string count. A 3/4 guitar uses standard tuning E A D G B E, and the strings sit at the same pitches as on a 4/4 guitar. The shorter scale puts the frets closer together, so the stretch between frets is shorter, and the smaller body sits closer to the player. Everything else about the instrument works the same way: the same tuning, the same fret layout, and the same way of holding it.
How to measure for the right size
Size is checked against the player, not against a chart alone. Hold the guitar in playing position and check that the arm reaches the strings without stretching, that the fretting hand reaches the frets near the nut without strain, and that the body rests against the player without the shoulder lifting. If the reach feels long at every fret, a smaller size fits better; if the body feels cramped and the arm folds tight, a larger size fits better.
What to check before buying a 3/4 guitar
Check the size name on the listing, and check that the guitar is a 3/4 size, since other size names mean different sizes. Check whether a gig bag or case is included, and check the warranty term before you buy. Check the body shape and the top wood, since those set the size of the body and the material of the top.
Caring for a smaller guitar
Wipe the guitar down with a soft dry cloth after playing, and keep it out of damp rooms and away from radiators and hot cars. Change the strings when they look discolored or rough, or when they no longer hold tune. If the action feels high or the frets buzz, ask a repair shop to look at it rather than adjusting the guitar yourself.
What you need
Washburn Comfort G-Mini 55 Koa Travel
A 7/8-size travel guitar with a 23-1/4 inch scale length, an ebony fretboard, gold die-cast tuning machines, and a gig bag included.
- Solid top
- Case or gig bag included
- Body shape: Travel
- Top wood: Koa
- Lifetime warranty stated
Guild Traveler Mini Dreadnought Mahogany w/Gigbag
A mini dreadnought with a mahogany top, back and sides, a rosewood fingerboard and bridge, and a deluxe gig bag included.
- Case or gig bag included
- Body shape: Dreadnought
- Top wood: Mahogany Wood
- Lifetime warranty stated
Enya NEXG 2 Deluxe Carbon Fiber Smart
A carbon fiber acoustic-electric guitar with a 50W wireless speaker, 20 presets, an onboard looper and drum machine, and a deluxe accessory bundle.
- Built-in pickup / EQ
- Case or gig bag included
- Top wood: Carbon Fiber
- 2-year warranty stated
These come from our ranked list Best Travel Acoustic Guitar, which compares them spec by spec.
Frequently asked questions
Is a 3/4 guitar a full-size guitar?
No. A 3/4 guitar is a smaller size than a 4/4 guitar, with a smaller body and a shorter scale length. It still uses standard tuning E A D G B E, so it plays the same notes as a full-size guitar.
Can an adult play a 3/4 size guitar?
Yes. The 3/4 size suits any player whose reach fits the smaller body and shorter scale, and the size is checked against the player rather than against age. Hold the guitar in playing position and check the reach to the strings and frets before you buy.
Does a 3/4 guitar use different strings?
No. A 3/4 guitar uses standard tuning E A D G B E, and the strings sit at the same pitches as on a 4/4 guitar. The shorter scale means the strings run over a shorter length, so check the string length the guitar needs when you buy a new set.
What is the difference between a 3/4 and a travel guitar?
A 3/4 guitar is a size standard, while a travel guitar is a shape built for carrying. A travel guitar can come in different sizes, and the Washburn Comfort G-Mini 55 Koa is a 7/8-size travel guitar with a gig bag included.
Ranked acoustic guitars lists
More how-to guides
Product details come from each Amazon listing and can change. Check the listing before you buy.