Soprano vs Concert Ukulele: What's the Difference?
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A soprano ukulele is 21 inches long and a concert ukulele is 23 inches long. The concert size gives you more room between the frets, while the soprano stays smaller and easier to carry. Soprano and concert ukuleles share the same tuning, G, C, E and A, and the same 4 nylon strings, so the difference is size, not tuning.
Start with the size
Ukulele sizes are named by length. A soprano measures 21 inches, a concert measures 23 inches, and a tenor measures 26 inches. The products shown here are concert ukuleles at 23 inches. Size sets the length of the neck and the body, so it shapes how the instrument sits in your hands.
Check the room between the frets
A longer neck spreads the frets further apart. The concert size gives you more room between the frets than a soprano, which helps when your fingers need space on the fretboard. The Donner lists 18 brass frets with position marks at the 5th, 7th, 9th and 12th frets, so you can find your place on the neck.
Compare the body and the wood
The concert body is larger than the soprano body. The Donner has a mahogany body, the Ranch and the AODSK have sapele tops, and the Kadence has laminated sapele wood. Body wood and body size are the parts to compare when you choose a size.
Check what comes in the kit
The products shown here are kits, so check the parts list before you buy. The Donner, Ranch and AODSK kits each include a gig bag, a strap, a tuner, extra strings and picks. The Kadence includes a bag and a strap. A tuner in the kit lets you tune the ukulele as soon as it arrives.
Choose the size that fits you
Hold each size and check the reach between the frets and the feel of the neck in your hand. A concert ukulele suits players who want more room on the fretboard, while a soprano suits players who want a smaller body. The size that feels right in your hands is the size to buy.
What you need
Donner Concert Ukulele Beginner Kit 23 inch
A 23 inch concert ukulele with a mahogany body, Aquila nylon strings, 18 brass frets and a kit with a gig bag, strap and tuner.
- Case or gig bag included
- Tuner included
- Size: concert
- Top wood: Quality High Pressure Laminte
- 2-year warranty stated
Ranch 23" Concert Ukulele Beginner Kit
A 23 inch concert ukulele with a sapele body, an arched back, Aquila strings and a kit with a gig bag, strap and digital tuner.
- Case or gig bag included
- Tuner included
- Size: concert
- Top wood: Sapele
AODSK Concert Ukulele for Beginner 23 Inch
A 23 inch concert ukulele with a sapele top, nylon strings and a kit with a gig bag, strap, tuner and extra strings.
- Case or gig bag included
- Tuner included
- Size: concert
- Top wood: Sapele
- Three-month warranty stated
Kadence UKTWC Concert 23" Acoustic Ukulele
A 23 inch concert ukulele with laminated sapele wood, nylon strings, die-cast chrome tuners and a bag and strap.
- Case or gig bag included
- Size: concert
- Top wood: Laminated Sapele Wood
- 1 year warranty stated
These come from our ranked list Best Ukulele, which compares them spec by spec.
Frequently asked questions
Does a concert ukulele have more room than a soprano?
Yes. A concert ukulele is 23 inches long and a soprano is 21 inches long, so the frets sit further apart on the concert size. The Kadence lists better spacing between frets on its 23 inch concert size compared with smaller ukuleles.
Do soprano and concert ukuleles use the same strings?
Yes. The products shown here list 4 nylon strings, and soprano and concert ukuleles share the same tuning. The Donner, Ranch and AODSK kits include extra strings, so you have spares when a string wears out.
Can I use a soprano case for a concert ukulele?
No. A concert ukulele is 23 inches long and a soprano case is sized for a 21 inch instrument, so the concert size will not fit. The Donner, Ranch and AODSK kits include a gig bag sized for the concert ukulele, and the Kadence includes a bag.
What wood are these ukuleles made from?
The Donner has a mahogany body, the Ranch has a sapele body with a mahogany neck, and the AODSK has a sapele top. The Kadence uses laminated sapele wood for the top, back and sides. They list nylon strings.
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Product details come from each Amazon listing and can change. Check the listing before you buy.