Types of Ukulele
Soprano, concert, tenor, baritone — four sizes, four flavors of tone. Tap each one below to hear how its open strings actually sound before you decide what to play.
The four common sizes
"Ukulele" isn't a single instrument — it's a family of four sizes that share the same basic shape but differ in body size, scale length, and (in one case) tuning. From smallest to largest:
- Soprano. The smallest and the original, classic ukulele size. It has a bright, chime-like tone with a quick, clipped decay — the sound most people picture when they think "ukulele."
- Concert. A bit larger than soprano, with a longer neck and more space between frets. The extra body size gives a fuller, rounder tone while keeping the same cheerful character.
- Tenor. Larger still. Tenor ukuleles are popular with gigging players and fingerstyle players because the bigger body adds warmth, volume, and sustain.
- Baritone. The largest ukulele, and the odd one out — it's tuned like the top four strings of a guitar, which gives it a noticeably deeper, mellower sound than the other three.
Same tuning, different body — except one
Soprano, concert, and tenor ukuleles all use the same standard reentrant G-C-E-A tuning (more on what "reentrant" means in the next lesson). Their differences are all about body size and tone, not tuning. Baritone is the exception: it's tuned D-G-B-E, identical to the top four strings of a guitar, which is why it sounds noticeably deeper and less "chimey."
Common questions
What size ukulele should a beginner buy?
Concert or tenor are great beginner choices — they keep the classic bright ukulele tuning but have a bit more room between frets than a soprano, which makes chord shapes easier for adult hands.
Are all ukuleles tuned the same way?
Soprano, concert, and tenor ukuleles all use standard reentrant G-C-E-A tuning. Baritone ukuleles are the exception — they're tuned D-G-B-E, the same as the top four strings of a guitar.
What is the difference between a soprano and concert ukulele?
A soprano is the smallest and classic ukulele size, with a bright, chimey tone. A concert ukulele has a slightly larger body and longer neck, giving a fuller, rounder tone and more room for your fretting fingers.
Does ukulele size affect the sound?
Yes. Smaller bodies like the soprano produce a brighter, more clipped tone, while larger bodies like the tenor and baritone produce a deeper, fuller, more resonant sound.
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