Children typically use smaller instruments than adults. Violins are made in so-called "fractional" sizes: 3/4, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/10, and 1/16; even 1/32-sized instruments exist. A 7/8 violin is sometimes used by an adult violinist of shorter stature as their final instrument, but rarely as a transitional instrument.
These fractional sizes have nothing to do with the actual dimensions of an instrument; in other words, a 3/4-sized instrument is not three-quarters the length of a full size instrument. The body length (not including the neck) of a "full-size" or 4/4 violin is about 14 inches (35 cm), smaller in some 17th century models. A 3/4 violin is 13 inches (33 cm), and a 1/2 size is 12 inches (30 cm). By comparison, when dealing with the violin's closest family member, the viola, size is specified as body length in inches rather than fractional sizes. A "full-size" viola averages 16 inches (40 cm).
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