Irish bouzouki fret calculator
According to Wikipedia, most Irish bouzoukis have scales between 24″ and 25″, with some long-scale instruments at 26″ to 27″. The calculator opens at 25″ (635 mm): the 1st fret sits 1.403″ (35.64 mm) from the nut, the 5th 6.271″ (159.29 mm), the 7th 8.315″ (211.19 mm) and the 12th exactly halfway, at 12.500″ (317.50 mm).
Irish bouzouki fret positions, 635 mm scale
Distance of each fret from the nut, from the previous fret and to the saddle on a 25″ Irish bouzouki.
| Fret | From nut (mm) | From previous (mm) | To saddle (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 35.64 | 35.64 | 599.36 |
| 2 | 69.28 | 33.64 | 565.72 |
| 3 | 101.03 | 31.75 | 533.97 |
| 4 | 131.00 | 29.97 | 504.00 |
| 5 | 159.29 | 28.29 | 475.71 |
| 6 | 185.99 | 26.70 | 449.01 |
| 7 | 211.19 | 25.20 | 423.81 |
| 8 | 234.98 | 23.79 | 400.02 |
| 9 | 257.43 | 22.45 | 377.57 |
| 10 | 278.62 | 21.19 | 356.38 |
| 11 | 298.62 | 20.00 | 336.38 |
| 12 | 317.50 | 18.88 | 317.50 |
| 13 | 335.32 | 17.82 | 299.68 |
| 14 | 352.14 | 16.82 | 282.86 |
| 15 | 368.02 | 15.88 | 266.98 |
| 16 | 383.00 | 14.98 | 252.00 |
| 17 | 397.14 | 14.14 | 237.86 |
| 18 | 410.49 | 13.35 | 224.51 |
How to use it
- Tap Irish bouzouki 25″ or type your own scale. To measure it, double the distance from the nut to the 12th fret.
- The fret count starts at 18; change it to the number on your fretboard and the table and summary update as you type.
- Keep the Steel-string acoustic compensation to see where the floating bridge saddle should start.
- Print at 100%, measure the 100 mm check bar and tape the sheets on the splice line.
Help and explanations
No standard fret count is published and builders vary, so the calculator starts with 18 frets as a placeholder: change it to match your fretboard, then print the full-size template on Letter or A4. Everything runs in your browser, free, with no sign-up.
Irish bouzouki scale lengths
The Irish bouzouki grew out of the Greek bouzouki in the late 1960s, but it settled on a flat or slightly arched back and four double courses. Builders work anywhere from 24″ to 27″, and the choice changes the feel: at 24″ the 12th fret sits at 12.000″ (304.80 mm), at 26″ at 13.000″ (330.20 mm), and the longer scale needs bigger stretches for GDAD chord shapes.
Since fret positions depend only on the scale length, measure your own instrument rather than assuming 25″. The neck joint varies too, so count the frets on the fretboard instead of guessing.
The floating bridge sets the scale
Most Irish bouzoukis have a mandolin-style floating bridge held in place only by string pressure. That means the scale is wherever the bridge stands: put the saddle at the nominal scale plus the compensation and the 12th-fret octave will be close; move it back a little if the fretted octave is sharp, forward if it is flat.
The calculator suggests 2 to 4.5 mm past the scale as a starting range for steel strings, labeled as an estimate. Finish by checking each course with the intonation checker.
Tips
- Before a string change, mark the bridge position with low-tack tape: the step-by-step is in how to restring an Irish bouzouki.
- Mark every fret slot from the nut, never fret to fret, so ruler errors don't pile up.
- Tune GDAD or GDAE with the Irish bouzouki tuner before you check intonation.
Frequently asked questions
What is the scale length of an Irish bouzouki?
Usually 24″ to 25″ (610 to 635 mm), according to Wikipedia, with some instruments at 26″ to 27″. Measure yours from the nut to the 12th fret and double it.
Where is the 12th fret on a 25″ bouzouki?
At 12.500″ (317.50 mm) from the nut. The 1st fret is at 1.403″ (35.64 mm), the 5th at 6.271″ (159.29 mm), the 7th at 8.315″ (211.19 mm) and the 14th at 13.864″ (352.14 mm).
How do I find where the bridge goes on an Irish bouzouki?
Place the saddle at the scale length from the nut plus 2 to 4.5 mm of compensation, then fine-tune it: if the 12th-fret note is sharp, move the bridge toward the tailpiece; if it is flat, toward the neck.
Is an Irish bouzouki scale the same as a Greek bouzouki's?
Not necessarily. The two instruments have different builds and tunings, and Greek bouzoukis follow their own scale lengths. Use the length you measure on your instrument.
Can I use this for an octave mandolin or a cittern?
Yes, the fret formula is the same for any fretted instrument in equal temperament. Type in that instrument's scale length and fret count.