What is the smallest of the string family?

Super-miniature instruments have been made in laboratories on the nano scale, so small that the human ear cannot hear the sound produced. But that really doesn't matter, as the human hand could never play it and the human eye cannot even see it.

A large number of miniature instruments have been created, which are fully playable and are scale models for dolls and exhibitions.

In an orchestra, it would be the violin. For younger students, they are made as small as 1/16 size at 16 inches long. In an orchestra they play either the 4/4 size, which is 23 1/2 inches long, or the 7/8 size, which is an inch shorter.

The smallest commercially available instrument designed to be played by an adult is the Sopranino Ukulele. It is about 19 inches long and has a very small body.