Hi.
I have small hands. I just can’t seem to play the chords because of this.
Is there anything I can do to help with this?
Thanks
Welcome to the forum Katie
What guitar are you using. Guitars come in different sizes, neck profiles, fretboard width and scale length. All of these factors affect how easy or hard a guitars if to play.
Have you tried a 3/4 size guitar?
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Don’t give up, maybe it is a matter of trying a smaller scale guitar but definitely don’t come to the conclusion that you wont be able to play. Somehow kids manage to play so us grownups can do it too 
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Hi @K1tt3rkat, welcome to the community. You might get better answers if you’re a bit more specific about “can’t … play the chords”: where are you in your learning journey?, which chords are giving you difficulty?, is it more of a reach issue or a strength issue?, etc.
That said, there are plenty of players with small hands (e.g., Andy Summers of The Police described himself that way in one video I saw). And larger hands / longer fingers can be an advantage in terms of reach but can be an obstacle when you need your fingers close together.
Since this is a physical challenge, vice a musical one, analyzing what the obstacle(s) is would be the first step. More time and practice might help, both with strength and reach although the latter will generally be a slower process. If your hands are really small a smaller instrument might be an approach to consider. If you’re going the self-learning route, an in-person or online video session or two with a teacher who can see what’s happening and provide direct feedback and offer suggestions might be worthwhile.
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Hi all.
Thank-you for the advice.
I have a full size acoustic guitar currently.
I have played the violin since I was a child so I know it’s not finger strength.
I decided to just try guitar as it’s something I always wanted to learn.
I am teaching myself through online apps.
I am getting on ok. Playing the main tune of songs by reading the music.
I knew chords would be a challenge as it’s something I have never had to do on a violin.
I think I may try 3/4 size guitar.
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Before you run out and get a 3/4 size guitar you need to understand there is no such thing as “full size guitar” as a category. When most people say Full Size Guitar they mean a Dreadnought which is one of the largest guitar you can buy with a long scale and 45mm nut
Guitars come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes and what most classify as 3/4 size guitars are cheap guitar for children and not worth spending money on.
Guitars also come in different body depth. My wife is 5’4" with small hands and has no problem playing her Ibanez AE70L which is a full size guitar with a smaller thin body guitar with a short scale and 43mm nut.
The best thing to do is go to a music store and try all the different sizes to see what feel comfortable and look for a small body guitar not a small guitar.
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Hi…
Ok. I will visit my local guitar shop. Thank-you for the advice.
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@stitch gives excellent advice. I have small hands and nearly always played a telecaster or Strat which has a 25.5” fretboard. I have a tele with a very narrow nut 40.5 mm and I have an Ibanez ar420 with a shorter fretboard like Gibson make and both of those things make a big difference for someone like me with little hands. So I if you go to a guitar shop you may find something suitable.
Ed Sheeran regularly played a 3/4 length and says he prefers it as it’s convenient for busking
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Are there specific chords you have troubles with? It could also be a matter of hand positioning.
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The Lady is right, could you describe it or even post a pic of your hand on the fretboard?
Also, take a look at the Taylor GS Mini or the smaller Martin’s if it is in your budget.
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Lots of good advice in here already.
Would you mind sharing how small your hands actually are? Being rather on the shorter end of the size spectrum I have to deal with small hands as well.
For reference, my hands come with following specs: total length from base of the palm to tip of middle finger (longest finger): 15.8 cm/6.2 in, Index/Ring finger: 6.7 cm/2.64 in, Middle: 7.6 cm/2.99 in, Pinky: 5.4 cm/2.13 in, width of palm: 7.6 cm/2.99 in. (That was interesting, I’ve never measured my hands before)
Being a violin player, some of the fretting movements on guitar must feel weird for you. Also, as Els @LadyOfTheCastle is mentioning, the hand positioning plays a role as well and will be totally different compared to violin.
As suggested by others, a pic of your hand fretting the chords would help for more detailed advice along with a description what the problem with the chord is, i.e. string buzz, muted notes…
How long are you playing guitar? As with violin, it will take time to make some good sounding notes. I have an on-off relationship with my guitar (first one being a Dreadnought, too) for more than 20 years now, also had piano lessons as a kid. I knew my hands are small and my reach thus physically limited, but that never kept me from playing. Almost all basic chords needed and barre chords down the road, too, are all possible with small hands. But it will take time and practice. There are even certain exercises to develop better finger stretch, see Justin’s lesson on that:
https://www.justinguitar.com/guitar-lessons/beginner-finger-stretches-b1-401
All of this being sad, I just want to encourage you that your hands are perfectly fine for playing guitar. 
For finding the appropriate one, the other commenters already gave lots of good advice and we all love to find a good reason to got get another guitar, aren’t we? 
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In addition to all the previous posts re guitar size, I’d like to add -
Forget apps, use the (Free) Justin guitar website beginners course. It starts by teaching you chords D, A and E, none of which are ‘stretchy’. Those chords will allow you to play loads of songs which will then enable you to progress. Your ‘small’ hands will cease to be an issue.
Would help to know what your hand span is. 
R
To be honest no. However you will be surprised to know that over time your hands and fingers will stretch more than you think is possible. Playing guitar is an unusual activity, your body is just not used to these movements. Give it time, it will come.
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I think this is the best advice. There are a number of aspects of playing guitar that seemed nearly impossible for the first months, even years. It is getting used to the movements, positions and techniques. Keep at it and it will improve.
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Size does not matter !
playing guitar is like a sport
you need time for the muscles in your hand to get stronger
with time and perseverance they will stretch without you noticing it
its also a matter of the type of neck your guitar has
the size of the neck is very different on each guitar
Can you tell us what guitar do you use ?
Maybe we can help you chose something more suitable for you as a beginner
I’m absolutely certain I have smaller hands than you and I can play chords just fine. I’ve seen small kids with even smaller hands than me play incredibly.
It’s simply practice practice practice and you’ll get there.
I want to echo what everyone is saying. For me, I have a GS Mini and was having trouble with it. Taylor Guitar did a complete setup and now it is very playable. I was thinking I would need a bigger guitar, but now I think this will work. A bigger guitar might be more comfortable, but I can play the GS Mini. My point is, make sure your setup is good.
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