Short summary
This guitar pick size chart explains how different pick dimensions, thicknesses, and grip surfaces affect comfort, control, and tone.
It compares the sizes of various ChickenPicks models and highlights how their beveled edges and thermoset material create a smaller effective grip area, despite larger overall dimensions.
The guide also explores how pick material, thickness, and shape influence playability, durability, pick noise, and string response, helping guitarists choose the right pick for their playing style and instrument.
Guitar pick dimensions
Find out what our picks differ from the rest.
As a result of many questions about our pick, we will describe what’s so special to ChickenPicks guitar picks in relation to other brands.
Material
The material we use is completely different from standard guitar picks, because the use of a thermosetting plastic.
Guitar pick size chart:
The material we use
Our picks are made of Thermoset polymer. This is a thermosetting plastic, while all other plastic guitar picks are made of thermoplastics.
As a result, this already makes a big difference as well in sound as playability and it will lessen pick noise because edges won’t get jagged, which we may see with picks made of softer plastics.
Because the words Thermosetting and Thermoplastics may sound unfamiliar with you, we will explain the differences between the two.
What is the difference in material?
First of all, thermoset is a polymer that, once hardened by heat won’t melt anymore.
According to Encyclopaedia Britannica, thermosetting plastics (or thermosets) are synthetic polymers that solidify into a permanent shape through irreversible chemical reactions.
Unlike thermoplastics, which can be repeatedly melted and remelted.
The material is extremely rigid, incredibly strong and durable, while thermoplastics are softer and less durable.
Best guitar picks for beginners
When you’re new to guitar, you might want to know what is the best guitar pick for beginners;
In the mentioned blog, you may find all things that are interesting for starters. Especially which are the best guitar picks for beginners.
According to an article at Sweetwater.com many players find that heavier picks make it easier to vary their dynamics than lighter guitar picks do.
Better grip using pick grip stickers
Regardless the brand or shape of the pick, it remains important that your pick stays stable and does not slip or turn between your fingers. Gripperzz are specially designed for the best grip on your guitar pick. Gripperzz are small soft rubber grip stickers in the shape of a guitar pick.
Extremely soft material
Because thermoplastics are extremely soft, thinner guitar picks will bend when you hit the strings. According to a video by @DanielSeriffMusic a guitar pick that bends causes too much delay in your picking attack. Especially with playing solos, you should at least use a 1.5mm pick.
Secondly, softer materials will wear much faster because the steel strings of your guitar are much harder. As a result of this wearing out, you need replace your guitar picks faster. Besides this, a used pick produces more pick noise, because the edges may be jagged a bit. Manufacturers of boutique guitar picks use different materials, which in many cases may help to have less pick noise.
Boutique guitar picks in general
All of our picks classify for boutique guitar picks, which is a term for picks with a certain shape and made out of special materials.
When you want to know more, read the article about the benefits of boutique guitar picks in general.
Breaking strings more often
With lighter and softer guitar picks, you need to hit your strings harder. This may result in string breakage more often.
When using heavier picks that have more mass, you don’t need to hit that hard to get a full tone.
Another benefit of thick guitar picks is that they mostly come with beveled edges, which allow you to glide on- and off the strings very easily.
Finally, a result of this all is less string breakage as well with thicker picks.
That’s about it in short regarding the difference of materials, beveled edges and thicknesses of boutique picks.
Best guitar picks for acoustic- and bass guitar
Although acoustic guitars are different to electric guitar at some point, there is no specific guitar pick for acoustic guitars and bass guitars as well.
Finding out what the best guitar picks for acoustic are for you, means that you have to check out different models, thicknesses and materials, which advise you will also find at thepickshouse.com.
In another Guitar Essentials we wrote some useful guidelines for choosing the best picks for acoustic. The same applies to bass guitar picks.
What about the guitar pick dimensions?
Please find the exact pick sizes (in mm) for ChickenPicks guitar picks in the table below.
The 1st column shows the outer measuring of the picks from top to bottom.
And the 3rd column shows the outer width from the left- to right shoulder. For buying ChickenPicks guitar picks, click this link.
Grip surface is smaller
Because all picks have beveled edges, there’s a difference in the size of the grip surface and the final edge. With both standard- and small sized picks these differences occur.
To understand this, we added 2 extra columns in the chart, showing the measuring of the grip surface. And we added some images showing the differences with measuring lines.
How to hold a guitar pick
Place the guitar pick on top of your index finger with a little less than let’s say 6mm sticking out past the fingertip.
To hold the pick, hold it between the thumb and index finger.
Thickness of the pick in the last column
And of course, in the right column you will find the thickness of the pick in millimeters (mm).
Important to know is that all picks classify as good picks for bass guitar and mandolin picks as well.
- Pick model
- Light 2.2
- Regular 2.6
- Shredder 2.4
- Shredder 3.5
- Badazz III 2.0
- Badazz III 2.5
- Badazz III 3.2
- Bermuda III 2.1
- Bermuda III 2.7
- Bermuda III-P 2.1
- Bermuda III-P 2.7
- Bermuda III-XL 2.1
- Top to bottom
- 31.6 mm
- 31.6 mm
- 27.5 mm
- 27.5 mm
- 26.4 mm
- 26.4 mm
- 26.4 mm
- 27.2 mm
- 27.2 mm
- 28.0 mm
- 28.0 mm
- 33.0 mm
- Grip surface
- 27.6 mm
- 27.5 mm
- 24.0 mm
- 22.0 mm
- 22.4 mm
- 22.3 mm
- 22.1 mm
- 25.3 mm
- 25.2 mm
- 23.0 mm
- 22.9 mm
- 30.0 mm
- Shoulder L to R
- 27.2 mm
- 27.2 mm
- 24.0 mm
- 24.0 mm
- 25.5 mm
- 25.5 mm
- 25.5 mm
- 28.6 mm
- 28.6 mm
- 30.0 mm
- 30.0 mm
- 23.0 mm
- Grip surface
- 24.2 mm
- 24.1 mm
- 20.0 mm
- 19.5 mm
- 22.2 mm
- 22.1 mm
- 22.0 mm
- 24.9 mm
- 24.8 mm
- 25.0 mm
- 24.9 mm
- 27.0 mm
- Pick Thickness
- 2.2 mm
- 2.6 mm
- 2.4 mm
- 3.5 mm
- 2.0 mm
- 2.5 mm
- 3.2 mm
- 2.1 mm
- 2.7 mm
- 2.1 mm
- 2.7 mm
- 2.1 mm
ChickenPicks guitar pick sizes in relation to other brands
Our picks are larger than standard guitar picks from other brands, when you measure them throughout the outer sizes.
Many people think that isn’t very comfortable.
Because of the thickness, you don’t have to grip too firmly.
So it feels like you don’t need to put that much effort to play cool licks.
The sound is clear and bright, so these picks help you on how to make your guitar sound better.
A-B comparison: gripping surface is smaller
A Dunlop medium 351 model has the following measurements:
From top to bottom 30.5 mm (our Light 2.2 = 27.5 mm)
From left to right 26.0 mm (our Light 2.2 mm = 24.1 mm)
You may check this in the chart below.
- Measurements
- Top to bottom
- Left to Right
- Dunlop 351 Medium
- 30.5 mm
- 26.0 mm
- ChickenPicks Light 2.2
- 27.5 mm
- 24.1 mm
The gripping surface is the part of the pick that finally is in your hands. Because of the fact the gripping surface is smaller than the standard 351 medium pick, our picks don’t feel very large. Finally our picks are smaller.
It is the same with a Dunlop Jazz III in relation to our Badazz III pick.
Finally ChickenPicks guitar picks are smaller
The guitar pick size chart above shows that the actual gripping surface size of our picks is smaller.
When you try our picks you will notice how easy they play.
What others say about ChickenPicks guitar picks
Musikhaus Thomann
Chicago Music Exchange
Guitarpickreviews.com
Conclusion
ChickenPicks guitar picks seem large and bulky, but they definitely aren’t.
The gripping surface is the part you definitely grip onto, so that is what you feel in your hands.
Because the gripping surface is smaller than a standard medium guitar pick, they feel very comfy.
The higher mass in these picks let the strings sound great. In fact a wider range of the sound spectrum will come out of your strings.
As a result, your sound is fuller and more rich as well.
Money wise, these picks will be cheaper than average guitar picks, because they last much longer. Unless you lose these picks of course.
So, why not giving them a try.
Frequently Asked Questions About Guitar Pick Sizes
What guitar pick size is best for beginners?
Medium-sized guitar picks are often the best choice for beginners because they provide a comfortable grip and balanced control. A larger pick can also be easier to hold, helping new players develop confidence and accuracy while learning basic techniques.
Does a larger guitar pick improve playing control?
For many players, a larger guitar pick offers increased stability and grip, especially during fast passages or extended playing sessions. However, the ideal size depends on personal preference, hand size, and playing style.
How does guitar pick size affect tone?
Pick size can influence how the pick contacts the strings. Larger picks often provide a more secure grip and consistent attack, while smaller picks may allow for quicker movements. Tone is also affected by factors such as pick thickness, material, and edge shape.
Should lead guitar players use a different pick size than rhythm players?
Many lead guitarists prefer picks that offer precise control and accurate string targeting, while rhythm players may prioritize comfort and strumming efficiency. The best pick size depends on the techniques you use most often and your individual playing preferences.
How do I choose the right guitar pick size for my playing style?
Start by considering your grip comfort, musical genre, and technique. Players focused on speed and precision may prefer a different size than those who primarily strum chords. Testing several pick sizes is the most effective way to find the option that feels natural and delivers the tone and control you want.
