Music
Instruments are built to be carried, so makers fight for every gram — and that fight has been going on for four centuries. A violin has to be light enough to hold up with one arm for a whole concert, which is why it weighs less than a can of soda despite all that wood.
Then there's the other half of the category: the gear music travels on. A vinyl LP, a CD, a pair of headphones — objects you've handled a thousand times without ever wondering what they weigh.
Lightest: Audio CD (15 g) · Heaviest: Electric guitar (3.6 kg)
| Object | Weight | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Audio CD | 15 g | 0.53 oz |
| Tuning fork | 50 g | 1.8 oz |
| Vinyl LP (180 g pressing) | 180 g | 6.3 oz |
| DJ headphones | 300 g | 11 oz |
| Violin | 450 g | 16 oz |
| Concert flute | 450 g | 16 oz |
| Trumpet | 1.1 kg | 2.4 lb |
| Acoustic guitar | 2 kg | 4.4 lb |
| Cello | 3.5 kg | 7.7 lb |
| Electric guitar | 3.6 kg | 7.9 lb |
Music: frequently asked questions
How much does a violin weigh?
A full-size (4/4) violin weighs only about 450 grams — less than a full soda can, and about the same as a concert flute. Centuries of instrument making went into keeping it light enough to hold up for an entire concert.
Is an electric guitar heavier than an acoustic one?
Yes, and it surprises people: an electric guitar like a Stratocaster weighs about 3.6 kg versus roughly 2 kg for an acoustic. An acoustic is a hollow box; an electric is a solid plank of wood with metal hardware bolted on.
Why is a vinyl record called a 180-gram pressing?
Because that is literally what it weighs. Audiophile LPs are pressed to 180 grams — heavier than the standard 120–140 g record, which makes them stiffer and less prone to warping. An audio CD, by comparison, weighs about 15 grams.
What are the lightest and heaviest music objects in the game?
The lightest is Audio CD at 15 g (0.53 oz), the heaviest is Electric guitar at 3.6 kg (7.9 lb).
Five random music objects, as often as you like. Or try today's Daily Challenge across all categories.