Comparing Upright and Grand Sizes

[alzado]

Forgive me for a rather amateur question, but this has me somewhat bewildered.  I suspect a reply would help a number of us.

The confusion comes in comparing uprights to grands in terms of their nominal size.

Now for both, I assume the size stated in units of length is a measurement of the length of the longest strings, or maybe it's a measurement of the length of the frame to which the strings are attached.  [ ? ? ? ]

Forgive me if I am wrong, but I believe a rather good-sized upright like a studio would typically be about a 46" model.  Translate that to feet and inches, and that would make it 3' 10".   And yet . . . .

One of the smallest grands one finds for sale is about a 4' 10".   Or-- about 25% larger than the aforementioned upright.

Does that mean the smallest (baby) grand will have significantly longer strings than the largest commonly sold uprights?

For uprights as well as grands, will the size as measured in units of length be equivalent to the longest string -- such as the low A (key #1)?  If not, what is it equivalent to?

Any clarification appreciated  - - -

[jeremyjchilds]

A grand is measured from the front of the lid to the end of the case. This puts the "speaking length of the string" to be significantly less long than the piano is.

THe ratio of pioano height to string length is better in uprights, which is why a large well built upright can sound better than cheap baby grands-though the action is usually inferior...