Reasonable Humidity for a Violin and Bow?

Edited: January 14, 2026, 8:40 AM · Reasonable is 50% +/-
This is what museum humidity is.

Edited: January 14, 2026, 8:57 AM · I will reiterate the advice from David Burgess here (because it's true).... humidity meters that come with cases can be very unreliable. I recently bought a nice little humidity/temperature unit (actually from David B) and found out my case meter was very wrong. I have since tested out my home humidity/temp against the thermostat readings and found his unit to be spot on. The portability of the unit allows me to measure humidity where my violin is at any given moment.... guess my long winded story moral is: don't trust that case gauge.

Hope you're on the mend soon...prayers!

Edited: January 14, 2026, 9:26 AM · Yes, the analogue brass devices often installed in cases are incredibly imprecise, and digital ones can vigorously disagree with each other.

That said, 40-60% is the range most seem to think is ideal. Higher or lower could be OK if it doesn't change at all, or accompany quick changes in temperature.

January 14, 2026, 11:06 AM · May you be well! You are more important than a violin and bow.

January 14, 2026, 2:06 PM · 30-40% is ideal in my opinion for an instrument. 50%+ is more like the humidity you’d use for a cigar humidor, which I think is a bit much for string instruments. I think a room humidifier is probably the best option for instruments. Dampits and in case Boveda packets can cause water damage and mold growth in your instrument.

As Stephen mentioned stability of the environment the instrument is stored is probably the most important thing - especially for older instruments. Newer instruments are probably more stable outdoors, especially in the summertime.

January 14, 2026, 2:26 PM · I’d aim for 50%. I turn on my humidifier if it drops below 40%, as that’s when cracks start. I consider 40-60 acceptable but 50% ideal.

Edited: January 14, 2026, 4:16 PM · 40-60% is what I normally see recommended online. That said, in my part of the UK, the room my instruments are in hovers around 35% humidity in the winters and about 65% in the summers. My pegs get sticky at over 50% humidity. Like Nate, I’m partial to that 35-40% range.

January 14, 2026, 4:32 PM · I'd stay around 40%.

At 50 and above the risk of mould is getting too high if the ventilation in the room is not adjusted for it. In a closed violin case the ventilation is close to zero.

I also prefer the humidity to not change too much, so when the regular humidity indoors is below 25% in the winter a very high level of humidity inside the case would result in huge fluctuations for the cranky little thing when it gets out to play.

January 14, 2026, 4:34 PM · Nate, Dampits are awful but Stretto and Boveda pads have never caused any water damage or mold for me and I have been using them for years in many cases and cabinets.

50% RH is ideal. At that level, my instruments stay in tune, my pegs don't slip or stick, and I have never had a crack or a seam open. Most luthiers recommend keeping the RH between 40% - 60%.

January 14, 2026, 4:48 PM · The problem with Bovedas in violin cases is that they don't usually hit their target. In the dead of winter, 59% sachets will maybe get you in the the mid-high 40s. So some experimentation is useful.