Last Updated on August 12, 2025 by Justin
Struggling to choose between thin or thick picks? Medium guitar picks strike the perfect balance for most guitar players—flexible yet firm, bright yet warm, and ideal for rhythm and lead.
Contents
Medium Pick Thickness at a Glance
| Gauge | Thickness | Characters |
|---|---|---|
| Thin | <0.55 mm | Bright tone, flexible, less durable |
| Medium | 0.55 – 1.0 mm | Versatile, balanced tone & flexibility |
| Thick | 1.0 mm | Full tone, rigid, precision-focused |
- Rombo survey: Thousands of guitarists defined medium gauge between 0.55 and 1 mm
- Iron Age Accessories define it even broader: 0.75 – 1.25 mm
Why Medium Picks Are a Top Choice
| Feature | Advantage |
|---|---|
| Versatility | Great for strumming, single notes, and hybrid styles. |
| Balanced Tone | Warmth from thickness + brightness from material. |
| Playability | More control than thin picks; less strain than thick. |
| Beginner-Friendly | Easy to adapt as playing style evolves. |
What Are the Best Medium Guitar Picks?
Below are five of the best medium guitar picks on the market in my personal opinion. If you’d like to see my overall list, be sure to see my list of my best guitar picks of all time.
1 . Dunlop Tortex 0.73 Medium Guitar Pick
My number 1 medium guitar pick has to be the Dunlop Tortex 0.73mm. I absolutely love this guitar pick! The Tortex guitar pick is renowned for its durability and versatility. As well as being possibly the most popular guitar pick of all time. Crafted from a durable plastic material, famously known as Tortex, these guitar picks offer a unique balance between flexibility and stiffness. This combination allows for precise control and excellent articulation while playing lead guitar. But they are also great for strumming on both electric and acoustic guitars.
Tortex guitar picks are quite possibly the most popular and widely used pick of all time. From very beginners to professionals such as John Mayer and bands like Metallica.
My playing style is quite heavy so I tend to wear these down quite quickly. But don’t let that be a sign of weakness. I usually order these in a big bag or bulk pack which allows me to save on price but it also saves me from having to keep going down to the store to buy guitar picks.
2. Herco Flex Nylon Guitar Picks
The Herco Flex 3 nylon picks are favored for their comfort and versatility. Constructed from a flexible plastic material, these picks are comfortable to hold and play with for extended periods. The rounded tip of the picks makes them particularly well-suited for strumming chords and producing a warm, balanced tone. Guitarists who engage in rhythmic strumming or prefer a softer attack often find Herco Flex 3 Medium Picks to be an ideal choice.
3. Fender Celluloid Medium Picks
I have this range of guitar picks by Fender in practically every list you can think of. But for a very good reason. They are a classic guitar pick that has been around for a long time and has been used by some of the best guitarists to ever have lived. They are made from celluloid material and provide a great sound and feel. You can read more about them in my piece of Fender guitar picks.
4. Dunlop Nylon Midi 0.67
Dunlop is very well known for their nylon guitar picks. But their Nylon Midi range is not quite as well known. It is a shame because they’re actually very useful. That is because they come in -between gauges. Hence the name, midi. This pick in particular is 0.67mm which is a gauge you don’t see practically ever. Admittedly it is somewhere between a thin and medium pick but I’d say it falls closer to the range of medium. That is why I have added it to this list. The Dunlop Midi picks feel great and sound fantastic! Lastly, they have an awesome grip that makes them a dream to play.
5. Dava Grip Tips Mediums
Here’s a guitar pick you don’t see every day. But should be more well known in my opinion. The Dava grip tip mediums are used by famous guitarist Cory Wong and I have since begun using them to see what all the fuss was about. The Dava picks feature a multi-gauge technology that means the gauge and feel of the pick changes depending on where you set your fingers. This innovation makes them really versatile and a great addition to your guitar pick collection. They really help you to play multiple styles of guitar in one go. These particular picks are made from Delrin but Dava has them in Poly Gel and nylon too.
Choosing the Right Medium Pick for You
- **Decide your playing goal**
- Strumming > 0.60–0.75 mm
- Lead focus > 0.9–1.0 mm
- Combine with material & shape
- Warm tones: wood/celluloid
- Bright tones: nylon/Ultex
- Precision: Jazz-style buds
- Test & adapt
- Medium gauge is ideal for exploration. Try a variety pack, note what feels intuitive, and refine as you evolve.
FAQs: Medium Guitar Picks
1) What is a “medium” guitar pick and how does it compare to thin or heavy picks?
“Medium” usually means ~0.60–0.90 mm (with .73 mm the classic middle). Versus thin picks, mediums feel firmer, give you more volume control, and won’t flap on attack. Versus heavy picks, they flex a bit more, making broad strums smoother and mistakes more forgiving. If you need one pick that can strum and still articulate single-notes, “medium” is the default starting point.
2) Are medium picks good for beginners?
Yes. They’re the easiest compromise while your technique settles. A medium gives you:
- Enough flex for relaxed strumming (so you don’t snag strings).
- Enough rigidity to hear note definition when you try riffs or simple leads.
Most new players do well starting around .70–.75 mm and adjusting up/down after a week of playing.
3) Which medium thickness should I choose? (.71, .73, etc.)
Small steps matter. Use this quick guide:
- Mostly strumming (acoustic or clean electric): ~.60–.70 mm
- Mixed rhythm + occasional leads: ~.71–.80 mm (e.g., .73 mm)
Tighter attack, less flex, more control: ~.80–.88 mm (upper end of “medium” for some brands).
4) Should I use thin or medium picks for my style?
- Thin (≤~.60 mm): Easiest, “flappy” strums and a glassy top-end; weaker single-note control; wear faster.
- Medium (~.60–.80 mm): Balanced tone and control; strums stay smooth but you can still pick clearly; better durability.
If you strum 90% of the time, try thin or the low end of medium. If you do any picking, medium is usually smarter.
5) What are medium picks best used for (guitar type, genres, pro use)?
Mediums shine for acoustic rhythm, pop/rock rhythm, worship sets, singer-songwriter strumming, and general-purpose electric where you jump between chords and hooks. They’re common on both acoustic and electric. Note: specialized picks like Jazz III are typically heavy (often >1 mm) and are not “medium,” even though players use them for speed/precision.
Final Thoughts on Medium Picks
Medium guitar picks are the most adaptable and beginner-friendly choice. They offer the balance between flexibility, tone, and control that suits a wide range of playing styles.
Start with a 0.7–0.9 mm medium gauge pick, experiment with material and shape, and you’ll find your perfect fit in no time.
Hey, fellow guitar mate! I’m Justin, I have been a professional guitarist since 2012. I have traveled the world playing on different stages alongside some of the best indie bands, at some of the biggest music festivals in the world. As a result, I’ve played lots of different guitar gear. Instead of keeping that knowledge to myself, I have set up this site to share my honest reviews of various guitar gear. But most notably, my love for guitar picks.