ArtScroll Siddur Buying Guide: Nusach, Size, Translation & Binding
Choose an ArtScroll siddur in this order: nusach, included services, page layout, physical size, then binding. Those decisions matter more than the color of the cover. Two siddurim that look almost identical can serve quite different purposes.
Confirm the nusach and the services first
Ask the person who will use the siddur, or check their existing copy. For a school or shul purchase, get the exact requested edition. Do not infer nusach from a surname, appearance or where somebody lives. Nusach Sefard and Sephardic rites are not interchangeable labels.
Next read the full title. A weekday siddur, a Shabbos and Yom Tov siddur and a complete siddur do not necessarily include the same services. A gift can have the right nusach and still be the wrong book if it leaves out what the recipient needs.
Four examples that show why the details matter
Compact interlinear weekday use
The Schottenstein Interlinear Weekday Siddur, pocket Ashkenaz hardcover is listed at 4 × 6 inches. Its interlinear format places English close to the Hebrew words. It is worth considering for a reader who wants help following the words in a compact weekday book.
The tradeoff is page size: being easy to pack does not mean the print will be comfortable for every reader. Check a sample and remember that this particular edition is for weekdays.
A complete Hebrew–English siddur
The complete full-size Hebrew–English Siddur, Sefard illustrates a different choice: a broader service selection in a specific nusach, with English translation. Choose it because its contents and nusach match the user, not because “complete” sounds like an upgrade for everyone.
Compare where the translation sits and how much commentary surrounds the tefillos. Readers differ: some want detailed explanation available on the page, while others prefer fewer visual interruptions.
A school-oriented chinuch siddur
The Chaim Shlomo Chinuch Siddur, Ashkenaz has numbered lines, English instructions and reinforced binding. Those features can help when a teacher directs children to a particular place. They are useful only if this is the edition the class uses; line numbers will not solve a mismatch between different books.
An illustrated introduction for young children
The ArtScroll Children's Siddur, Peritz Edition is designed for ages 5–8 and presents selected prayers with explanations and illustrations. It has a different job from a school siddur or a complete adult edition. Match the book to what the child is ready to follow.
Translation, interlinear and transliteration are different
Translation explains meaning in English. Interlinear translation keeps that meaning close to individual Hebrew words or phrases. Transliteration represents Hebrew pronunciation in Latin letters. Do not assume an English edition includes transliteration, or that an interlinear edition is a pronunciation guide.
If someone specifically needs pronunciation help, confirm that the exact product includes it. A sample page is more useful than the cover photograph for this decision.
Test the format against everyday use
- On a shtender: can the reader comfortably follow the print from their usual distance?
- In a bag: check the book's actual dimensions against the available space.
- At school: match the requested title, edition and line numbering.
- As a gift: confirm the text before choosing premium binding or asking about personalization.
For personalization, confirm the exact Hebrew spelling, what can be added to that binding and the available turnaround before ordering. Do not assume every edition supports the same service.
What to send when asking for help
A photograph of the current siddur's title page, the desired nusach, the services needed and a rough size preference make a useful request. If replacing a worn copy, an ISBN or product code is even better.
Browse siddurim and prayer books with those details in hand. For a separate matching volume, our Tehillim guide explains the decisions that change when choosing Tehillim.
Which ArtScroll siddur is right for you?
ArtScroll publishes several siddur lines. They share the same careful text, but differ in how much English you get, how it is laid out, and how big the book is. Use the table to narrow it down, then check the nusach and size on each listing.
| Edition | Language and layout | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Complete ArtScroll Siddur | Hebrew with English translation on the facing page, with instructions and commentary | A first Hebrew and English siddur, and shul use |
| Wasserman Siddur | The Complete Siddur expanded with more than 100 pages of additional material, per the publisher listing | Daily davening with extra tefillos and notes in one book |
| Schottenstein Interlinear Siddur | English printed under each Hebrew word | Learning the meaning of every word while davening |
| Siddur Yitzchak Yair | Hebrew text with Hebrew or English instructions, no translation | Readers comfortable in Hebrew who want a light, clear siddur |
| Siddur Ohel Sarah | Hebrew and English siddur prepared for women | Women and girls |
Most editions come in Nusach Ashkenaz and Nusach Sefard, and in pocket, full and larger sizes. Pages and dimensions differ by edition, so each card below quotes the listing.
Complete ArtScroll Siddur, Full Size, Ashkenaz
$34.99
Hebrew and English, 1,043 pages per the listing.
Browse every edition in our ArtScroll siddurim collection or the interlinear siddurim. Comparing publishers? Read ArtScroll vs Koren: siddur and Tanakh.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the Complete ArtScroll Siddur and the Wasserman Siddur?
The Wasserman Siddur is an expanded edition of the Complete ArtScroll Siddur. According to the publisher listing it adds more than 100 pages of additional material. Both give Hebrew with English on the facing page.
What does interlinear mean?
In an interlinear siddur the English translation is printed directly beneath each Hebrew word, so you can follow the meaning word by word.
Is there an ArtScroll siddur without English translation?
Yes. The Siddur Yitzchak Yair gives the Hebrew text with instructions in Hebrew or English, but no translation.
Which nusach should I buy?
Buy the nusach your family or shul uses. Most ArtScroll siddurim come in both Ashkenaz and Sefard, and the nusach is shown in each title.