Scale calculator
Work out the model size of anything — and see it. Whether you’re sizing trees for an HO layout, checking a 1:35 tank fits a diorama, converting a 1:72 aircraft or basing a 28 mm miniature, this calculator does the maths.
iEnter a real-world size and pick your scale to get the model size to build.
Your tree shown at model size, next to a 1.8 m figure.
What you can work out
Size trees & scenery
Work out how tall a model tree, bush or hill should be so it looks right next to your trains and figures.
Check figures & buildings
Drop a model size in and see the real-world size it represents — so a figure or structure actually fits your layout.
Scratch-build to scale
Have a real measurement or a blueprint? Convert it to the exact model dimension in any unit.
Convert between scales
Got a part in O scale but build in N? Convert a measurement from one scale to another in a click.
Find an unknown scale
Know the real size and the model size? Get the ratio (1:N) and the closest standard scale it matches.
Buy with confidence
Check a part's scale size before you order, so it arrives the right size for your collection.
Common model scales — the complete chart
Every scale below works in the calculator above — pick a railway preset or type any ratio under Custom. A smaller second number means a bigger model.
Model railways
- Z1:220Smallest mainstream train scale
- N1:160Popular small scale (UK N is 1:148)
- TT1:120Sits between N and HO
- HO1:87The world's most popular train scale
- OO1:76British outline, 16.5 mm gauge
- S1:64Larger, highly detailed
- O1:48Big & detailed (UK O is 1:43.5)
- Gauge 11:32Garden & large indoor layouts
- G1:22.5Garden railways (LGB)
Military & tanks
- 1:161:16Large radio-control tanks
- 1:351:35The standard military / AFV scale
- 1:481:48Tanks & vehicles (matches O)
- 1:721:72Compact armour, pairs with aircraft
- 1:761:76British armour (Airfix), ~OO
- 1:1001:100Wargaming armour (Flames of War)
- 1:1441:144Micro armour
Aircraft
- 1:241:24Large display aircraft
- 1:321:32Big, detailed fighters
- 1:481:48'Quarter scale' — very popular
- 1:721:72The most common aircraft scale
- 1:1441:144Airliners & small jets
- 1:2001:200Collectible airliners
Cars, bikes & vehicles
- 1:81:8Large build-up model cars
- 1:121:12Motorbikes & display cars
- 1:181:18Detailed diecast cars
- 1:241:24Standard model car kits
- 1:431:43Classic diecast scale
- 1:641:64Diecast (Hot Wheels, Matchbox)
- 1:871:87HO road vehicles for layouts
Ships & boats
- 1:961:96Large sailing ships
- 1:1441:144Submarines & boats
- 1:3501:350Popular warship scale
- 1:4501:450Smaller warships
- 1:7001:700The standard waterline ship scale
- 1:12501:1250Collectible & naval wargaming
Figures & wargaming
- 28–32mm1:56Warhammer, Bolt Action
- 20mm1:72WWII & skirmish wargaming
- 15mm1:100Historical & sci-fi wargaming
- 10mm1:160Mass-battle wargaming
- 6mm1:285Epic-scale / micro armour
- 54mm1:32Classic display figures
- 75mm1:24Display figures & busts
Dollhouse & architecture
- 1:121:12Standard dollhouse
- 1:241:24Half-scale dollhouse
- 1:481:48Quarter-scale dollhouse
- 1:501:50Architectural models
- 1:1001:100Architectural & site models
- 1:2001:200Large building & site models
Gundam & mecha (Gunpla)
- 1:1441:144HG / RG kits
- 1:1001:100MG — Master Grade
- 1:601:60PG — Perfect Grade
- 1:481:48Mega Size
Miniature & figure scale chart (mm → ratio)
Tabletop and figure scales are usually quoted as a height in millimetres. Here’s roughly what each is as a ratio — handy for converting a 28 mm miniature, basing, or matching vehicles and terrain to your figures.
How to use it
- 1Pick a mode — real → model, model → real, find the scale, or convert between scales.
- 2Enter your measurement and choose a unit (metric or imperial).
- 3Select your scale, or type any custom ratio — the size, resize percentage and a to-scale preview update live.
Scale calculator FAQ
What is a scale calculator?
A scale calculator converts between real-world sizes and model sizes for a given ratio. Enter a real measurement and a scale (like HO 1:87) to get the model size, or work backwards from a model size to the real one.
What does 1:87 (or 1:35) mean?
It's the ratio of model to real. At 1:87, the model is 87 times smaller than the real thing — so 87 mm of real length becomes 1 mm on the model. A smaller second number means a bigger model.
What scale are model tanks?
1:35 is the standard military/AFV scale, with 1:48 and 1:72 also very common. Large radio-control tanks are often 1:16, and wargaming armour is usually 1:100 (15 mm).
What scale are model aircraft?
1:72 is the most common aircraft scale, followed by 1:48 ('quarter scale'). Big detailed kits use 1:32 or 1:24, and airliners are often 1:144 or 1:200.
What scale are model ships?
1:350 and 1:700 are the standard warship scales (1:700 is the classic 'waterline' scale). Large sailing ships are often 1:96, and naval wargaming uses 1:1250.
What scale is 28mm / Warhammer?
28–32 mm 'heroic' miniatures are roughly 1:56. It's a figure-height convention rather than an exact ratio, so treat it as a close approximation; matching vehicles are usually 1:56 too.
What scale is N gauge?
N scale is 1:160 (British N is 1:148). It's the second most popular model railway scale after HO and great where space is tight.
Which is bigger, 1:48 or 1:72?
1:48 is bigger. The smaller the second number, the larger the model — so a 1:48 model is about 1.5× the size of the same subject at 1:72.
What scale is a dollhouse?
The standard dollhouse scale is 1:12. Half scale (1:24) and quarter scale (1:48) are popular for smaller projects.
How tall should a tree be on my layout?
Choose 'Real → Model', enter the real tree height (a typical tree is 8–15 m), and pick your scale. A 10 m tree is about 11.5 cm in HO (1:87).
What is a scale factor?
The scale factor is the number after the colon in 1:N — how many times smaller the model is than the real thing. At 1:48 the scale factor is 48, so the model is one-forty-eighth of real size.
How do I scale a drawing or plan to another scale?
Use 'Convert scale': enter a measurement at the source scale and pick the target scale. The result includes a resize percentage — print or photocopy your plan at that percentage to rescale it accurately.
What percentage do I enlarge or reduce to (e.g. for 3D printing)?
Use 'Convert scale' and read the resize percentage. For example, 1:48 → 1:35 enlarges to about 137%, while 1:35 → 1:72 reduces to about 49%.
What scale is full size (1:1)?
1:1 is full, real-world size — the model is identical to the real object. Type 1 as a custom ratio for life-size, or any number for a custom scale.
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