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Figure Scale
Okay, so you've been a wargamer forever and you want to do
conversions from plastic model kits, Christmas Village accessories or some other
non-traditional source. Will it be compatible with your gaming stuff? Short of
taking a figure with you to size against it (not always practical) you need to
under stand what the various scales are and what they are used for. This table
can help you figure out if the kit you are considering is compatible with your
figure collection.
| Wargame Scale |
Model Railroad Scale |
Plastic Modeling Scale |
Remarks |
Other Compatible Scales |
| .67mm |
N/A |
1/2400 |
Commonly used for naval miniatures (WWI, WWII, Modern) and for
starship combat games such as Star Fleet Battles |
1/3000 |
| 1.33mm |
NA |
1/1200 |
used for naval miniatures, especially for pre-20th century ships.
(In the modern periods, most gamers now use 1/2400 scale due to price
and playing area size.) |
1/900 |
| 2mm |
N/A |
1/900 |
At this scale, each miniature often represents an entire unit (a
group of men, squadron of cavalry, battery of artillery). Recommended
for those who want to depict large, epic battles in a limited table
space, or who have less time for painting. Historical and science
fiction. |
1/1200 |
| 2.7mm |
N/A |
1/600 |
Popular pre-20th century naval miniatures scale. |
2mm |
| 6mm |
Z Gauge |
1/300 |
The popular scale for modern combat, often involving armored
vehicles. Periods include WWI, WWII, and contemporary. Miniatures in
this scale have the advantage of being inexpensive. The small size also
means there is less visible detail to paint. In this scale it is
possible to put armies on the tabletop which give the impression of
masses of infantry. Figures available for fantasy, historical, and
science fiction. |
1/285 |
| 10mm |
N Gauge |
1/160 |
Relatively new scale, used for fantasy, historical and science
fiction. Some think this will be the popular scale of the future, larger
enough to show detail but small enough to fit a large army on a
tabletop. |
None |
| 15mm |
N/A |
1/100 |
The most popular scale for pre-20th Century wargaming. Also used for
fantasy, science fiction, and 20th Century "skirmish-level" games.
Plastic kits of mechs (robotic fighting machines) are available in this
scale. Modern military vehicles also come in this scale, in metal and
plastic.
|
HO Gauge |
| 20mm |
HO Gauge
(OO Gauge in UK/EU) |
1/87 |
Becoming popular for skirmish-level 20th Century wargaming. Also
used for science fiction. Several popular lines of pre- assembled and
painted armored vehicles are available in this scale. |
15mm |
| 22mm |
N/A |
1/72 |
Plastic miniatures and kits are available in this scale for
aircraft, ground vehicles, and soldiers. |
25mm, 20mm |
| 25mm |
S Gauge |
1/64 |
Traditionally popular for pre-20th Century wargaming, though most
historical gamers have now switched to 15mm. Excellent scale for display
games. Continues to be popular for fantasy wargaming, historical
skirmish-level games, science fiction, and for use with role-playing
games. |
28mm |
| 28mm / 30mm |
O Gauge
(P48 gauge in UK/EU) |
1/48 |
The "large" 25mm figures are sometimes listed as being 28mm or 30mm,
the scales being functionally equivalent. Also called Heroic Scale. Also
popular for most 'Christmas Village' lines |
1/35 |
| 46mm |
N/A |
1/35 |
Popular scale for plastic kits of armor. Occasionally used for
modern gaming. |
I Gauge |
| 40mm |
N/A |
1/40 |
Typically used for popular 'Action Figures', not a wargaming scale. |
I Gauge |
| 54mm |
Gauge 1 |
1/32 |
Traditional "toy soldier" scale, an uncommon scale in miniature
gaming (GW uses it for its Inquisitor game and Fantasy Flights uses it
for their Warzone game) However, it has been making a comeback in recent
years - the large figures are said to be more convenient for older
gamers. This scale is also popular for display (non-wargaming) figures.
|
Gn15 Gauge |
| 80mm |
G Gauge |
1/20 |
Not a wargaming scale. Some G-scale bridges will accommodate 30mm
AFVs nicely though and can be used on a 28mm/30mm table. G scale
buildings are compatibles with 54mm figures in most cases. |
Gauge 1 |
| 100mm |
N/A |
1/18 |
Popular scale for die cast model cars - not a wargaming scale |
G Gauge |
| 120mm |
N/A |
1/16 |
Popular scale for resin display figures - not a wargaming scale |
None |
| 300mm |
N/A |
1/12 |
sometimes called Toy Scale as it is the size of 'Fashion Dolls' like
Barbie™. Not a wargaming scale - though I did see a WWII skirmish played
out at this scale once at Origins |
None |
| 400mm |
N/A |
1/9 |
Popular RC (radio control) scale - not a wargaming scale |
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Converting Between Scale Types
To theoretically convert ratio scales into height scales - and
assuming here that height scales measure to "eye height" while ratio scales
measure to "head height" - divide 1610 by the scale. For example, 1/285 figures
are pretty much the same scale as
1610 / 285 = 5.656mm figures.The reverse is
also true: to get ratio scale, divide 1610 by the height scale. Thus, 25mm
figures are equivalent to
1610 / 25 = 64.41/64 scale (which is in
spitting distance of 1/72 scale, another common scale).
This means that 15mm toy soldiers are probably about 16.5mm tall overall,
which makes them closer to 1/110 scale than 1/120. N-gauge figures (1/160) are
about 11.25mm tall to the top of the head, which makes them about 10mm scale toy
soldiers.
Where does the Magic Number 1610 Come From?
To get the magic number, all you need to come up with the "eye
height" of the average man, measured in millimeters. The number we use is 1610
mm (about 5' 3").
Why does the magic number work? Because equivalent height and ratio scales,
multiplied, should always result in the same constant (our magic number). In the
simplest case, we take real life - 1:1 ratio scale, eye height of 1610 mm - and
multiply 1 x 1610 = 1610. Therefore, 1610 is the constant.
So what is the magic number for a manufacturer who measures height scale to
top of the head, rather than to eye level? Simply the height of the average man
in millimeters - 1730 (5' 8").
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Related Pages
Up
Winter Tables
Using Swap Outs
Imperial Grav Tanks
Scale
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