Model Scales

2002-5-23

SCALES
Model (and figure) scales are generally labelled in three different ways.

(1) The "1/X" notation shows 1 on the model scale to X in real life. For the moment stick to inches and figures. 1/72 means a 6 foot (72 inch) person would be a figure 1 inch high. 1/32 makes that person 2.25 inches high (divide 72 by 32). 1/35 gives a figure about 2.06 inches.
(2) The "mm" notation is used only for figures and represents the figure height of a 6 foot person in real life.
(3) Then there's the railroad scales HO, N, O, OO which also have corresponding 1/X scales.

CONVERSIONS
To convert between the "1/X" and "mm" notations (for comparisons and compatibility) requires a little math. 1 inch= 25.4 mm. So 1/72 figures are also called 25mm scale. 1/32 comes out 57mm (25.4 x 2.25), and 1/35 comes out 52mm (2.06 x 25.4).

The easiest way to convert between the two notations is to use the number of mm (1829) in 6 feet (72 inches). To change "mm" notation to "1/X", just divide 1829 by the number of mm. So a 15mm figure comes out about 1/122 scale. To change "1/X" to "mm", divide 1829 by the X in "1/X". A 1/72 scale figure comes out about 25mm high (actually 25.4mm).

One thing you'll notice, a 54mm figure (or model) actually looks 8 times bigger (2 x 2 x 2) than a 1/72 (25mm) item, not twice as big. Below is a picture of both scales together.








The 54mm figure is only twice as high as the 25mm figure but it looks much larger.

COMPATIBILITY and COMPARISONS
Companies used to play fast and loose with scales (not so much now). All the old Airfix sets used to be labelled "HO/OO". They were really closer to 1/72 (OO). A real HO scale tank (like Matchbox) next to a real 1/72 looks like a VW bug next to a Cadillac.
First, some scales tend to be lumped together in general use. They're close enough so you can't tell the difference. 1/32 & 1/35 are referred to as 54 mm, 1/72 & 1/76 are called OO, 1/160 & 1/163 are called N, and you'll probably never see train scales referred to by "1/X" or "mm" notation.
Secondly, "compatible" does not necessarily mean everything is compatible. With 1/72 figures, HO buildings & ships may work, but HO vehicles & figures (unless you use them as children) will not. 1/96 gives figures 2mm shorter than HO (fine for normal variances in height). Same thing with 1/144 & N scale, 1/41 & O scale, and 1/32 & 1/35 scales.
A word of caution. Some manufacturers may label a figure as a certain size (e.g. 25mm) without meaning that this is the scale (just the actual size). A 3 foot item (in real life) would be about 25mm high in 1/32 (54mm) scale.

SCALE TABLES
First some explanation. Some scales are used for figures (and vehicles) while others are used only for very large objects like ships & planes. Below are some conversions mostly for trains, figures, & vehicles (some ships & planes). For anything but figures the "mm" notation simply represents 6 real feet.

train scale
1/X scale 		mm scale
common uses 		compatible scales
Z 1/200 9.1mm trains 1/180
  1/180(1/183) 10mm figures,vehicles 1/200
N 1/160 11.4mm trains,figures,vehicles 1/144
2mm 1/152.3 12mm trains N,1/144
N (UK) 1/148 12.4mm trains 1/144
  1/122 15mm figures,vehicles 1/110
TT 1/101.6 18mm trains  
HO 1/87 21mm trains,figures,vehicles 1/96, 1/72??
OO/EM/P4 1/76(1/75) 24mm trains,figures,vehicles 1/72, HO??
  1/72 25mm figures,vehicles,planes,ships OO, HO??
S 1/64 28.6mm trains 1/72
  1/48 38mm figures(painted),planes 1/50
0/ScaleSeven 1/43.5 42mm trains 1/41,1/48
  1/41 45mm figures  
  1/35(54mm) 52mm figures,vehicles 1/32
  1/32(54mm) 57mm figures,vehicles 1/35
1 1/30.5 60mm trains 1/32
  1/24 76mm vehicles,planes,ships  
  1/20 90mm figures  
  1/16 114mm figures,vehicles 1/15
  1/15 120mm figures 1/16


The scales below seem to be used exclusively for ships & planes. You'll only see the "1/X" notation but the "mm" are included for comparisons (mm = 6 real feet).

1/X scale mm scale compatible scales
1/720 2.5mm 1/700
1/700 2.6mm 1/720
1/400 4.6mm  
1/288 6.4mm 1/250
1/250 7.3mm 1/288
1/200 9.1mm 1/180(10mm)
1/163 11.2mm N(1/160-11.4mm)
1/144 12.7mm N(1/160-11.4mm)
1/110 16.6mm 1/122(15mm)
1/96 19mm HO(1/87-21mm)
1/60 30.5mm  
1/50 36.6mm 1/48-38mm