Miniature Scales

What are Miniature Scales?  

Miniature scales refer to the size and proportion of miniature figurines and models used in tabletop gaming, role-playing games (RPGs), and various other hobbies like dioramas. These scales are essential to maintain consistency and realism in your gaming or modelling experience. They are typically represented as a ratio, such as 1:72 (Scale Models/Historic Games), 28mm (Warhammer/Tabletop Wargames), or 1x1in/Medium (Dungeons & Dragons / RPG's).


Common Miniature Scales: 

  • 28mm: This is one of the most popular scales for tabletop gaming and RPGs. In this scale, a 6-foot tall character would be approximately 30mm on the tabletop or 28mm to it's eye level. It's widely used for games like Warhammer, Dungeons & Dragons, and many other fantasy and historical settings.
  • 1x1in or Medium: RPG's such as Dungeons & Dragons often use inches (in) for their base size. for example: a Character miniature is normally on a 1x1 or 'Medium' base. This scales up to 2x2 = Large, 3x3 = Huge & 4x4 = Gargantuan. If you're looking to convert from other wargames, it's good to know that 1x1 is approximately 25.4mm when it comes to bases. 
  • 15mm: Often used for mass battles and wargaming, 15mm miniatures are smaller and allow for larger armies on the tabletop without sacrificing detail.
  • 1:72: This scale is common in military modelling and dioramas. It's 1/72nd the size of the real object, and figures are usually around 20-25mm tall.
  • 1:144: Even smaller, this scale is used for creating highly detailed aircraft and vehicles for dioramas and miniature displays.
  • 6mm: These tiny figures are often used for epic-scale wargaming, where armies can be quite vast, and you still want to maintain some level of detail.
  • Larger Scales: There are also larger scales like 54mm and 75mm, which are favoured by collectors and painters for their increased detail and larger canvas for intricate painting.

Scale Considerations: 

  • Game Compatibility: The scale you choose should align with the game system or setting you're playing. For instance, if you're playing a 28mm-scale game, using 15mm miniatures may not provide the desired level of detail and immersion.
  • Scenery and Terrain: If you're designing terrain and scenery for your tabletop games, ensure it matches the miniature scale. Mismatched scales can detract from the overall aesthetics.
  • Mixing Scales: Mixing scales can be a creative choice, but it should be done intentionally to create a unique visual impact or story element. Some gamers enjoy mixing scales to emphasize different aspects of their games or to depict different factions or races.

Common Scaling Approximations: 

  • 28mm = In this scale, a 6-foot tall character would be approximately 30mm on the tabletop or 28mm to it's eye level.
  • 54mm = In this scale, a 6-foot tall character would be approximately 60mm on the tabletop or 56.2mmto it's eye level.
  • 75mm = In this scale, a 6-foot tall character would be approximately 80mm on the tabletop or 75.2mm to it's eye level.

In summary, your choice of scale should align with your game system, personal preferences, and the level of detail you desire in your miniatures and models. Whether you're 3D printing your own miniatures or collecting pre-made ones, selecting the right scale is a fundamental aspect of tabletop gaming and modelling.