Scale for miniatures can be a bit confusing. There's nothing worse than buying miniatures and finding they're not compatible with the game you want to play, so read on to get the lowdown on miniature scales.

  • What does scale mean for hobby miniatures?

    Scale (sometimes also called 'size') refers to the ratio between the model and the object it represents. For example, a 1:56 scale means the model is 1/56th the size of the real thing. For tabletop miniatures the scale is often given in 'mm' numbers, like '28mm', which is explained below.

  • What does 'mm' mean in miniature scales?

    Unlike some other hobby spaces, which give scale as a ratio (like 1:56), miniature scale is often given in millimeters. This is a shorthand for the height of an average human figure. This isn't really standard - some designers take '32mm' to mean '32mm from base to eye level', others to mean '32mm from base to top of head'. So it's better to treat it as a guideline rather than a concrete measurement.

    This means that a human figure in 32mm scale will be roughly 32mm in height. But watch out - this doesn't mean that all miniatures in 32mm scale are 32mm high! Something as tall as two humans might be 60-70mm in height. Giants, big vehicles, large beasts can be very large indeed.

  • What's the difference between 28mm and 32mm miniatures?

    28mm and 32mm miniatures are often grouped together, which can be a bit confusing.

    28mm is the classic tabletop standard - it's used by Warhammer, D&D, Bolt Action and many historical games. However, many miniature designers have switched to the slightly larger 32mm format as it allows for finer detail. Games Workshop/Warhammer miniatures are almost all 32mm now, and 3D printed miniature designers have mostly standardised on 32mm as well.

    Generally, 28mm and 32mm miniatures are interchangeable for tabletop games - although you'll notice the size difference on the table if you mix them together. The right pick is the scale that matches the game you want to play.

  • What are the major miniature scales?

    Miniatures mostly fall into these major categories:

    • 6mm/10mm (Epic Scale): Designed for massive battles with hundreds or thousands of models on table. Very small individual models, designed to be read on the tabletop as part of large groups. Popular systems that use 6mm/10mm scale include Epic 40,000, Warmaster and various historical mass battle systems.
    • 15mm: most common for historical wargames like Flames of War, Team Yankee and many Napoleonic/ancient era rulesets. Think regiment sized.
    • 28mm: the most popular scale for tabletop gaming. Maps to roughly 1:56 scale. Used in Dungeons and Dragons, Bolt Action, many historical and indie skirmish games. Games Workshop products like Warhammer were traditionally in 28mm, but modern releases fall under 32mm range.
    • 32mm ('28mm heroic'): the new default for most tabletop games. Slightly larger than 28mm miniatures, allowing for greater detail. Modern Games Workshop products, including Warhammer 40k and Age of Sigmar, are 32mm. Also the dominant scale for 3D printed miniatures and Kickstarter board game miniatures.
    • 54mm: mostly used for display and collectible miniatures. Rarely used for wargaming. Favoured by painters as the larger size allows for more impressive paint jobs. Ideal for dioramas, vignettes and display shelf miniatures.
    • 75mm: primarily a display and competition painting scale. Large surface area allowing for very complex paint jobs. This is the most common scale for busts. Not used for tabletop gaming.
    • 1:10 busts: very large busts used for display and competition painting. Lots of surface area.

  • What scale should I buy?

    Here's the quick list:

    • For tabletop gaming: the right scale for your game of choice. This is easy to find for your particular game but as a cheat sheet:
      • Games Workshop/Warhammer 40K/Age of Sigmar: 32mm scale is the standard for modern Games Workshop games.
      • Historical wargames: historical wargames exist at all scales, so check online to find the right scale for your game.
      • Dungeons & Dragons and other tabletop RPGs: 28mm/32mm is the standard. These are usually interchangeable but check for your individual game.
    • For painting: any scale will do but the most popular scales are 32mm for wargaming armies and 75mm busts for painting.