The complete guide to miniature size and miniature scale
Zombie figures of different miniature scales and miniature proportions
Updated: 2022.07.29
This article is a definitive guide to miniature scale (model scale) and miniature proportions. I try to explain things like relative scale, absolute scale, realistic proportions, heroic scale, 28mm miniatures.
Many beginners and even some veteran miniature collectors are confused when it comes to the topic of miniature scales. Knowing the modeling scale and proportions of a miniature figure before buying is important if you have an established collection you'd like to expand. Determining miniature size and model scale is often hard, as even the producing companies use confusing scale references. The miniature proportions also mix up the differences between miniatures of the same modeling scale.
While browsing through websites of companies that produce miniatures I often run into articles that are either trying to explain miniature scales the wrong way or complain that their customers demand to know what scale and size their products are, and don't understand why would they like to know a properly determined scale.
In the Comparison image gallery, I've gathered comparison photos of miniature models from various ranges and companies, so you can check their size and proportions, compared to other models. You can find a lot more comparison photos in the Miniature Database articles about the respective models you'd like to see.
Contents:
How are miniature scales calculated?
How do you determine miniature scale?
What are the scale sizes for models?
Some of the most popular model train gauges
Matching the scales of miniature figures and miniature scenery
Vehicle sizes and miniatures with bases
Miniature size & modeling scales - Resources
Read more: The complete guide to understand miniature size and miniature scale
Write comment (15 Comments)
 image © Games Workshopsculpt © Games Workshop painting © Games Workshop |
Miniature figure: King Brodd Product name: King Brodd, Product code: set: ?, Kit: Mega-Gargant (AoS) kit, Sprue: 1x Mega-Gargant sprue #1, 1x Mega-Gargant sprue #2, 1x Mega-Gargant (AoS) sprue #3, 1x Mega-Gargant (AoS) sprue #4, 1x Mega-Gargant (AoS) sprue #5?, Range: Warhammer: Age of Sigmar range (Warhammer range) - Sons of Behemat - Mega-Gargant, Setting: Mortal Realms (Warhammer: Age of Sigmar), Series: ?, Company: Games Workshop company, Production: pre-order: ?, release: ? Size: Ultra Giant (S8), Species: Mega-Gargant (Humanoid), Gender: male, Technology: Fantasy / Medieval (Archaic), Role: Warrior, Features: wears furry mantlet, Armour: light armour (armour) / unarmoured, no shield, Helmet: helmet, Equipment in hand: R+L: two-handed war mallet / two-handed club / two-handed mace (weapon - melee weapon - two-handed melee weapon - two-handed mallet), L: armoured gauntlet, Equipment carried: human-sized shield, sword, Based on: ? Scale: 1:56 (28mm / 32mm), Proportions: Realistic / Heroic scale, Size: ca. 190mm high, probably 250mm tall standing upright, Material: High Impact Polystyrene (HIPS) (plastic - Polystyrene), Priming: Primer is not necessary Set: Mega-Gargant (AoS 2022) set: will probably contain 1
Base set price (Mega-Gargant (AoS) set)(2020): 120 GBP / 150 EUR / 195 USD, Price per model: 120 GBP / 150 EUR / 195 USD |
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 image © Games Workshopsculpt © Games Workshop painting © Games Workshop |
Miniature figure: Gatebreaker Mega-Gargant Product name: Gatebreaker Mega-Gargant, Product code: set: GW-99120299062, Kit: Mega-Gargant (AoS) kit, Sprue: 1x Mega-Gargant sprue #1, 1x Mega-Gargant sprue #2, 1x Mega-Gargant (AoS) sprue #3, 1x Mega-Gargant (AoS) sprue #4, Range: Warhammer: Age of Sigmar range (Warhammer range) - Sons of Behemat - Mega-Gargant, Setting: Mortal Realms (Warhammer: Age of Sigmar), Series: ?, Company: Games Workshop company, Production: pre-order: 2020.10.10-16, release: 2020.10.17- Size: Ultra Giant (S8), Species: Mega-Gargant (Humanoid), Gender: male, Technology: Fantasy / Medieval (Archaic), Role: Warrior, Features: -, Armour: light armour (armour) / unarmoured, no shield, Helmet: no helmet, Equipment in hand: R: gripping humans, L: wrecking ball / club / mace (Weapon - melee weapon - one-handed melee weapon), Equipment carried: bell, porticullis, Based on: ? Scale: 1:56 (28mm / 32mm), Proportions: Realistic / Heroic scale, Size: ca. 190mm high, probably 250mm tall standing upright, Material: High Impact Polystyrene (HIPS) (plastic - Polystyrene), Priming: Primer is not necessary Set: Mega-Gargant (AoS) set: contains 1
Base set price (Mega-Gargant (AoS) set)(2020): 120 GBP / 150 EUR / 195 USD, Price per model: 120 GBP / 150 EUR / 195 USD |
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 image © Games Workshopsculpt © Games Workshop painting © Games Workshop |
Miniature figure: Kraken-eater Mega-Gargant Product name: Kraken-eater Mega-Gargant, Product code: set: GW-99120299062, Kit: Mega-Gargant (AoS) kit, Sprue: 1x Mega-Gargant sprue #1, 1x Mega-Gargant sprue #2, 1x Mega-Gargant (AoS) sprue #3, 1x Mega-Gargant (AoS) sprue #4, Range: Warhammer: Age of Sigmar range (Warhammer range) - Sons of Behemat - Mega-Gargant, Setting: Mortal Realms (Warhammer: Age of Sigmar), Series: ?, Company: Games Workshop company, Production: pre-order: 2020.10.10-16, release: 2020.10.17- Size: Ultra Giant (S8), Species: Mega-Gargant (Humanoid), Gender: male, Technology: Fantasy / Medieval (Archaic), Role: Warrior, Features: wears sandals, lower jaw necklace, Armour: light armour (armour) / unarmoured, no shield, Helmet: no helmet, Equipment in hand: R: net, L: club (weapon - melee weapon - one-handed melee weapon), Equipment carried: jar, tentacle, Based on: ? Scale: 1:56 (28mm / 32mm), Proportions: Realistic / Heroic scale, Size: ca. 190mm high, probably 250mm tall standing upright, Material: High Impact Polystyrene (HIPS) (plastic - Polystyrene), Priming: Primer is not necessary Set: Mega-Gargant (AoS) set: contains 1
Base set price (Mega-Gargant (AoS) set)(2020): 120 GBP / 150 EUR / 195 USD, Price per model: 120 GBP / 150 EUR / 195 USD |
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 image © Games Workshopsculpt © Games Workshop painting © Games Workshop |
Miniature figure: Warstomper Mega-Gargant Product name: Warstomper Mega-Gargant, Product code: set: GW-99120299062, Kit: Mega-Gargant (AoS) kit, Sprue: 1x Mega-Gargant sprue #1, 1x Mega-Gargant sprue #2, 1x Mega-Gargant (AoS) sprue #3, 1x Mega-Gargant (AoS) sprue #4, Range: Warhammer: Age of Sigmar range (Warhammer range) - Sons of Behemat - Mega-Gargant, Setting: Mortal Realms (Warhammer: Age of Sigmar), Series: ?, Company: Games Workshop company, Production: pre-order: 2020.10.10-16, release: 2020.10.17- Size: Ultra Giant (S8), Species: Mega-Gargant (Humanoid), Gender: male, Technology: Fantasy / Medieval (Archaic), Role: Warrior, Features: wears furry mantlet, Armour: light armour (armour) / unarmoured, no shield, Helmet: no helmet, Equipment in hand: R: club (weapon - melee weapon - one-handed melee weapon), L: armoured gauntlet, Equipment carried: human-sized shield, sword, Based on: ? Scale: 1:56 (28mm / 32mm), Proportions: Realistic / Heroic scale, Size: ca. 190mm high, probably 250mm tall standing upright, Material: High Impact Polystyrene (HIPS) (plastic - Polystyrene), Priming: Primer is not necessary Set: Mega-Gargant (AoS) set: contains 1
Base set price (Mega-Gargant (AoS) set)(2020): 120 GBP / 150 EUR / 195 USD, Price per model: 120 GBP / 150 EUR / 195 USD |
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Miniature modeling - Resources
Article updated: 2022.08.27
Miniature games often require special minis that you can't buy out of the shop. This is when you need to do your own miniature modelling to get exactly what you imagined. I've gathered the resources you might need to get miniature models that fit your own ideas.
Read more: Miniature modeling - Resources
Write comment (2 Comments) image © Mark Dixon (Artwho9)sculpt © Hasslefree Miniatures painting © Mark Dixon (Artwho9) |
Miniature figure: Signee Product name: Signee, ex: HFA016 Signee, Product code: HFSF001, Kit: -, Sprue: ?, Range: (Futuristic), Setting: Alien & Predator universe, Company: Hasslefree Miniatures company, Production: ?-2011-2022- Size: Human-sized (S3), Species: Human (Humanoid), Gender: female (Human female), Technology: Futuristic (Advanced), Role: Warrior, Features: -, Armour: unarmoured, no shield, Helmet: no helmet, Equipment in hand: R+L: assault rifle (weapon - ranged weapon - firearm - medium-sized firearm)(Aliens: M41A Pulse Rifle likeness), Equipment carried: -, Based on: Aliens & Predator likeness: Ellen Ripley likeness (Sigourney Weaver likeness) Scale: probably 1:56 (28mm / 32mm), Proportions: Realistic, Size: 31mm high, 32mm tall, Material: Metal, Priming: Primer is necessary Set: HFSF001 Signee set: contains 1 Base price (HFSF001 Signee)(2011-2022): 3.75+VAT GBP / EUR / USD, Price/model: 3.75+VAT GBP / EUR / USD |
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 image © CIP Gamesmodified by Kadmon sculpt © CIP Games |
Miniature spaceship: Neozylthy Product name: Neozylthy, Product code: ?, Kit: -, Sprue: -, Range: Nebulosa range (Futuristic), Setting: Nebulosa, Company: CIP Games company, Production: 2015-2016? (out of production) Size: Small (S2), Type: Alien spaceship (Neozylthy) Scale: ?, Proportions: Realistic, Size: 37mm long, 15mm high, 37mm wingspan, Material: Polylactic Acid Biopolymer (PLA) (yellow), Priming: Primer is necessary Features: Embedded magnet to attach the miniature to flying base Set: Nebulosa board game base set: contains 1+ Base set price: ? EUR, Price/model: ? |
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Read our full review of the Neozylthy miniature spaceship for Nebulosa from CIP Games |
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Subcategories
Miniature hobby
Articles about miniatures and miniature games.
Miniature related services
Modelling and miniatures related commission services
Miniature painting commission services: If you don't like to paint, don't have the time or don't have the patience, there are others who can paint the miniatures of your collection.
Miniature assembly commission services: If you find it difficult to put models together, they can assemble and glue your miniatures for you.
Miniature sculpting commission services: When you really need a specific miniature, but you can't find it on the market, you can commission a sculptor to create it for you.
Miniature casting services: Do you have an own sculpt you'd like to have some copies of? You can cast as many as you want if you pay for casting services.
Miniature terrain making commission services: If you like realistic scenery but don't have time or patience to do it yourself, there are terrain makers to help you out.
Other miniature related commission services: There are some miniatures related services (conversions, basing, paint removal), I couldn't list anywhere else yet, so I list them here.
Second hand miniature trading services: They are for those who have miniatures or scenery that they don't need anymore or for those would you like to collect miniatures on a budget.
Miniature bits trading services: They offer small parts and bits for miniature modellers.
