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The complete guide to miniature size and miniature scale
The complete guide to miniature size and miniature scale
Zombie figures of different miniature scales and miniature proportionsUpdated: 2022.11.24
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