In brief
40mm miniatures occupy an interesting position in historical wargaming. Larger than the common 28mm figure, yet smaller than traditional 54mm toy soldiers, this scale offers painters and collectors more detail while keeping terrain and tables manageable. This article explains where 40mm fits within miniature scale standards and why it continues to attract attention among hobbyists.
40mm miniatures give you more room to paint faces, uniforms and equipment than their 28 mm equivalents, while keeping figures and scenery smaller than a comparable 54 mm collection. For a historical skirmish force, an artillery position or a cabinet display, that extra painting space can make 40 mm a rewarding choice.
At Battle Honours 3D, you can order historical figures and buildings in 40 mm from the same catalogue. Our stated measurement method gives you a clear starting point for choosing models, planning terrain and comparing your existing collection.
What our 40 mm measurement means
We measure a standing figure from the bottom of the foot to the bridge of the nose. The base and anything above that point, including the top of the head, helmet or plume, are outside the stated measurement.
Using our full-size reference measurement of 1,610 mm, a 40 mm figure works out at approximately 1:40 scale.
The 1,610 mm reference represents the foot-to-nose measurement used for this calculation, rather than a person’s total height. A standing 40 mm figure will be taller when measured to the top of its head or headgear. A crouching figure’s pose reduces its upright height without changing its scale.
How 28 mm, 40 mm and 54 mm compare
When the same sculpt is scaled proportionally and measured between the same points, 40 mm is about 43 per cent taller than 28 mm. A 54 mm version is another 35 per cent taller than the 40 mm version.
| Figure measurement | Approximate scale | Practical difference |
|---|---|---|
| 28 mm | 1:58 | Smaller figures and scenery leave more room for larger forces. |
| 40 mm | 1:40 | More painting space, with smaller scenery than the equivalent 54 mm project. |
| 54 mm | 1:30 | Larger individual figures, with more space needed for equivalent formations and buildings. |
These ratios follow our reference measurement. They are not universal definitions of every manufacturer’s size labels.
The difference is easy to appreciate on a Napoleonic gun crew. At 40 mm, a cheek, cuff, crossbelt or hand has a larger surface than on the same model at 28 mm. You have more room to separate fingers from equipment, shade around the nose and pick out uniform piping. Scaling up does not add new sculpted detail, but it makes existing detail larger and easier to work on.
There is a space trade-off. Enlarge the same model from 28 mm to 40 mm in every direction and its footprint roughly doubles. Compared with a proportionally identical 54 mm model, the 40 mm version occupies about 55 per cent of the footprint. Actual gaming space still depends on bases, poses and the layout you choose.
Bases, buildings and the space between them
Choose bases around your rules and the actual figures. The 40 mm label does not prescribe a particular base size.
For individually based infantry, test a figure on a 30 mm or 40 mm base if your rules allow either. Check that its stance fits, that projecting weapons have clearance and that neighbouring figures can stand together. Cavalry and artillery need separate checks: a gun’s wheels, trail and working crew determine the space required.
For formed units, work out the frontage before buying an army. Eight figures in one rank on 30 mm-wide bases occupy 240 mm; on 40 mm-wide bases, they occupy 320 mm. Those are planning examples, not compulsory basing standards.
Terrain needs the same attention. At approximately 1:40, these full-size dimensions become approximately:
| Full-size measurement | Model measurement |
|---|---|
| 2 m doorway height | 50 mm |
| 3 m storey height | 75 mm |
| 1.2 m wall height | 30 mm |
Use these as checks when buying or building scenery. Doorways, windows and wall heights are useful reference points beside a figure. Also allow for the extra height added by its gaming base.
A building can look convincing externally yet have too little usable floor space for your bases. Check internal access, removable roofs and room dimensions if your rules place troops inside buildings.
Before committing to a layout, mark out the buildings and unit bases on your table with paper. Leave room for troops to pass along roads, turn corners and deploy around a gun. On a 120 × 180 cm table, measure what remains after the village or fortifications are in place. Keep movement and weapon ranges consistent with your chosen rules; larger figures do not automatically require every distance to increase.
An established size with several makers
Other manufacturers actively support 40 mm historical miniatures:
- Perry Miniatures has Peninsular War and Border Reiver ranges.
- Steve Barber Models covers subjects including Aztecs, Conquistadores, Samurai, Vikings, the Seven Years War, Napoleonic characters and the American Civil War.
- Sash and Saber Castings produces 40 mm military figures in white metal, supplied unpainted.
These active catalogues show that 40 mm has support across several manufacturers and historical subjects. They give you options when planning a collection, although compatibility needs checking separately.
Check measurements before mixing ranges
Two figures labelled “40 mm” can differ in height, build and sculpting style. Ask which points the manufacturer measures between, then compare the same points on the actual models. Foot-to-eye and foot-to-nose measurements should be identified clearly rather than treated as automatically interchangeable.
For a useful comparison, choose reasonably upright figures and exclude the bases. Check head and shoulder height, body width, hands and weapons as well as the stated measurement. Then place the figures together on the bases you intend to use.
Matching heights are a starting point. A figure with a broader torso or larger head can still look different beside a slimmer sculpt. Small variations may work well in a dispersed skirmish group, while a tightly ranked unit makes differences in proportions easier to notice.
Building your 40 mm collection with Battle Honours 3D
Battle Honours 3D brings detailed printed figures and scenery together, with 40 mm options across different projects. You can choose the people, equipment and setting from one catalogue, using our consistent figure measurement as the basis for your collection.
For a manageable first project, our French foot-artillery loading crew in bicornes and trousers includes four crew figures and a gun. The 40 mm option gives you a small group on which to paint faces, uniform distinctions and equipment, then arrange the crew around a working gun position.
For a larger terrain project, the Russian Village contains four houses and two barns, with a church option. Available in 40 mm, it gives an 1812 campaign table a group of buildings around which to plan roads, defended positions and objectives.
Our Medieval Turreted Tower House and Walls also has a 40 mm option. The tower house and separate wall sections let you plan a fortified compound for a raid or siege scenario, adjusting the arrangement to your table.
The artillery figures are resin prints; these buildings at 40 mm are printed in filament using FDM. They are supplied unpainted, so you can choose the uniforms, weathering and basing that suit your project.
Start with the crew, unit or building you most want to paint. Select its 40 mm option, check the space it needs, and build the rest of your Battle Honours 3D collection around it.