Miniature scale conversion chart: figure heights and resizing

At Battle Honours 3D, we can adjust the scale of our figures and scenery to match the measurements your collection needs. You can mix subjects from our catalogue and have different models resized individually to suit the figures, vehicles or buildings you already own. If a standard size is slightly too large or too small, send us your target ratio or measurements and we can work to those, including sizes between our listed options.

Use this miniature scale conversion chart to turn a measured figure height into an approximate ratio, calculate a model’s dimensions or work out a change of size.

The tables use our measuring method. For advice on choosing a size, painting space and mixing ranges, see our practical guide to miniature scales.

Start with the right measurement

We measure a standing figure from the sole of the foot to the bridge of the nose, level with the eyes. The base is excluded.

Using these fixed anatomical points gives us consistent measurements regardless of hair or headgear. A tall shako or helmet plume does not change the size of the person underneath it.

Our conversion reference is 1,610 mm at eye level. It provides a common basis for our calculations; historical people varied in height.

Use an upright standing figure for comparison. A crouching or leaning pose cannot be checked simply by measuring its vertical height on the table. Our measuring guide explains the process.

Convert a measured figure height into a ratio

Approximate scale denominator = 1,610 ÷ measured height in millimetres.

For example, a figure measuring 40 mm from sole to bridge of nose gives approximately 1:40. Our 54 mm reference gives approximately 1:30, which is why we use that ratio for our 54 mm figures.

The ratio column applies only when the figure actually measures the stated height from sole to bridge of nose. The final column gives examples sold under that millimetre label or practical comparisons between sizes. It does not assign our calculated ratio to those manufacturers or confirm that their figures match ours.

Height used in our calculation	Approximate ratio	Manufacturer examples and comparison notes
2 mm	1:805	Irregular 2 mm & 6 mm: troop blocks and historical formations.
6 mm	1:268	Baccus; Heroics & Ros, which also labels its range 1:300; GHQ, which pairs 6 mm with 1:285.
10 mm	1:161	Pendraken: historical figures; GHQ: Napoleonic and American Civil War ranges.
12 mm	1:134	Victrix: Second World War models labelled 12 mm/1:144.
15 mm	1:107	Essex Miniatures: historical ranges; AB Figures: American Civil War.
18 mm	1:89	AB Figures: Napoleonics and Ancients.
20 mm	1:81	AB Figures: First and Second World War ranges.
25 mm	1:64	Moving from a measured 25 mm figure to 28 mm adds 12% to its height.
28 mm	1:58	Perry Miniatures: British Light Dragoons; Victrix and Essex Miniatures: historical ranges.
30 mm	1:54	Measure a sample: a “large 28 mm” label does not establish a height of 30 mm.
40 mm	1:40	Perry Miniatures: Peninsular War and Border Reivers; Steve Barber Models and Sash and Saber: historical figures.
42 mm	1:38	A measured 42 mm figure is 5% taller than a measured 40 mm figure.
54 mm	1:30	Victrix: Napoleonic figures.
75 mm	1:21	First Legion: historical figure kits; Mitches Military Models: display figures.
90 mm	1:18	First Legion: metal figure kits.
120 mm	1:13	Mitches Military Models: historical resin figure kits.

The ratios are rounded to whole numbers. A company’s millimetre label may refer to eye height, bare-head height or a general size category, so establish its measuring point before applying the formula.

Baccus’s FAQ, for example, describes its 6 mm figures as approximately 6.5 mm from base to eye level. Victrix uses 12 mm/1:144 together. Those published descriptions explain why a catalogue label cannot simply be substituted for a measured height.

Small differences can be visible. A 0.5 mm change is about 8% of a 6 mm figure’s height. A measured 18 mm figure is 20% taller than a measured 15 mm figure, while moving from 40 mm to 42 mm adds 5%. Compare samples before combining ranges.

Convert a ratio into a reference figure height

Reference figure height in millimetres = 1,610 ÷ scale denominator.

At 1:72, our standing reference is 22.4 mm from the sole of the foot to the bridge of the nose. At 1:100, it is 16.1 mm using the same measuring points.

The manufacturer examples below identify models sold at the stated ratio. The height column remains our calculation for a reference person; it is not the measured height of a manufacturer's figure or the height of the vehicle, aircraft or building listed.

Ratio scale	Our approximate sole-to-bridge-of-nose height	Range examples and sizing notes
1:300	5.4 mm	Heroics & Ros: military models labelled 6 mm/1:300.
1:285	5.6 mm	GHQ: Micro Armour.
1:200	8.1 mm	Warlord Games: Blood Red Skies aircraft.
1:160	10.1 mm	GHQ: Micro Force and N-scale railway models.
1:148	10.9 mm	Graham Farish: British N-scale railways.
1:144	11.2 mm	Victrix: Second World War range; Airfix: airliners.
1:100	16.1 mm	Tamiya: Combat Plane Series.
1:87	18.5 mm	GHQ: HO-scale railway accessories and road vehicles.
1:76	21.2 mm	Airfix: its 1:76 collection.
1:72	22.4 mm	Airfix and Tamiya: aircraft kits.
1:64	25.2 mm	MINI GT: model cars.
1:56	28.8 mm	Warlord Games: Bolt Action military vehicles, including the M18 Hellcat.
1:48	33.5 mm	Tamiya: military vehicles and figures; Airfix: aircraft kits.
1:40	40.3 mm	A figure measuring 40 mm from sole to bridge of nose is approximately this ratio.
1:35	46 mm	Tamiya: military vehicles and figures; First Legion: resin figure kits.
1:32	50.3 mm	Tamiya: aircraft kits.
1:30	53.7 mm	King & Country, First Legion and W. Britain’s 1:30 figures.
1:24	67.1 mm	Airfix: aircraft kits; Tamiya: cars.
1:16	100.6 mm	Tamiya: tanks and figure kits.
1:9	178.9 mm	Italeri: motorcycles, including its German military motorcycle and sidecar.

Calculated heights are rounded to one decimal place where needed. They represent our reference adult at each ratio, so individual subjects and poses can differ. The named manufacturers are examples of scale labels in use; inclusion does not imply an association with Battle Honours 3D or a measured compatibility claim.

Keep the distinction between measured sizes and ratios when ordering. Our 20 mm and 1:72 references differ by 2.4 mm. Our 15 mm and 1:100 references differ by 1.1 mm.

Compare proportions before combining ranges

Two figures can have the same anatomical height and still look different together. Compare their shoulder width, head size, hands and equipment.

A heroic sculpt may use enlarged hands or heavier weapons. Our true-scale approach aims for natural proportions. Uniform resizing changes the whole figure together; it cannot reduce the head independently of the body.

For a useful comparison, stand several figures with the soles of their feet at the same level. Check the bases separately, since a thicker base can make a figure appear taller on the table. For 28 mm collections, our guide to true-scale and heroic proportions explains the differences.

Calculate the size of a vehicle or building

For a vehicle, doorway, wall or other measured object, use its actual dimensions:

Model measurement = original measurement ÷ scale denominator.

If a doorway is 2,000 mm high, its model height would be approximately 28 mm at 1:72, 36 mm at 1:56 or 67 mm at 1:30. These are calculations for that particular doorway, not standard doorway sizes.

The same formula applies to ships and other large subjects. A hypothetical 200-metre ship would measure approximately 67 mm at 1:3000 and 83 mm at 1:2400.

A smaller denominator produces a larger model of the same subject. A 1:2400 ship is therefore larger than its 1:3000 equivalent.

Work out an enlargement or reduction

Use one calculation when you know the two ratios, and another when you are matching measured figure heights.

For a change between ratios:

New size percentage = original scale denominator ÷ target scale denominator × 100.

For example, changing a model from 1:100 to 1:72 requires approximately 139% of its original size. That means an increase of about 39%.

Original ratio	Target ratio	New size as a percentage of the original
1:100	1:72	139%
1:76	1:72	106%
1:72	1:76	95%
1:72	1:56	129%
1:56	1:72	78%
1:35	1:32	109%
1:32	1:30	107%
1:3000	1:2400	125%

These percentages are rounded for quick reference. A value below 100% reduces the model; a value above 100% enlarges it.

For a change between measured figure heights:

New size percentage = target height ÷ current height × 100.

To reduce a figure from 28 mm to 25 mm at the same anatomical measuring points, use approximately 89% of its original size. To increase a measured 20 mm figure to our 22.4 mm reference, use 112%.

Use the actual ratios or measurements for a production calculation, rather than converting through the rounded ratios in the first table. When ordering from us, give us the target scale or measured height you need.

Resizing also changes the size of joints and small parts.

Allow for the space a larger model needs

Changing a model from 28 mm to 40 mm makes it approximately 43% taller, wider and longer when every dimension is scaled equally. Faces, hands and uniform details become larger, giving you more room to paint them. Moving from 54 mm to 75 mm adds approximately 39% to each dimension.

A hypothetical building with a 100 × 100 mm footprint would become approximately 143 × 143 mm. Its footprint would take up just over twice the area. That affects the width of streets, the spacing between buildings and how much scenery fits in storage.

Basing needs a separate check. Six figures side by side on 20 mm-wide bases occupy 120 mm of frontage; on 25 mm-wide bases, they occupy 150 mm.

Use your rules’ required frontages and distances when planning a force. A change in model size does not automatically require the same percentage change in movement or weapon ranges.

Use the chart when ordering from Battle Honours 3D

We use the same anatomical reference across our figure scales, and our catalogue brings together Napoleonic, American Civil War and Second World War figures, artillery and scenery. You can choose the subjects for a force or scene with scale options stated on each product page.

Our Mediterranean gatehouse, for example, has separate 20 mm, 1:76 and 1:72 options, alongside sizes including 28 mm, 40 mm and 54 mm. In its 28 mm option, the listed dimensions are approximately 65 × 98 × 79 mm. Use those measurements to plan the surrounding walls and road, and check the gateway opening separately if vehicles must pass through it.

For an existing collection, send us a standing figure’s sole-to-bridge-of-nose measurement, its manufacturer and range if known, and a clear photograph beside a metric ruler. Compare body proportions as well as height before committing to a full unit.

We give you a 48-hour window after placing your order to request scale adjustments, so you have time to check your measurements and get the right size for your collection. Contact us within that window with your order number and the measurement you need.