What’s the Real Difference And Which Should You Choose?
The phrase “28mm miniature” sounds straightforward.
It isn’t.
Over the past three decades, 28mm has split into two distinct sculpting philosophies that share the same label but produce noticeably different physical results:
True Scale 28mm
Heroic Scale 28mm
Both are marketed as 28mm.
Both are widely used.
Both have loyal audiences.
But they are not physically identical. They are not proportionally aligned. And they do not mix seamlessly.
If you have ever placed two “28mm” armies side by side and wondered why something feels off, this is why.
To understand the difference properly, we need to start with mathematics.
The Mathematical Anchor of 28mm
Using the established eye-height conversion constant of 1610mm, we can convert millimeter scale into proportional ratio.
1610 ÷ 28 = 57.5
That places true 28mm at roughly 1/58 scale when measured to eye level.
This matters because 28mm was never a clean modelling ratio like 1/72 or 1/100. It developed primarily through tabletop gaming. As sculpting philosophies evolved, the interpretation of “28mm” shifted.
True scale 28mm follows the anatomical 28mm eye-height logic.
Heroic scale often stretches it.
The label stayed the same.
The proportions changed.
What True Scale 28mm Actually Means
True scale 28mm refers to figures that measure approximately 28mm from base of foot to eye level and maintain anatomically realistic human proportions.
That means:
Head size remains proportionate to body height.
Hands are realistically scaled.
Weapons match historical thickness.
Limbs reflect natural musculature rather than exaggerated bulk.
True scale aims to replicate a human being in miniature without stylistic inflation.
When measured properly (base of foot to bridge of nose) a true scale 28mm miniature should sit at roughly 28mm.
The silhouette is balanced. The equipment feels credible. The figure reads as a scaled-down human rather than a stylized character.
What Heroic Scale 28mm Actually Is
Heroic scale 28mm takes a different approach.
The height may be labelled 28mm, but the sculpt often measures closer to 29–30mm to eye level and 30–32mm to the top of the head. In some modern ranges, even more.
But height is only part of the story.
Heroic scale exaggerates proportion deliberately.
Heads are often 5–15% larger than anatomical ratio.
Hands are thickened.
Rifle barrels are chunkier.
Shoulders are broader.
Limbs are heavier.
These changes are intentional.
They improve tabletop readability. They make facial detail easier to paint. They increase durability in casting. They create a dramatic, cinematic aesthetic.
But they are no longer strictly 1/58 proportional representations of a human being.
They are stylized interpretations.
Height vs Proportion — The Critical Distinction
One of the biggest misunderstandings in this debate is the assumption that heroic scale is simply “taller.”
It is not just taller.
It is proportionally inflated.
Two figures may measure very close in height. Yet one will look dramatically bulkier because:
The head occupies more visual space.
The hands dominate the silhouette.
The weapons are thicker.
The torso is broader.
True scale figures often look slimmer, even when they measure the same height to eye level.
That visual difference is proportion, not height.
And proportion is what makes mixing ranges difficult.
Why Heroic Scale Became Dominant
Heroic scale did not appear randomly.
It evolved for practical reasons.
Fantasy and sci-fi gaming exploded in popularity during the 1990s and early 2000s. Players needed figures that were durable, visually bold, and readable from arm’s length.
Exaggerated hands made weapons less fragile. Larger heads made facial features easier to paint. Broader limbs reduced breakage.
At 28mm, these changes improved the gaming experience.
But in historical war gaming, proportion accuracy carries more weight. A musket that looks oversized. A bayonet that appears thick. A cavalry rider with exaggerated hands.
For collectors seeking realism, those distortions stand out.
What Happens When You Mix True and Heroic
This is where the issue becomes practical rather than theoretical.
Place a true scale 28mm infantryman beside a heroic 28mm infantryman and look at shoulder height. Look at head size. Look at weapon thickness.
Even if the heights are close, the visual mismatch is obvious.
Rank a mixed unit together and you will see staggered helmets, inconsistent shoulder lines, and weapons that vary in thickness.
In isolation, each figure may look fine.
Together, they break visual cohesion.
This is why experienced hobbyists often commit to one sculpting philosophy and avoid mixing the two.
The Scale Drift Problem
Over the past twenty years, many 28mm ranges gradually increased in size.
Early 28mm figures were often slim and close to 28mm eye height.
Modern releases frequently measure 29–30mm to eye level and 30–32mm overall.
The label did not change.
The physical size did.
This is scale drift.
True scale philosophy aims to resist that inflation and anchor figures to consistent anatomical measurement rather than market expectation.
Which Should You Choose?
There is no moral argument here. There is only clarity.
Choose true scale 28mm if you value:
Historical realism.
Accurate weapon proportions.
Clean formation lines.
Anatomical correctness.
Cross-range compatibility within realism-focused ecosystems.
Choose heroic scale 28mm if you prefer:
Bold silhouettes.
Cinematic presence.
Fantasy aesthetics.
Chunky detail that reads easily at distance.
The key is understanding what you are buying.
The problem is not that heroic exists.
The problem is assuming all 28mm is identical.
How to Identify What You Own
If you want to determine which sculpting philosophy your collection follows, measure and observe.
Measure from base of foot to bridge of nose.
Record the anatomical height.
Then examine proportion:
Is the head oversized relative to torso?
Are the hands noticeably thick?
Are the rifle barrels exaggerated?
Are shoulders broad beyond anatomical realism?
Height alone is not enough. Proportion confirms the philosophy.
How Battle Honours 3D Approaches 28mm
Battle Honours 3D produces true scale 28mm miniatures.
We measure every figure base of foot to bridge of nose.
When we say 28mm, it is 28mm anatomically.
We maintain:
Accurate head-to-body ratio.
Realistic limb thickness.
Historically proportioned equipment.
No silent height inflation.
Modern high-resolution resin allows fine detail without exaggeration. There is no technical reason to inflate proportion for clarity.
This ensures internal consistency across our range and predictable compatibility for collectors who prioritise realism.
The Bottom Line
The term “28mm” no longer guarantees uniform size or proportion.
Two boxes labelled 28mm may contain figures that differ by several millimeters in height and significantly in body mass.
If you care about realism, formation alignment, and long-term consistency, you cannot rely on the label alone.
Measure anatomically.
Evaluate proportion.
Choose deliberately.
Battle Honours 3D anchors 28mm at true anatomical height and proportion, ensuring clarity, consistency and realistic scale integrity across our entire range.
Once you understand the difference, you will never look at “28mm” the same way again.
