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How to measure wargaming miniatures properly
How to measure wargaming miniatures: measure from the sole of the foot to the bridge of the nose, level with the eyes. Then record the total body height and compare the figure’s build. Do not include the base, hat, plume or raised weapon.
Labels such as 15mm, 20mm and 28mm are starting points. Companies use different measuring conventions, body proportions and sculpting styles, so two ranges carrying the same label may still look different.
Battle Honours 3D standard
Some manufacturers publish a foot-to-eye measurement. That sits within the same reference area, but follow their exact stated method when checking their figures.
The three checks that matter
Anatomical height
Measure from the sole to the bridge of the nose. This removes most differences caused by headgear.
Total body height
Measure to the top of the bare head, or estimate the skull beneath the headgear. Keep the base out of the result.
Build and proportions
Compare shoulder width, head size, hand size and weapon thickness. Equal height does not always mean a good visual match.
Measure a figure in six steps
Choose a standing figure
Avoid kneeling, leaning, running or unusually tall headgear for the first check.
Use a flat surface
Keep the figure upright. Subtract the base thickness from any full-height reading.
Measure to the nose
Set one calliper jaw at the sole and the other at the bridge of the nose, level with the eyes.
Record body height
Measure to the top of the bare head as a secondary reference.
Repeat the check
Measure three to five ordinary infantry figures and calculate the average.
Compare the sculpt
Check heads, hands, shoulders, equipment and weapons beside the range you already own.
Millimetre labels, ratio scales and sculpting style
Millimetre labels
“28mm” may mean sole to eye, sole to head, or the general product category. Some 28mm figures are around 30mm to 32mm overall.
Ratio scales
1:56 means 1mm on the model represents 56mm in real life. Ratios work cleanly for vehicles and buildings, while human height varies.
Sculpting style
Heroic figures often use larger heads, hands and weapons. True-scale figures use slimmer, more natural proportions.
Convert a measured figure into an approximate ratio
This guide uses a reference adult measurement of 1,610mm at eye level. It is a consistent comparison point, not a claim that every historical person was the same height.
Example: a figure measuring 28mm from the sole to the bridge of the nose gives 1,610 ÷ 28 = 57.5, so it is approximately 1:58. It may still be sold as 28mm and paired with 1:56 scenery.
| Measured anatomical height | Approximate ratio | Common comparison |
|---|---|---|
| 6mm | 1:268 | 6mm ranges vary, so measure a sample. |
| 6.5mm | 1:248 | Baccus publishes about 6.5mm from base level to eye. |
| 10mm | 1:161 | Often sold alongside 1:150 products. |
| 11.2mm | 1:144 | Exact 1:144 reference using this method. |
| 13.5mm | 1:119 | Published eye-height figure for Warlord Epic Black Powder. |
| 15mm | 1:107 | Often paired with 1:100, but not mathematically identical. |
| 16.1mm | 1:100 | Exact 1:100 reference using this method. |
| 18mm | 1:89 | Close to 1:87 and used by AB Figures. |
| 20mm | 1:81 | Often associated with 1:76 or 1:72. |
| 22.4mm | 1:72 | Exact 1:72 reference using this method. |
| 25mm | 1:64 | Traditional 25mm label. |
| 28mm | 1:58 | Commonly paired with 1:56. |
| 28.8mm | 1:56 | Exact 1:56 reference using this method. |
| 33.5mm | 1:48 | Exact 1:48 reference using this method. |
| 40.3mm | 1:40 | Exact 1:40 reference using this method. |
| 50.3mm | 1:32 | Exact 1:32 reference using this method. |
What other miniature companies call their scales
These are the manufacturers’ published labels, not guaranteed measurements for every sculpt in their catalogues. Older releases and separate periods may use a different house style.
| Company or range | Published label | What to compare |
|---|---|---|
| Baccus | 6mm | Baccus states about 6.5mm from base level to eye. At this size, even 0.5mm matters. |
| Pendraken | 10mm / 1:150 | Measure a standing infantry sample rather than relying on the paired labels alone. |
| Victrix small-scale ranges | 12mm / 1:144 | Compare anatomical height and base thickness before mixing ranges. |
| Warlord Epic Black Powder | 15mm overall / 13.5mm to eye | Use the published 13.5mm eye measurement as the main reference. |
| Old Glory 15s | 15mm / about 1:100 | The company describes its scale labels as approximate, so measure several figures. |
| AB Figures | 18mm | AB is sold as 18mm, although it may appear in broader “15mm” discussions. |
| Perry Miniatures | 28mm | Perry figures are sold as 28mm, with many buildings and accessories described as 1:56. |
| Warlord Bolt Action | 28mm / 1:56 | Use the anatomical figure measurement for troops and 1:56 for vehicles and buildings. |
| Victrix 28mm ranges | 28mm / 1:56 | Check height, head size and weapon thickness against your existing figures. |
| Wargames Atlantic | 28mm to eye | The company states that newer standing figures are around 30mm to 31mm overall. |
Published labels checked on 27 July 2026. Check the current product page and a physical sample before buying a large army.
Will two ranges look right together?
Check scale from a photograph
Set up the photograph
Stand the figure beside a metric ruler on the same flat surface. Put the zero mark level with the sole, not the bottom of the base.
Hold the camera level with the figure and move back slightly to reduce wide-angle distortion.
Send a useful comparison
Take one straight-on photograph with the ruler and another beside a figure you already use. Keep both figures the same distance from the camera.
Include the company, range, base thickness, anatomical height and total body height.
Calculate a custom resize percentage
Example: to reduce a 28mm anatomical measurement to 25mm, calculate 25 ÷ 28 × 100 = 89.3%.
Battle Honours 3D can amend an order’s scale when you request the change within 48 hours. Give us the target sole-to-bridge-of-nose measurement rather than only saying “make it match 28mm”.
Miniature scale questions
What does 28mm actually mean?
There is no single hobby-wide rule. It may describe sole to eye, sole to head, or the general size category. Check the manufacturer’s wording and measure a physical figure.
Should I measure to the bridge of the nose or top of the head?
Battle Honours 3D measures from the sole to the bridge of the nose, level with the eyes. Record bare-head height as a secondary check.
Does the base count?
No. Start at the sole of the foot. Subtract the base thickness or align the ruler’s zero mark with the sole.
Is 28mm exactly the same as 1:56?
No. Using the 1,610mm reference, exact 1:56 is about 28.8mm. The labels are commonly paired, but the physical figure can vary.
Why can two 28mm ranges look different?
They may use different measuring points, body proportions and sculpting styles. Compare height, heads, hands, shoulders, weapons and equipment.
What scale should I use for vehicles and buildings?
Use the ratio scale where it is available. A 1:56 vehicle has a defined mathematical relationship to the real vehicle, while a 28mm figure label can be interpreted in several ways.
Shop Battle Honours 3D by scale
Start with the nearest listed scale. For a close match, measure your existing figure and send us its sole-to-bridge-of-nose height.