Heroic scales vs true scales
Wargaming and tabletop miniatures are named by figure height, not ratio. A "28 mm" miniature measures 28 mm from the feet to the eyes of a person about 1.8 m tall, so the ratio is 1800 ÷ 28 ≈ 1:64.
| Figure scale | Ratio | 2 m door prints at |
|---|---|---|
| 28 mm | ≈ 1:64 | 31 mm |
| 32 mm | ≈ 1:56 | 36 mm |
| 54 mm | ≈ 1:33 | 60 mm |
| 75 mm | 1:24 | 83 mm |
Model railways use true ratios: HO 1:87, OO 1:76, N 1:160. Military and car kits often use 1:35, 1:24 or 1:43.
Frequently asked questions
What scale is 28mm?
About 1:64 for a 1.8 m person measured to the eyes (some brands treat 28 mm as 1:56).
How big is a 5-foot square in D&D terrain?
One inch (25.4 mm) on the standard battle grid used with 28–32 mm miniatures.