Model Scale Guide: Sizes in cm & Inches

A model’s scale tells you how many times smaller it is than the real thing. A 1:18 scale model is 18 times smaller than the real vehicle, so a 4.5 m car becomes a model of about 25 cm (9.8 inches). The bigger the number after the colon, the smaller the model.

Use the chart below for a quick answer. Further down you’ll find typical sizes for each popular scale, how to work out the exact size of any model, and approximate dimensions for cars, F1, trucks, buses, bikes, military vehicles, aircraft and more.

Size comparison of the same classic car model at 1:12, 1:18, 1:24, 1:32, 1:43 and 1:64 scale, with lengths in cm and inches
The same car at six popular scales, from a 38 cm 1:12 model down to a 7 cm 1:64 model.

Model Scale Chart

Sizes below are for a typical 4.5 m (177 in) family car. Real vehicles vary, so treat these as a guide.

ScaleSize of a 4.5 m carTypically used for
1:856.2 cm / 22.1 inLarge-scale collector cars, part-works
1:1045 cm / 17.7 inMotorbikes, RC cars
1:1237.5 cm / 14.8 inHigh-end resin & diecast cars, bikes
1:1825 cm / 9.8 inThe most popular collector car scale
1:2418.8 cm / 7.4 inPlastic kits, American diecast
1:3214.1 cm / 5.6 inFarm models, slot cars, kits
1:4310.5 cm / 4.1 inCollector cars, motorsport
1:509 cm / 3.5 inTrucks, buses, construction & plant
1:647 cm / 2.8 inMini GT, Hot Wheels-size collector cars
1:726.2 cm / 2.4 inMilitary aircraft & vehicles
1:765.9 cm / 2.3 inOO gauge railway, UK buses
1:875.2 cm / 2.0 inHO gauge railway
1:2002.2 cm / 0.9 inAirliners
1:4001.1 cm / 0.4 inAirliners

How Big Is Each Scale?

How big is a 1:8 scale model?

A 1:8 scale car is roughly 50–60 cm (20–24 in) long, which is a serious centrepiece model. Most real cars work out at 50–56 cm, and a modern F1 car at 1:8 is about 70 cm. Shop 1:8 scale models.

How big is a 1:10 scale model?

A 1:10 scale car is about 40–48 cm (16–19 in) long. A 1:10 motorbike is around 20–22 cm (8–9 in). Shop 1:10 scale models.

How big is a 1:12 scale model?

A 1:12 scale car is about 33–40 cm (13–16 in) long, and a 1:12 motorbike about 17–18 cm (7 in). At this size you get opening panels and very fine interior detail. Shop 1:12 scale models.

How big is a 1:18 scale model?

A 1:18 scale car is typically 22–27 cm (9–11 in) long. A Mini comes in at about 17 cm, a large SUV or saloon at about 28 cm, and a modern F1 car at about 31 cm. Shop 1:18 scale models.

How big is a 1:24 scale model?

A 1:24 scale car is about 17–20 cm (7–8 in) long. 1:24 and 1:25 are the standard scales for plastic car kits. Shop 1:24 scale models.

How big is a 1:32 scale model?

A 1:32 scale car is about 13–15 cm (5–6 in) long, the same scale as most slot cars. A 1:32 tractor is roughly 13–19 cm. Shop 1:32 scale models.

How big is a 1:43 scale model?

A 1:43 scale car is about 9.5–11 cm (4–4.5 in) long. A modern F1 car at 1:43 is about 13 cm. It’s a popular scale for building a large collection without needing much shelf space. Shop 1:43 scale models.

How big is a 1:50 scale model?

A 1:50 scale car is about 8–9.5 cm (3–4 in) long. 1:50 is mostly used for trucks, buses and construction models: an articulated lorry is about 33 cm and a single-deck bus about 24 cm. Shop 1:50 scale models.

How big is a 1:64 scale model?

A 1:64 scale car is about 6.5–7.5 cm (2.5–3 in) long, roughly Hot Wheels or Matchbox size. Collector brands such as Mini GT and Tarmac Works make highly detailed 1:64 models. Shop 1:64 scale models.

How big is a 1:72 scale model?

1:72 is mainly used for military models and aircraft. A main battle tank is about 10–14 cm (4–5.5 in) long and a Spitfire has a wingspan of about 15 cm. Shop 1:72 scale models.

How big is a 1:76 scale model?

1:76 is the scale of UK OO gauge railways and many British bus models. A car is about 6 cm long and a double-decker bus about 14 cm. Shop 1:76 scale models.

How big is a 1:87 scale model?

1:87 is HO gauge, the most common railway scale worldwide. A car is about 5 cm (2 in) long. Shop 1:87 scale models.

How big is a 1:200 scale model?

At 1:200 an Airbus A320 is about 19 cm (7.5 in) long and a Boeing 747 about 35 cm (14 in). Shop 1:200 scale models.

How big is a 1:400 scale model?

At 1:400 an Airbus A320 is about 9.5 cm (3.7 in) long and a Boeing 747 about 18 cm (7 in). It’s ideal for collecting large airline fleets. Shop 1:400 scale models.

How to Work Out the Size of a Model From Its Scale

To find the size of a model, divide the real vehicle’s dimensions by the scale number (the number after the “:” or “/”). To go the other way, multiply the model’s size by the scale number.

For example, here’s the calculation for a 1:18 scale Aston Martin DB5. The real car’s dimensions are available from sites such as Ultimate Specs:

Real Aston Martin DB5÷ 18 = 1:18 model
Length457.2 cm / 180 in25.4 cm / 10 in
Width167.6 cm / 66 in9.3 cm / 3.7 in
Height134.6 cm / 53 in7.5 cm / 2.9 in

The same 1:18 DB5 would be 10.6 cm long at 1:43 (457.2 ÷ 43) and 7.1 cm long at 1:64 (457.2 ÷ 64).

Approximate Model Sizes by Vehicle Type

If you don’t need exact dimensions, here are typical lengths for the most common model types.

Cars

1:18 scale BBR model car showing typical model size
  • 1:64 scale: approximately 6.5–7.5 cm / 2.6–3.0 in
  • 1:43 scale: approximately 9.5–11 cm / 3.7–4.3 in
  • 1:24 scale: approximately 17–20 cm / 6.7–7.9 in
  • 1:18 scale: approximately 22–27 cm / 8.7–10.6 in
  • 1:12 scale: approximately 33–40 cm / 13.0–15.7 in
  • 1:8 scale: approximately 50–60 cm / 19.7–23.6 in

Race Cars

Scale model race cars in different scales
  • 1:43 scale: approximately 10.5–11.5 cm / 4.1–4.5 in
  • 1:24 scale: approximately 19–21 cm / 7.5–8.3 in
  • 1:18 scale: approximately 25–28 cm / 9.8–11.0 in
  • 1:12 scale: approximately 37–42 cm / 14.6–16.5 in

Modern Formula 1 Cars (2014 onwards)

Scale model Formula 1 cars size comparison
  • 1:43 scale: approximately 12–13 cm / 4.7–5.1 in
  • 1:24 scale: approximately 22–24 cm / 8.7–9.4 in
  • 1:18 scale: approximately 29–31 cm / 11.4–12.2 in
  • 1:12 scale: approximately 45–47 cm / 17.7–18.5 in
  • 1:8 scale: approximately 68–71 cm / 26.8–28.0 in

Motorbikes

Scale model motorbikes in different scales
  • 1:24 scale: approximately 8–9 cm / 3.1–3.5 in
  • 1:18 scale: approximately 11–12 cm / 4.3–4.7 in
  • 1:12 scale: approximately 17–18 cm / 6.7–7.1 in
  • 1:10 scale: approximately 20–22 cm / 7.9–8.7 in
  • 1:6 scale: approximately 33–37 cm / 13.0–14.6 in

Buses & Coaches

Scale model buses and coaches size guide
  • 1:76 scale: approximately 13–18 cm / 5.1–7.1 in
  • 1:64 scale: approximately 16–21 cm / 6.3–8.3 in
  • 1:50 scale: approximately 20–28 cm / 7.9–11.0 in
  • 1:43 scale: approximately 23–32 cm / 9.1–12.6 in

Trucks & Lorries

Scale model trucks and lorries size guide
  • 1:76 (articulated) scale: approximately 13–22 cm / 5.1–8.7 in
  • 1:50 (articulated) scale: approximately 25–33 cm / 9.8–13.0 in
  • 1:24 (tractor unit) scale: approximately 25–30 cm / 9.8–11.8 in
  • 1:18 (tractor unit) scale: approximately 33–40 cm / 13.0–15.7 in

Farm Models

Scale model tractors and farm machinery size guide
  • 1:64 scale: approximately 6–15 cm / 2.4–5.9 in
  • 1:50 scale: approximately 8–20 cm / 3.1–7.9 in
  • 1:32 scale: approximately 13–30 cm / 5.1–11.8 in
  • 1:16 scale: approximately 25–40 cm / 9.8–15.7 in

Military Vehicles

Scale model military vehicles and tanks size guide
  • 1:72 scale: approximately 10–14 cm / 3.9–5.5 in
  • 1:50 scale: approximately 14–20 cm / 5.5–7.9 in
  • 1:35 scale: approximately 20–28 cm / 7.9–11.0 in
  • 1:32 scale: approximately 22–31 cm / 8.7–12.2 in
  • 1:16 scale: approximately 45–60 cm / 17.7–23.6 in

Plant & Machinery

Scale model construction and plant machinery size guide
  • 1:87 scale: approximately 6–12 cm / 2.4–4.7 in
  • 1:50 scale: approximately 10–20 cm / 3.9–7.9 in
  • 1:32 scale: approximately 15–30 cm / 5.9–11.8 in
  • 1:25 scale: approximately 20–38 cm / 7.9–15.0 in

Aircraft

Model aircraft are usually measured by length or wingspan.

  • 1:400 airliners: Airbus A320 about 9.5 cm / 3.7 in, Boeing 747 about 18 cm / 7 in
  • 1:200 airliners: Airbus A320 about 19 cm / 7.5 in, Boeing 747 about 35 cm / 14 in
  • 1:72 military aircraft: Spitfire wingspan about 15 cm / 6 in, F-16 length about 21 cm / 8.3 in
  • 1:48 military aircraft: Spitfire wingspan about 23 cm / 9 in, F-16 length about 31 cm / 12 in

Model Railway Gauges

  • OO gauge (1:76): the standard UK model railway scale. A Mk1 coach is about 26 cm / 10 in long
  • HO gauge (1:87): the most common scale in Europe and the USA
  • N gauge (1:148 UK / 1:160): about half the size of OO, for layouts in tight spaces

Which Scale Should I Choose?

A 1:64 scale model car held in the palm of a hand next to a 1:18 scale model of the same car
A 1:64 model fits in the palm of your hand. The 1:18 version beside it is around 25 cm long.
  • For the most detail and choice: 1:18 has the widest range of collector cars, with opening doors, bonnets and boots on many diecast models.
  • For big collections in less space: 1:43 and 1:64 let you display dozens of cars on a single shelf.
  • For a showpiece: 1:12 and 1:8 models make a statement on a desk or in a display cabinet.
  • For trucks, buses and plant: 1:50 is the industry standard.
  • For airliners: 1:200 for detail or 1:400 to collect a whole fleet.

Not sure what will fit your display? Contact our team and we’ll be happy to help.