There are many different scales that you can buy models in. The scale is basically how many times smaller the model is compared to the real-life car, vehicle or object. This means that you can easily work out the size of a model just by dividing the real-life dimensions by the larger scale number (on the right-side of the “:” or “/”).

How to Work out the Size of a Model Using it’s Scale

Earlier we explained that you can easily work out the size of a model just by dividing the real-life dimensions by the larger scale number (on the right-side of the “:” or “/”). Let’s put this into practice, as we try to calculate the dimensions of a 1:18 scale Aston Martin DB5 model. First you will need to find out the real-life dimensions, you can usually get these by searching for them on google. For this example we are going to use this reliable source from Ultimate Specs.

Real-Life Dimensions

Length: 457.2 cm / 180 inches
Width: 167.6 cm / 65.98 inches
Height: 134.6 cm / 52.99 inches

Now to work out the sizes of a 1:18 DB5 model we would divide the above numbers by “18”. Giving us the following dimensions.

1:18 Aston Martin DB5 Dimensions

Length: 25.4 cm / 10 inches
Width: 9.3 cm / 3.66 inches
Height: 7.5 cm / 2.94 inches

Approximate Dimensions

For those who aren’t fussed about getting exact dimensions using the calculation method above, we’ve listed below typical dimensions for a bunch of model types.

Bikes

Scale Guide
  • 1:24 scale: Approximate length is 8 cm / 3.15 inches
  • 1:18 scale: Approximate length is 10-12 cm / 3.94-4.72 inches
  • 1:12 scale: Approximate length is 14-18 cm / 5.51-7.09 inches
  • 1:10 scale: Approximate length is 20-28 cm / 7.87-11.02 inches

Buses

Scale Guide
  • 1:76 scale: Approximate length is 10-15 cm / 3.94-5.91 inches
  • 1:64 scale: Approximate length is 14-20 cm / 5.51-7.87 inches
  • 1:50 scale: Approximate length is 16-23 cm / 6.30-9.06 inches
  • 1:24 scale: Approximate length is 28-32 cm / 11.02-12.60 inches

Cars

Scale Guide
  • 1:64 scale: Approximate length is 6 cm / 2.36 inches
  • 1:43 scale: Approximate length is 10 cm / 3.94 inches
  • 1:24 scale: Approximate length is 15-25 cm / 5.91-9.84 inches
  • 1:18 scale: Approximate length is 20-30 cm / 7.87-11.81 inches
  • 1:12 scale: Approximate length is 30-40 cm / 11.81-15.75 inches

Trucks / Lorries

Scale Guide
  • 1:76 scale: Approximate length is 10 cm / 3.94 inches
  • 1:50 scale: Approximate length is 30-35 cm / 11.81-13.78 inches
  • 1:24 scale: Approximate length is 25-40 cm / 9.84-15.75 inches
  • 1:18 scale: Approximate length is 30-50 cm / 9.84-15.75 inches

Farm Models

Scale Guide
  • 1:64 scale: Approximate length is 10-15 cm / 3.94-5.91 inches
  • 1:50 scale: Approximate length is 20-25 cm / 7.87-9.84 inches
  • 1:32 scale: Approximate length is 16-28 cm / 6.30-11.02 inches
  • 1:16 scale: Approximate length is 23-30 cm / 9.06-11.81 inches
  • 1:12 scale: Approximate length is 25-35 cm / 9.84-13.78 inches

Military Vehicles

Scale Guide
  • 1:72 scale: Approximate length is 16-23 cm / 6.30-9.06 inches
  • 1:50 scale: Approximate length is 12-18 cm / 4.72-7.09 inches
  • 1:32 scale: Approximate length is 16-28 cm / 6.30-11.02 inches

Plant & Machinery

Scale Guide
  • 1:50 scale: Approximate length is 5-20 cm / 1.97-7.87 inches
  • 1:32 scale: Approximate length is 11-22 cm / 4.33-8.66 inches
  • 1:25 scale: Approximate length is 25-30 cm / 9.84-11.81 inches

Race Cars

Scale Guide
  • 1:43 scale: Approximate length is 10 cm / 3.94 inches
  • 1:24 scale: Approximate length is 15-25 cm / 5.91-9.84 inches
  • 1:18 scale: Approximate length is 20-30 cm / 7.87-11.81 inches
  • 1:12 scale: Approximate length is 30-40 cm / 11.81-15.75 inches

Modern Formula 1 Cars (After 2014)

Scale Guide
  • 1:43 scale: Approximate length is 12-13 cm / 4.72-5.12 inches
  • 1:24 scale: Approximate length is 22-24 cm / 8.66-9.45 inches
  • 1:18 scale: Approximate length is 29-31 cm / 11.42-12.20 inches
  • 1:12 scale: Approximate length is 45-47 cm / 17.72-18.50 inches