Demystifying Hobby Scale Sizing

Crossing and integrating the hobby scale genre can be confusing. What are the standards? Which are most prevalent and will they fit together?

Much of the confusion of such wide spread standards is due to several factors. First, different manufacturers have standardized on different scales. Each hobby category has a popular scale and many scales have evolved since prewar years scaling both up and down with precision from 1:1000 up to large scale of 1:12. And, the larger riding models go well beyond that scale.

To add to the confusion, Europe and Britain have standardized differently from the US. For example, in the US, the O gauge trains are 1:48, in the UK they are 1:43 and in Europe per MOROP, the NEM standards for model railroading O gauge is 1:45.

Let’s explore the more common standards across several hobby genres.

• 1:12 is considered large scale and is most popular for doll houses with ceilings 8-11″ high. Consider this as 12 times smaller than a human house or 1 inch equal to 1 foot.


• 1:20 to1:22.5 is called G scale and is most associated with garden trains. G gauge refers to the distance between the inside of the rails (1.75″ or 45mm). Note: The USA G scale is 1:120.3 and is sometimes referred to as F scale but runs on the same rail size.


• 1:24 is also called half scale. It is the second most popular scale for doll houses. Some detailed plane models also come 1:24 and 1:30. So, 1″ equals 2 feet or is 24 times smaller.


• 1:35 is used for helicopters.


• 1:43 and 1:48 or ¼ scale is associated with O scale trains with 2 or 3 rail tracks. This scale is dominated by Lionel. This size is also the second most popular scale for planes. And, compatible cars and trucks are found in 1:43, 1:48, and 1:50 scale.


• 1:64 is S scale model trains with the most popular being the American Flyer.


• 1:72 is most popular for aircraft, figures and vehicles where 1″ equals 6′. This crosses more genres than other scales.


• 1:87 is the most popular railroad modeling scale called HO, half O. Each of the railroad scales also offer complementary structures, vehicles, boats, signs, figures, etc.


• 1:75, 1:96, 1:108, 1:150 are all popular ship building sizes.


• 1:160 is for N scale model trains which is gaining popularity. The footprint typically hosts a 2″ engine almost half the size of the HO train. The name comes from the N in the Nine mm distance between the tracks.


• 1:220 is the Z scale model train, the smallest train scale, introduced by Marklin. It’s just plain cute.

The scales vary widely between hobby categories, but you can integrate several for a realistic look and feel. Although many categories provide a wide variety of offerings, you can cross and mix more disciplines together for fun. For example, hang a 1:35 scale helicopter in range of your 1:24 doll house and O scale train. And, perhaps this could help to expand your hobby business.

Now paint clouds, make mountain ranges and city skylines for a room full of fun and wonder, all scaled for a magical tour.

Source by Elaine Littlefield

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Demystifying Hobby Scale Sizing