Tabletop Miniature Scales & Resizing
A simple guide to understanding scale, size, and what our numbers actually mean
📐 The Basics
What does scale mean for tabletop miniatures?
- ▸ Scale = the size ratio between a miniature and its real-life counterpart
- ▸ 1:56 scale means 1 mm on the mini = 56 mm (5.6 cm) in reality
- ▸ Smaller second number = larger figure appears
♂ Male
1.80 m
Real height
~32 mm
Miniature size
♀ Female
1.60 m
Real height
~27–30 mm
Miniature size
Qumi Standard Scale
32mm
measured feet to eye level
⚔️
📏 32mm Explained
What does "32 mm scale" mean?
- ▸Height given in mm, not as a ratio like 1:56
- ▸32 mm = average 1.80 m human miniaturized
- ▸Measured feet to eye level — not top of head
- ▸Equals roughly 1:48-1:50 scale at 1.80 m real height
👁️ Measurement
Why measure up to eye level?
- ✓Consistent comparability across manufacturers
- ✓No distortion from helmets, horns, hair or hats
- ✓Better scalability for modifications & custom builds
🐉
📈 Scale Creep
Why the larger sizes? Modern "scale creep"
- ▸Figures have grown larger over the years
- ▸More anatomically realistic & dynamic designs
- ▸Natural proportions make figures appear taller
- ▸32 mm now ensures system compatibility across games
Both figures represent a 1.80 m human
32 mm
Classic
True to name — exactly 32mm
36–42 mm
Modern
Still called "32mm" but taller
Both are sold as "32mm scale" — but modern figures are up to 30% taller due to scale creep
📊
⚖️ Size Difference
32mm vs. 75mm scale
- ▸32mm = standard gaming scale (1:56)
- ▸75mm = larger display & collector scale (1:24)
- ▸A 75mm figure is more than 2x taller than a 32mm one
- ▸Bigger size means more detail — ideal for painting & display
32mm
1:56
Gaming
vs
75mm
1:24
Display
⚡
🦎 Size in Context
Human vs. Creature
Creatures can be much taller than humans — even in the same 32mm scale
VS
Same scale, wildly different sizes
🏆
🔥 Go Big
XXL Scales
32mm scale
= 1:56
Miniature next to the dice
75mm scale
= 1:24
Green & colorful knights
1:6 scale
= 30cm tall
Tall display miniature, head to toe