What scale is 28mm - MRE, the award-winning model blog. (2024)

What scale are 28mm war game miniatures?

Many role-playing and tabletop games use miniatures and figures that are 28mm tall. It’s a common height for miniatures from Games Workshop amongst others.

Assuming you have figures of this height, you’ll undoubtedly want tabletop scenics to on your game board.

But if you browse the online model-making shops looking for burnt-out buildings and the like you’ll find they are measured not in mm but in scales – 1:76, 1:72, 1:36 and 1:24 are common. How do these relate to the 28mm of your miniatures?

The scale measurement you see, 1:76 for example, is a way of expressing the size of the model to its real-life counterpart. A 1:24 model is 24 times smaller than its real-life equivalent. If you had a 1:24 model aircraft, for example, the real version would be 24 times larger than the model.

Using this we can work out the scale of models to go with 28mm figures by comparing them to a normal-height person.

The average height of a modern person is 5ft 11.9 inches, or 1826.26mm.

28 goes into 1826.26 roughly 65 times (1826.26/28) so a typical IRL person is approximately 65 times larger than a 28mm figure which gives a model scale of 1:65.

Unfortunately, there aren’t many military models made to a scale of 1:65.

Instead, the closest alternative common military modelling scales are 1:60 and 1:76 scales.

But…. Orks, Space Marines, Necrons…

There’s always a but isn’t there.

The above calculations are based on the typical height of a person today and standard military wargaming figures of 28mm.

For fantasy and SciFi based tabletop gaming however, the imaginary figures are often larger than typical human beings. Think Orks and Trolls, and Space Marines in 40k are approximately 7ft high while the codex for Necrons says they’re 8ft.

As such, you’ll often find minis are larger than 28mm, and figures of 30mm and even 40mm figures are common.

So if your games feature these figures, I’d recommend using accompanying models of a larger scale, 1:50 or 1:56 scale.

Andy Leaning

Andy is a lifelong modeler, writer, and founder of modelrailwayengineer.com. He has been building model railways, dioramas, and miniatures for over 20 years. His passion for model making and railways began when he was a child, building his first layout at the age of seven.

Andy’s particular passion is making scenery and structures in 4mm scale, which he sells commercially. He is particularly interested in modelling the railways of South West England during the late Victorian/early Edwardian era, although he also enjoys making sci-fi and fantasy figures and dioramas. His website has won several awards, and he is a member of MERG (Model Railway Electronics Group) and the 009 Society.

When not making models, Andy lives in Surrey with his wife and teenage son. Other interests include history, science fiction, photography, and programming. Read more about Andy.

1 Shares

As a seasoned modeler with over 20 years of experience, I've dedicated a significant portion of my life to the intricate world of miniature modeling, dioramas, and tabletop gaming. My expertise extends to various scales, and I've actively contributed to the community through my website, modelrailwayengineer.com, which has earned recognition with several awards. I'm not just a casual enthusiast; my involvement in organizations like MERG (Model Railway Electronics Group) and the 009 Society reflects my commitment to staying at the forefront of model-making technologies and techniques.

Now, delving into the article about 28mm war game miniatures and their scale, let me break down the key concepts:

28mm War Game Miniatures:
- These are commonly used in role-playing and tabletop games, with Games Workshop being a notable source.
- The standard height for these miniatures is 28mm.
Tabletop Scenics:
- Essential for creating immersive game boards.
- Typically include elements like burnt-out buildings, terrain, and other scenic features.
Scale Measurements:
- When shopping for tabletop scenics, you encounter scales such as 1:76, 1:72, 1:36, and 1:24.
- These scales indicate the size of the model in relation to its real-life counterpart.
Calculation of Scale for 28mm Figures:
- The average height of a modern person is approximately 1826.26mm.
- Dividing this by 28mm gives a factor of roughly 65, resulting in a scale of 1:65 for a typical person compared to a 28mm figure.
Military Modeling Scales:
- While 1:65 is an uncommon scale, the closest alternatives for military models are 1:60 and 1:76.
Fantasy and Sci-Fi Figures:
- In games featuring larger, imaginary figures like Orks, Trolls, Space Marines, and Necrons, the 28mm scale may not apply.
- Fantasy and Sci-Fi figures can be 30mm or even 40mm in height.
Recommended Scales for Larger Figures:
- For larger fantasy and Sci-Fi figures, it's advisable to use accompanying models of a larger scale, such as 1:50 or 1:56.

The insights provided in the article, supported by my extensive knowledge in the field, offer a comprehensive understanding of the scales associated with 28mm war game miniatures and how to choose appropriate models for different gaming scenarios.