Guide to Model Kit Scales: 1/35 vs 1/72 vs 28mm and More (2026)
March 16, 2026 · CastForge Team
Choosing the right scale is one of the most important decisions when buying a resin model kit. Scale determines the size of your finished model, the level of detail visible, and how it fits with the rest of your collection. This guide explains every common scale, what it looks like in practice, and which is best for your needs.
What Does Scale Mean?
Scale is a ratio comparing the model to the real thing. A 1/35 scale figure means the model is 35 times smaller than the real person. A real person at 175cm tall becomes a 5cm (50mm) figure at 1/35 scale. The smaller the second number, the larger the model.
1/35 Scale — The Most Popular
1/35 is the standard scale for military figure modelling. Figures stand approximately 50mm tall — large enough to show excellent detail but small enough to fit on a shelf or in a display case. This is where you will find the widest selection of kits, accessories, and vehicles.
Best for: Military modellers, diorama builders, anyone wanting the widest product selection.
1/72 Scale — Perfect for Collections
1/72 produces figures approximately 25mm tall. This scale is popular for large dioramas and wargaming because you can fit more figures and vehicles into a scene. Detail is still good but painting requires a steady hand and fine brushes.
Best for: Large dioramas, wargamers, collectors who want many pieces in limited space.
28mm — The Wargaming Standard
28mm is measured from foot to eye level and is the dominant scale for tabletop wargaming. Most RPG and tabletop miniatures use this scale, making it easy to mix figures from different manufacturers in the same game.
Best for: Tabletop gamers, RPG players, wargaming enthusiasts.
54mm — The Display Standard
54mm figures are large enough to show impressive detail while remaining manageable to paint. This scale has a long tradition in military miniature collecting and is popular at painting competitions.
Best for: Display collectors, competition painters, historical figure enthusiasts.
75mm and 1/10 Scale — Bust Territory
75mm figures and 1/10 scale busts are where painting really shines. The larger surface area allows for advanced techniques like wet blending, glazing, and realistic skin tones. Most painting competition entries use these scales.
Best for: Serious painters, competition entries, display centrepieces.
1/16 Scale — Maximum Detail
1/16 figures stand approximately 110mm tall. At this scale, you can see extraordinary detail — individual eyelashes, realistic fabric weave, and accurate equipment. These are premium display pieces that demand skilled painting.
Best for: Expert painters, museum-quality display pieces.
1/48 Scale — Aircraft Modelling
1/48 is the most popular scale for aircraft modelling. Our resin cockpit detail sets, crew figures, and engine parts at this scale upgrade plastic aircraft kits to competition standard.
Best for: Aircraft modellers who want aftermarket detail upgrades.
1/350 and 1/700 — Naval Scales
These are the standard scales for warship modelling. 1/350 offers good detail visibility while 1/700 allows larger vessels to fit on a shelf. Our resin parts add deck detail, weapons, and equipment that plastic kits lack.
Best for: Ship modellers, naval enthusiasts.
Quick Reference Chart
| Scale | Figure Height | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 1/72 | ~25mm | Large dioramas, wargaming |
| 28mm | ~28mm | Tabletop gaming, RPGs |
| 1/35 | ~50mm | Military modelling (most popular) |
| 54mm | ~54mm | Display collecting |
| 75mm | ~75mm | Painting, competitions |
| 1/16 | ~110mm | Expert display pieces |
| 1/10 | ~175mm | Busts, portrait painting |
Which Scale Should You Start With?
If you are new to resin modelling, start with 1/35 scale. It offers the best balance of detail, selection, and paintability. As your skills develop, try 75mm busts for painting practice or 1/72 for diorama building.
Browse our complete range of 13,000+ resin kits across all scales, or use our interactive scale guide to find the right size for your project.