Miniature Scale Calculator

Miniature Scale Calculator

This calculator helps hobbyists, model makers, and artists convert real-world dimensions into miniature scale dimensions, or vice-versa, based on a specified scale ratio. Whether you're building a dollhouse, a model airplane, or a diorama, understanding scale is crucial for accuracy.

Understanding Scale

Scale is typically expressed as a ratio, such as 1:12, 1:48, or 1:144. This ratio means that one unit of measurement in the miniature model represents a certain number of the same units in the real world. For example, in a 1:12 scale, 1 inch on the model represents 12 inches (or 1 foot) in reality. The larger the second number in the ratio (the denominator), the smaller the miniature model will be relative to the real object.

• 1:1 (Life-size): No scaling, the model is the same size as the real object.
• 1:12 (Dollhouse Scale): Common for dollhouses and furniture, where 1 inch equals 1 foot.
• 1:24 (Half Scale): Often used for larger dollhouses or automotive models.
• 1:48 (O Scale / Quarter Scale): Popular for model railroads, aircraft, and some dollhouse miniatures.
• 1:72 (HO Scale / Aircraft Scale): Very common for military models, aircraft, and smaller model railroads.
• 1:144 (N Scale / Micro Scale): Used for very small models, often for architectural models or tiny dioramas.
• 1:35 (Military Scale): A standard for military vehicles and figures.

To calculate a miniature dimension, you simply divide the real-world dimension by the scale's denominator. For example, if a real-world door is 80 inches tall and you're working in 1:12 scale, the miniature door would be 80 / 12 = 6.67 inches tall.

How to Use the Calculator

1. Real-world Object Dimension: Enter the actual size of the object you want to scale.
2. Real-world Dimension Unit: Select the unit of measurement for your real-world dimension (e.g., meters, feet, inches).
3. Miniature Scale Denominator: Enter the second number of your scale ratio (e.g., for 1:12 scale, enter 12; for 1:72 scale, enter 72).
4. Desired Miniature Output Unit: Choose the unit you want the miniature dimension to be displayed in (e.g., millimeters, centimeters, inches).
5. Click "Calculate Miniature Dimension" to see the result.

Millimeters (mm) Centimeters (cm) Meters (m) Inches Feet



Millimeters (mm) Centimeters (cm) Inches

Examples of Miniature Scaling

• Example 1: Scaling a Real-world Car
  A real car is 4.5 meters long. You want to build a model in 1:24 scale.
  • Real-world Object Dimension: 4.5
  • Real-world Dimension Unit: Meters
  • Miniature Scale Denominator: 24
  • Desired Miniature Output Unit: Centimeters
  • Calculation: 4.5 meters = 4500 mm. 4500 mm / 24 = 187.5 mm. 187.5 mm = 18.75 cm.
  • Result: The miniature car will be 18.75 cm long.
• Example 2: Scaling a Dollhouse Window
  A real window is 36 inches tall. You are making a dollhouse in 1:12 scale.
  • Real-world Object Dimension: 36
  • Real-world Dimension Unit: Inches
  • Miniature Scale Denominator: 12
  • Desired Miniature Output Unit: Inches
  • Calculation: 36 inches = 914.4 mm. 914.4 mm / 12 = 76.2 mm. 76.2 mm = 3 inches.
  • Result: The miniature window will be 3 inches tall.
• Example 3: Scaling a Figure for a Diorama
  A human figure is typically 1.8 meters tall. You need a figure for a 1:72 scale diorama.
  • Real-world Object Dimension: 1.8
  • Real-world Dimension Unit: Meters
  • Miniature Scale Denominator: 72
  • Desired Miniature Output Unit: Millimeters
  • Calculation: 1.8 meters = 1800 mm. 1800 mm / 72 = 25 mm.
  • Result: The miniature figure will be 25 mm tall.

function calculateMiniatureScale() { var realWorldDimension = parseFloat(document.getElementById('realWorldDimension').value); var realWorldUnit = document.getElementById('realWorldUnit').value; var scaleDenominator = parseFloat(document.getElementById('scaleDenominator').value); var outputUnit = document.getElementById('outputUnit').value; var resultDiv = document.getElementById('result'); if (isNaN(realWorldDimension) || realWorldDimension <= 0) { resultDiv.innerHTML = "Please enter a valid positive number for the Real-world Object Dimension."; return; } if (isNaN(scaleDenominator) || scaleDenominator < 1) { resultDiv.innerHTML = "Please enter a valid positive number (1 or greater) for the Miniature Scale Denominator."; return; } var baseMM; // Convert real-world dimension to millimeters switch (realWorldUnit) { case 'mm': baseMM = realWorldDimension; break; case 'cm': baseMM = realWorldDimension * 10; break; case 'm': baseMM = realWorldDimension * 1000; break; case 'inches': baseMM = realWorldDimension * 25.4; break; case 'feet': baseMM = realWorldDimension * 304.8; // 1 foot = 12 inches * 25.4 mm/inch break; default: resultDiv.innerHTML = "Invalid real-world unit selected."; return; } var miniatureMM = baseMM / scaleDenominator; var finalResult; var finalUnit; switch (outputUnit) { case 'mm': finalResult = miniatureMM; finalUnit = 'mm'; break; case 'cm': finalResult = miniatureMM / 10; finalUnit = 'cm'; break; case 'inches': finalResult = miniatureMM / 25.4; finalUnit = 'inches'; break; default: resultDiv.innerHTML = "Invalid output unit selected."; return; } resultDiv.innerHTML = "The miniature dimension is: " + finalResult.toFixed(3) + " " + finalUnit + ""; }