Model Railroad & Miniature Figure Life Size Scale Calculator

This Javascript calculator creates a calculated table of scaled size objects from measured real life size objects, based on the scale fraction, or the type of model railroad, in order to create a more accurate layout. Track distances are the most difficult scale to achieve because of physical space limitations of most layouts. These scales vary somewhat worldwide and from manufacturer to manufacturer; however these are the generally accepted sizes and conversions. Calculations can be made in an automated fashion by selecting the scale of your choice (current, generally standard scales listed only), entering the Real Life Size in feet and clicking on Calculate; the default is 87.1 for HO, the most popular scale. The scale fraction will show in the scale fraction box after clicking on Calculate. To manually process the calculation, choose Other for the scale; enter the scale fraction of your choice directly in the scale fraction box. If the size scale is 1:50, you should enter the 50 in the box. Enter the Real Life Size in feet. For instance a wall is 8 feet high; enter 8. Then click on Calculate. This will work with any scale size relationship. To do any additional calculations, click on Clear Values prior to entering any new values.

For figures, select "Other" for the scale and assuming 6 feet to the top of the head for scale measurement, type the appropriate ratio in the Model Scale Fraction box. In the Life Size Feet box, type the desired height in feet of the figure, length of weapon or other measurement for fairly accurate dimensions in millimeters.


Typical model railroad scales  Calculator
1:12 Large Scale
1:13.7 7/8 inch scale
1:20.3 G, Three-Foot Gauge
on Gauge 1 Track
1:22.5 LGB and Bachman
1:24  Half scale
1:29 Aristo-Craft, USA Trains, 
standard gauge on #1 gauge
1:32 I scale
1:48 O scale
1:64 S scale
1:87.1 HO scale
1:120 TT scale
1:160 N scale
1:220 Z scale
Figure Scale Sizes
Size Ratio
54 mm 1:34
38 mm Use O scale
35 mm 1:52
33 mm 1:55
28 mm Use S scale
25 mm 1:72
20 mm 1:90
15 mm Use TT scale
10 mm 1:184
6 mm 1:306
Value Designation
Required Data Entry
Train Current Model Scale
1: Model Scale Fraction
Life Size Feet (to be scaled)
   
Calculated Results
English Layout Factors
inches = 1 foot
inches = 1 foot (rounded)
inches (scale size)
inches (scale size rounded)
Metric Layout Factors
millimeters = 1 foot
millimeters = 1 foot (rounded)
millimeters (scale size)
millimeters (scale size rounded)