Scale Conversion Calculator & Scale Factor Calculator

Scale a measurement to a larger or smaller measurement, which is useful for architecture, modeling, and other projects. You can also add the real size and scaled size to find the scale factor.

How to Scale Up or Down

Making a measurement smaller or larger, known as scale conversion, requires a common scale factor, which you can use to multiply or divide all measurements by.

To scale a measurement down to a smaller measurement, for instance, when making a blueprint, simply divide the real measurement by the scale factor. The scale factor is commonly expressed as 1:n or 1/n, where n is the factor.

For example, if the scale factor is 1:8 and the real measurement is 32, divide 32 ÷ 8 = 4 to convert.

To convert a scaled measurement up to the actual measurement, simply multiply the smaller measurement by the scale factor. For example, if the scale factor is 1:8 and the smaller length is 4, multiply 4 × 8 = 32 to convert it to the larger actual size.

How to Find the Scale Factor

A scale factor is a ratio of two corresponding measurements or lengths. You can use the factor to increase or decrease the dimensions of a geometric shape, drawing, or model to different sizes. You can find the scale factor in a few easy steps.

Step One: Use the Scale Factor Formula

Since the scale factor is a ratio, the first step to finding it is to use the following formula:

scale factor = scaled size / real size

So, the scale factor is a ratio of the scaled size to the real size.

Step Two: Simplify the Fraction

The next step is to reduce or simplify the fraction.

If you’re scaling down, then the ratio should be shown with a numerator of 1. If you’re scaling up, then the ratio should be shown with a denominator of 1.

To find the final scale factor when you’re scaling up, reduce the ratio to a fraction with a denominator 1. To do this, divide both the numerator and the denominator by the denominator.

If you’re scaling down, then reduce the fraction so that the numerator is 1. You can do this by dividing both the numerator and the denominator by the numerator.

Our fraction simplifier can help with this step too, if needed.

Step Three: Rewrite the Fraction as a Ratio

Finally, rewrite the fraction as a ratio by replacing the fraction bar with a colon. For instance, a scale factor of 1/10 can be rewritten as 1:10.

How to Reduce the Scale Factor

If you already know the scale factor, but it is not in the form of 1:n or 1/n, then some additional work is needed to reduce or simplify it. If the ratio is 2:3, for example, then you’ll need to reduce it to so that the numerator is 1.

Use our ratio calculator to reduce a ratio. You can also reduce a ratio by dividing both the numerator and the denominator by the numerator.

Commonly Used Architectural Scales

Scale factors for common architectural scales

Architectural Scale	Scale Factor
1/16″ = 1′	1:192
3/32″ = 1′	1:128
1/8″ = 1′	1:96
3/16″ = 1′	1:64
1/4″ = 1′	1:48
3/8″ = 1′	1:32
1/2″ = 1′	1:24
3/4″ = 1′	1:16
1″ = 1′	1:12
1 1/2″ = 1′	1:8
3″ = 1′	1:4

Commonly Used Model Scales

Common scale factors used for models and hobbies

Scale Factor	Model Type
1:4	steam trains, RC planes
1:8	steam trains, cars
1:10	figures
1:12	cars, motorcycles, dollhouses
1:16	steam trains, cars, motorcycles, military vehicles, figures
1:18	diecast cars
1:20	formula one cars
1:22.5	G-gauge trains
1:24	cars, trucks, aircraft, dollhouses
1:25	cars, trucks
1:32	1 gauge trains, cars, aircraft, figures
1:35	military vehicles
1:43	O-gauge trains, cars, trucks
1:48	O-gauge trains, dollhouses, Lego minifig
1:64	S-gauge trains, diecast cars, Hotwheels:Matchbox
1:72	aircraft, military vehicles, boats, cars
1:76	aircraft, military vehicles
1:87	HO-gauge trains, military vehicles
1:96	ships, spacecraft
1:100	aircraft, spacecraft
1:120	TT-gauge trains
1:144	ships, rockets, spacecraft
1:160	N-gauge trains, wargaming
1:200	aircraft, ships
1:220	Z-gauge trains
1:285	wargaming
1:350	ships
1:700	ships
1:720	ships