Terrain Scale Guide: 15, 20, 28, 32 and 35 mm
Choosing the right terrain scale helps buildings, doors and accessories fit your miniatures. What is the difference between 28 mm and 32 mm? And which size should you choose for a historical army or Star Wars: Legion?
This guide explains the differences and shows you how to convert dimensions using 28 mm as the starting point.
What does a scale in millimetres mean?
When miniatures are described as 28 mm or 32 mm, the measurement refers to a human figure. Depending on the manufacturer, it may be measured to eye level or to the top of the head.
Two ranges sold at the same scale can therefore have different proportions. Heroic-scale miniatures also tend to have exaggerated hands, heads or weapons.
Scale is not base diameter. A miniature on a 32 mm base is not necessarily a 32 mm-scale miniature.
28 mm: a widely used size
28 mm is one of the most common sizes for historical wargames, fantasy games and skirmishes. Examples include Bolt Action and Frostgrave.
For terrain, it offers a practical balance between detail and footprint: you can build streets, villages and battlefields without every building dominating the table.
28 mm or 32 mm for Warhammer 40,000 and Age of Sigmar?
Warhammer ranges include miniatures from different periods, with different sizes and proportions. Many modern figures are larger than their older counterparts, so 32 mm can be a useful rough reference, although no single equivalent applies to the entire range.
You can choose 28 mm or 32 mm terrain depending on the look you prefer:
- 28 mm: more compact buildings and more room on the tabletop.
- 32 mm: larger doors, windows and structures, which may look more natural beside bulky miniatures.
Neither option is always the right choice. Compare the model’s dimensions with your figures, especially for doorways, walkways and interior spaces.
One game explicitly described as 32 mm is Malifaux.
How much bigger is 32 mm than 28 mm?
We use 28 mm as the original size, or 100%:
28 mm → 100%
32 mm → X
The calculation is:
X = 32 × 100 ÷ 28 = 114.29%
Scaling from 28 mm to 32 mm increases the dimensions by 14.29%, or approximately 14–15%.
For example, a wall measuring 10 cm in the 28 mm version would measure approximately 11.43 cm when enlarged proportionally to 32 mm.
Conversion table from 28 mm
To work out any conversion:
Size percentage = desired scale ÷ 28 × 100
| Desired scale | Size relative to 28 mm | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 15 mm | 53.57% | 46.43% smaller |
| 20 mm | 71.43% | 28.57% smaller |
| 28 mm | 100% | Reference size |
| 32 mm | 114.29% | 14.29% larger |
| 35 mm | 125% | 25% larger |
These percentages apply to linear dimensions: height, width and depth. They assume the same original 28 mm design.
20 mm and its relationship with 1:72
20 mm is used in historical wargames and is often associated with 1:72 miniatures and vehicles. This is a familiar combination on Second World War tables.
The terms are not exactly equivalent: 1:72 is a mathematical ratio, while the millimetre measurement depends on how a figure is measured. Compare sizes before mixing manufacturers.
Battlegroup, for example, is designed for 20 mm or 15 mm miniatures.
15 mm: more units in less space
15 mm allows you to field larger forces and leaves more room to manoeuvre on the same table.
A well-known example is Flames of War, whose miniatures are described as 15 mm/1:100.
When a 28 mm design is scaled down proportionally to 15 mm, its dimensions become approximately 53.57% of the original.
35 mm: a reference for Star Wars: Legion
35 mm is a common reference when looking for Star Wars: Legion terrain, although actual figure sizes vary by character and model. This is not a uniform official scale equivalent: always compare the terrain dimensions with your miniatures.
To scale a 28 mm design proportionally to 35 mm:
35 × 100 ÷ 28 = 125%
Its dimensions increase by 25%. A building that is 10 cm tall would become 12.5 cm tall.
Choosing terrain for your miniatures
Check the dimensions in each product listing and compare them with your miniatures. A rock or an open ruin may offer plenty of flexibility; a doorway or a platform that needs to accommodate bases calls for a closer fit.
If you are unsure, contact us with the product, the game and your miniature scale. We will help you choose a size that suits your tabletop.
Explore our fantasy terrain and historical terrain, then choose an available scale in each product listing.
Official sources and references
For more information about the games mentioned:
- Official introduction to Bolt Action by Warlord Games: an overview of the game, its miniatures and terrain.
- Malifaux on the official Wyrd Games website: the manufacturer describes the game as 32 mm.