The Ultimate Guide to Miniature Wargaming Scales

The Ultimate Guide to Miniature Wargaming Scales

Miniature wargaming thrives on detail, immersion, and scale accuracy. At Patrick Miniatures, we specialize in finely crafted figures and terrain pieces across popular scales: 15mm, 20mm, 28mm, and 32mm. This guide will help you understand the subtle but crucial differences between these scales, the games and genres they are most suitable for, and why choosing the right scale can make or break your tabletop experience.

Understanding Miniature Scales

Miniature scale refers to the size ratio between a model and its real-world counterpart. For example, a 28mm figure typically represents a human scaled down to 1:56 of their original size-if measured from the bottom of the foot to the eye line. However, there is more to scale than height alone. Proportions, body bulk, and even elements like posture, base thickness, or the presence of high heels can dramatically influence how a miniature is perceived.

This is why two figures from different brands both labeled as "28mm" may look significantly different when placed side-by-side. For hobbyists and gamers, this can be both a creative opportunity and a frustrating challenge.

WW2 Wargaming: 20mm vs 28mm in Bolt Action and Beyond

For World War II enthusiasts, miniature scale greatly affects battlefield realism and unit density:

20mm Scale (approximately 1:72) is often used in large-scale battles. It allows players to field entire platoons, support units, and vehicles in a compact space. These miniatures are less detailed but excellent for representing broader engagements, especially for historical reenactments.
28mm Scale (roughly 1:56) is more detailed and character-driven. This scale is ideal for games like Bolt Action, where small-unit tactics and individual soldier identities play a larger role. You'll notice the level of sculpting on gear, facial expressions, and even uniform wrinkles is considerably higher.

Modern Warfare: Spectre Operations and Realistic Miniatures

Modern warfare games demand a balance of realism and artistic clarity. While 28mm is still a standard go-to, many players are gravitating toward 32mm figures for several compelling reasons:

Larger figures offer more canvas for detailing modern gear-such as tactical vests, scoped rifles, and night vision goggles.
The scale shift also makes figures feel more immersive and realistic when posed dynamically or crouched behind urban terrain.

At Patrick Miniatures, we provide both 28mm and 32mm modern combat figures so you can choose based on your terrain setup, table size, and aesthetic preferences.

Cyberpunk Miniatures: Stylized vs Realistic Proportions

The cyberpunk genre thrives on exaggerated visuals- augmented limbs, cybernetic implants, neon armor, and gravity-defying footwear. Here, 32mm scale comes into its own. The added height and volume provide room for complex sculpting, vibrant accessories, and bold character expressions.

An important consideration is how female miniatures with high heels are measured. At Patrick Miniatures, we employ a unique technique: instead of measuring from the tip of the toe, we begin at the lowest point of the heel where it contacts the ground. This creates consistent height standards across all our figures-regardless of footwear, pose, or body type.

Pinup Miniatures and High Heel Scaling Considerations

In the world of pinup-style miniatures, where fashion and figure posing take center stage, the presence of high heels introduces unique challenges to scale consistency. A figure posed in high heels may appear significantly taller than one in flat shoes, even if both represent the same base height category.

To address this, Patrick Miniatures implements a precise method for scaling high-heeled models. Instead of measuring from the toe (which may be elevated by the heel), we start at the point where the heel meets the ground, often referred to as the "seat" in footwear anatomy. This reference point ensures that a 28mm or 32mm model is measured consistently, whether the figure is wearing flats, boots, or stilettos.

This approach maintains accurate proportions and avoids scale distortion, especially in pinup models with dramatic footwear. It also allows them to stand in line with their companions without appearing oversized or underscaled. By refining this technique, we ensure every figure maintains both visual harmony and design integrity.

Designer Differences: Bulky vs. True Scale Figures

When it comes to 28mm scale miniatures, there may be slight variations in appearance due to the fact that we work with multiple designers. Some designers prefer a bulkier look for their figures, while others aim for a more true-to-scale appearance. These variations may affect proportions and height, but we ensure consistency by aligning all dimensions to one average model.

If you measure the height from the heel to the eyeline of the figures, you will find they are exactly 28mm tall, just as advertised in all our images. Examples like Vaultz and Tharyon Braz show how a more realistic, slender sculpt can still fit the correct scale, making them ideal for narrative-focused or roleplay-heavy games.

Sci-Fi Skirmishes: Five Parsecs, Stargrave, and the Rise of 32mm

In sci-fi skirmish games, players often command small elite teams, not sprawling armies. This focus makes the figures themselves more central to the experience. Games like Stargrave and Five Parsecs from Home benefit from 32mm scale miniatures:

This scale enables more expressive body language, detailed facial sculpting, and bulkier equipment.
Alien creatures, battle droids, and power-armored humans all gain extra character at this size.

Although 28mm still sees widespread use and has a vast ecosystem of accessories and kits, many hobbyists find 32mm gives them more modeling satisfaction and better visual impact on the tabletop.

Warhammer 40K: The Heroic Scale Dilemma

Games Workshop's iconic Warhammer 40K series lists many of its miniatures as 28mm, but the reality is more nuanced. Their Astra Militarum human infantry (commonly referred to as Guardsmen) are indeed very close to true 28mm scale and serve as a reliable benchmark for comparison. In fact, our side-by-side imagery confirms that these models match up cleanly against other manufacturers’ 28mm miniatures.

However, things become less consistent when you move beyond standard humans. Space Marines, for example, are genetically enhanced super soldiers and mutants by lore, and this is reflected in their scale. Modern sculpts place them firmly in the 32–35mm range. This creates a noticeable height and bulk disparity compared to human troops.

The use of "heroic scale" in Warhammer exaggerates specific body proportions—especially heads, hands, and weapons—to enhance recognizability and impact on the tabletop. While this works stylistically, it’s essential to consider these discrepancies when mixing models from different lines.

Vehicles and Scale Matching

When it comes to miniature wargaming, matching vehicles to your chosen scale is just as important as the figures themselves. Cars that are too large or too small can disrupt the visual immersion and balance of gameplay.

At Patrick Miniatures, our vehicles are carefully scaled to match the miniatures they’re meant to accompany, whether that’s 28mm or 32mm. A vehicle scaled for 28mm should look appropriate next to a soldier figure of the same scale, providing a realistic sense of proportion in terms of height, width, and wheelbase.

The image below demonstrates this principle. On the left, a 28mm figure stands beside a van scaled for 28mm gameplay. On the right, a 32mm figure is paired with a slightly bulkier version of the same van, adjusted to maintain visual realism at the larger scale. While the van designs are nearly identical, the scale difference ensures both scenes feel authentic when placed on the tabletop.

15mm Scale: For Massive Battles and Small Footprints

At the smaller end of the spectrum is 15mm scale (around 1:100). These miniatures are perfect for:

Strategic-level engagements with dozens or even hundreds of troops per side.
Compact tabletop setups, where space is limited but gameplay shouldn't be.
Games like Flames of War or Cold War era homebrew scenarios, where the number of units outweighs the need for extreme detail.

15mm figures may not allow for intricate facial features, but they are efficient, cost-effective, and surprisingly charming when grouped together. They’re easy to paint in batches and perfect for players who enjoy commanding whole battalions rather than individual heroes.

Sculpting & Printing Challenges: A Peek Behind the Scenes

Creating miniatures that look consistent and professional across scales is a process that requires more than just resizing a file. Each model must be reviewed for anatomical accuracy, clothing balance, and how it stands in relation to others in a lineup.

In particular, when it comes to female figures with high heels, special attention is paid to posture, stance, and base contact. The vertical measurement begins at the heel-to-ground point to ensure the figure fits seamlessly with flat-footed companions of the same scale.

Modular parts, like optional arms, heads, or weapons, must align precisely to avoid gaps or weak joints. This becomes even more critical as miniature designs become more detailed and multipart.

At Patrick Miniatures, these issues are addressed early in our workflow to ensure every figure that arrives at your table is both visually stunning and structurally sound.

Final Thoughts: What’s Right for You?

Choosing the right scale comes down to your goals as a hobbyist or gamer:

Choose 15mm if you want a grand strategy with small, easy-to-deploy armies.
Opt for 20mm for historically rich, affordable armies with plenty of vehicles.
Stick with 28mm for maximum compatibility across WWII, pulp, and modern tabletop games.
Go with 32mm for the best detail, dynamic poses, and stunning sci-fi or cyberpunk aesthetics.

At Patrick Miniatures, we offer high-quality 3D-printed figures tailored to each of these scales, carefully designed by talented designers from around the globe.

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