SCALE CONVERSION CALCULATOR

These Javascript devices calculate the scaled length (the output) when you enter the length of an object (the input) and a scaling factor (the scale). Metric conversions are supported.

       

Scale

 1:

SCALE DOWN

  • Enter the scaling factor; for 1/4th scale, enter a '4'; for 1/6th scale, enter a '6' (the default)
  • In the box marked "input", enter the measurement of a real-world object in either inches or millimeters in the "in / mm" box. Enter feet and inches in their boxes. Enter "0" in "in/mm" for feet only.
  • Press the button labeled "in" (inches) or "mm" (millimeter). Pressing "in" will convert feet to inches and add it to the "in / mm" box and clear the "feet" box.
  • The scaled down size of that object is displayed in the box marked "output"
  • Pressing the "in" or "mm" output button will cause the results to be recalculated and displayed in the unit of measure you've selected.
  • Set scale to "1:1" to convert between imperial and metric units.

Input

 feet in / mm Selection

Output

   in / mm Selection

Scale

 :1

SCALE UP

This one's just for grins. While the "Scale Down" version converts linear measurements of real-world objects to a smaller scale, this one lets you check the real-world size of a scale replica. It can also be used in scale-to-scale conversions (see below).

  • Enter the scaling factor: If your model is 1/35, enter "35"
  • In the box marked "input" enter your model's measurement
  • Click the "in" or "mm" button in the "output" box to display the real-world size.

Input

Output
CONVERTING MODEL DIMENSIONS: You can convert measurements from scale models (like Tamiya's 1/35th stuff) to another scale (like GI Joe- 1/6th scale). To do this:
  • Put the model's scale in the LOWER calculator's "Scale" box (i.e. "35" for a 1/35th scale model)
  • Put the output scale in the UPPER calculator's "Scale" box (i.e. "6" for a 1/6th scale figure)
  • Put the model's measurement in the LOWER calculator's "Input" box and click "mm" or "in".(metric is recommended for accuracy)
  • Click on the "Scaleupdown" button
  • The result is shown in the UPPER calculator's "Output" box
All this does is scale up the model measurements to 1:1 scale and transfer the result (and unit) to the scale down calculator. It saves you a few keystrokes and button presses, and is probably useful if you're converting a lot of measurements across scales.

These calculators are pretty simple; all they do is multiply and divide. The "Scale Down" calculator is useful for modeling from 1:1 objects since you can put in the actual 1:1 size measurement of an object in inches (as they're frequently provided), and it will output the scaled size in metric, which is easier to work with.

ENTERING FRACTIONS: All fractional values must be entered as a decimal. (ie 1/2 = 0.5) For Millimeter and inch numbers, enter them in their box with a decimal value equal to the fraction.

Click for Model Railroad Home Page

Visit JimBobs Image Depot (jbwid.com) for more converters.