What Scale are Dinosaur Models?

A question we get frequently asked is what scale are dinosaur models? When considering model aircraft, trains or cars this is a relatively simple question to answer. For example, collectors can acquire a scale model of RMS Titanic.  Any declared scale is likely to be accurate as the dimensions of this ocean liner are known.  Similarly, model train enthusiasts have clearly defined scales to help support their hobby.  The famous HO scale is 1:87, that is the model is eight-seven times smaller than the actual train that it represents.

However, when it comes to creating a scale model of an extinct animal, that is more of a challenge.  Particularly, when you consider that the fossil record for that animal may be far from complete.

Haolonggood tend to declare a scale of 1:35 for their dinosaur models. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

What Scale Are Dinosaur Models?

Dinosaur models are produced in many different scales. However, some scales are more common than others. Scale describes the relationship between the size of a model and the estimated size of the actual prehistoric animal. For example, a 1:40 scale dinosaur model is forty times smaller than the dinosaur it represents.  A 1:35 scale model would be approximately thirty-five times smaller than the actual dinosaur.

The CollectA Deluxe 1:40 scale Fukuisaurus dinosaur model. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

The picture (above) shows the 1:40 scale CollectA Deluxe Fukuisaurus dinosaur model.  It is a replica of an Early Cretaceous ornithopod from Japan.  The figure measures around fourteen centimetres long.  Every centimetre of model length, equates to forty centimetres in the adult dinosaur.  However, like many declared scales, whether a 1:40 declared scale for Fukuisaurus is accurate remains open to debate.

To view the range of CollectA Deluxe scale prehistoric animal models: CollectA Deluxe Scale Prehistoric Animal Figures.

Popular Dinosaur Model Scales

If a manufacturer declares a scale for a model, then this scale tends to be reflected across their model range. This makes sense if dinosaur figures are going to be displayed together.  For example, Rebor tends to use 1:35 scale along with Haolonggood.  CollectA Deluxe dinosaur models are usually in 1:40 scale. A general rule is that the higher the scale number, the smaller the actual figure.

For example, the Creative Beast Studio Allosaurus figure in 1:18 scale is much larger than the 1:35 scale Allosaurus.  In the picture (below) the 1:18 scale Allosaurus jimmadseni model in the Cyberzoic range is compared to the much smaller Beasts of the Mesozoic Allosaurus fragilis figure at 1/35th scale.  The Allosaurus jimmadseni is much larger than the Allosaurus fragilis because it is at a different scale.

Allosaurus scale models compared. The larger 1:18 scale Allosaurus jimmadseni figure (top) and the smaller 1:35 scale Allosaurus fragilis figure (bottom). Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Scale sizes, such as 1:20, are often used for smaller dinosaurs. However, small in terms of the Dinosauria is relative. Take for example Polacanthus.  CollectA produced a stunning 1:20 scale figure of this armoured dinosaur, the model is nearly twenty-eight centimetres long.  After all, Polacanthus foxii could have measured more than five metres in length.  However, this species is known from extremely fragmentary material.  Fossils previously assigned to Polacanthus have been reassigned to different genera.  Therefore, it is extremely difficult to estimate the size of an adult Polacanthus.

A prototype CollectA Deluxe Polacanthus figure photographed in dorsal view to show the detailed armour. This model has a declared scale of 1:20. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

The Concept of Indeterminate Growth

Assigning a precise scale is not always straightforward. Palaeontologists may disagree about the adult size of an extinct animal. Furthermore, many dinosaur species are known from incomplete skeletons or extremely fragmentary remains.  Many taxa are represented by juveniles or sub-adults.  It is difficult to determine the size of the fully-grown, mature animal.

Scientists can estimate missing bones by studying related animals. However, these calculations inevitably involve some uncertainty. New fossil discoveries can also lead to revised body-length estimates.  Often palaeontologists have to apply a “shrink ray”.  Dinosaur sizes may have been overestimated in the past, leading to revision once more fossil material has been found or a more detailed assessment using modern technology made. After all, when Dr Gideon Mantell described Iguanodon from its teeth, he estimated that the actual animal was between sixty and a hundred feet in length.

Dinosaurs were subject to indeterminate growth. Put simply, for as long as a dinosaur lived it got a little bigger each year.  We know that dinosaurs had growth spurts, but when fully-grown and mature dinosaurs still continued to grow, albeit much more slowly. Consequently, the stated scale of a dinosaur model should sometimes be regarded as approximate.

The Dinosauria Consists of Animals of Different Sizes

Scale can help collectors appreciate the huge differences in dinosaur body size. A small dromaeosaurid displayed beside a similarly scaled sauropod provides a dramatic comparison.  However, it is worth remembering that dinosaurs varied in size enormously.  For example, the smallest theropod known is the tiny, extant Bee Hummingbird (Mellisuga helenae). Females are slightly larger than males but rarely exceed six and half centimetres in length.  Giganotosaurus carolinii, is regarded as the largest theropod known to science.  When the skull of a large carcharodontosaurid dinosaur is compared to an adult Bee Hummingbird, then the immense difference in size can be visualised.

Theropod size comparison. The skull of the carcharodontosaurid Mapusaurus roseae compared to a Bee Hummingbird (Mellisuga helenae). Considering the variation in the Theropoda, it can be a challenge to answer the question what scale are dinosaur models? Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Not Every Dinosaur Model is Designed to a Specific Scale

However, not every dinosaur figure is designed to a specific scale. Some replicas are created at a convenient size for display or for imaginative play.  For instance, Papo and Schleich do not usually declare a scale for their dinosaurs.

So, what scale are dinosaur models? There is no single answer. Scales such as 1:20, 1:35 and 1:40 are popular, but the scale chosen depends on the animal, the manufacturer and the purpose of the model. At Everything Dinosaur, we have opted for a 1:33 scale for our award-winning Everything Dinosaur Evolution range.  This makes these models impressive display pieces.  The important point to remember with our Hell Creek figures is that all four of the models should be in 1:33 scale.  After all, we want collectors to be able to feel confident about displaying them together.

Commenting on the challenge of scaling dinosaur models, Mike from Everything Dinosaur stated:

“Some collectors get obsessed with the scale for dinosaur figures. Sue and I are asked frequently about this subject. We try our best to provide objectivity and assist where we can. However, for many dinosaurs, even famous ones, we don’t actually know just how big they could grow.”

The multi-award-winning Everything Dinosaur shop: Scale Models of Dinosaurs.