Scale represents a fraction of real size.
A vehicle that is 16 feet long in real life, will be 1 foot long in 1/16th scale.
| Scale | Most used for | Example | Best for |
| 1/16 | Farm toys. | Older and smaller farm tractors are 8 to 10 inches long, many newer models are more than 12 inches long, you are about 4.4 inches tall. | Most are great for kids. Collector and Precision models are intended more for display than play. |
| 1/18 | Cars and small trucks. | The 'typical' car is 10-12 inches long. | Many are designed for display and have small, breakable pieces. |
| 1/25 | Trucks, cars, banks, and some construction equipment. | Delivery trucks are 8 to 10 inches long, construction toys are a large 12 inches or more. | Most items are built for older children or for adult collectors. |
| 1/32 | Military Vehicles, Farm toys and airplanes. | Classic biplanes have about a 12 inch wingspan. Farm tractors are smaller but still big enough for little hands. Old semi rigs are 14-16 inches long. You are just over 2 inches tall. | Most items are suitable for play. |
| 1/34 | Mostly First-Gear trucks | Almost exclusively for adult collectors. | |
| 1/43 | Farm toys, cars, and trucks. | The same scale as a Lionel railroad. Trucks and cars are 3.5 to 4.5 inches long. | Great for older children, many items have small parts. This scale is sought after by 'O' scale rail-road enthusiasts. |
| 1/50 | Construction toys, and emergency vehicles (especialy fire engines | Dozers average 5 to 6 inches in length, graders and scrapers are 6 to 8 inches, cranes and large excavators are still 8 to 12 inches and up. You are about 1.4 inches tall. | Mostly for older children or adult collectors and modelers. SIKU and Joal brands will do well with children who are not likely to abuse them. CORGI Fire Vehicles are for the adult collector. |
| 1/64 | NASCAR Cars, Military and police Vehicles, Farm equipment, semi trucks, various other emergency vehicles | Farm tractors are between 3 and 4 inches long, a semi tractor with trailer is about 12 inches long. | Great for all ages. Small size makes this scale popular with kids and collectors. |
| 1/87 | Military Vehicles, Farm equipment, semi trucks, passenger cars, various emergency vehicles | Farm tractors are between 2 and 3 inches long, a semi tractor with trailer is about 10 inches long. | Is the same as HO Scale Model Railrodas. Small size makes this scale popular with kids and collectors. Really looks good with the model railroads although the vehilces can appear to be "toy like" ROCO is a good example of the military vehicles. |
