RC scale converter
Scale is a size ratio: a 1/10 car is one tenth the size of the full-size vehicle, so a 17 in long 1/10 truck represents a 170 in (14.2 ft) vehicle. Scale speed multiplies by the same number: 30 mph at 1/10 looks like 300 mph at full size.
HLSFWDRIVE 1/18 RC Crawler Jeep RC Truck 4x4 Off Road RTR All
- 1/18
- 4WD
Popular cars at each scale. Picked from current listings.
$85.99 listed price, changes often
Check price on Amazon Full specs- Full-size length
- 170 in
- Same vehicle at 1/8
- 21.3 in
- Length at 1/8 vs 1/10
- 1.25x
- Scale speed
- 300 mph
- Model speed
- 48 km/h
- Length scales linearly, but volume and weight scale roughly with the cube, so a 1/8 truck is typically around twice the weight of a comparable 1/10.
The formula
real size = model size x scale denominator size at new scale = size x (old denominator / new denominator) scale speed = model mph x scale denominator
RC "scale" is loose. Manufacturers round, and two 1/10 cars can differ in length by several inches depending on body style.
Popular cars at each scale
Picked from current listings across the price range, so there is a budget, a middle and a premium option in each category.
crawler mini
HLSFWDRIVE 1/18 RC Crawler Jeep RC Truck 4x4 Off Road RTR All
$85.99 specs
View on Amazon
What size is a 1/10 scale RC car?
Typical overall lengths vary by body style. These ranges cover most current models:
| Scale | Typical length | Common use |
|---|---|---|
| 1/24 | 6 to 7 in | Indoor mini crawlers |
| 1/18 | 9 to 11 in | Mini bashers and crawlers |
| 1/16 | 10 to 13 in | Grom-size trucks |
| 1/14 | 12 to 15 in | Budget brushless |
| 1/10 | 15 to 22 in | The standard hobby scale |
| 1/8 | 19 to 24 in | 4S to 6S bashers and buggies |
| 1/7 and 1/5 | 25 to 40 in | Large bashers and speed cars |
Each scale has its own page with current models: 1/10, 1/24 and the rest on the scale hub.
What is RC scale speed?
Scale speed multiplies model speed by the scale denominator to show how fast the car would look if it were full size. A 1/10 truck at 30 mph is traveling 300 scale mph, which is why even modest RC cars look wildly fast. Crawler drivers use the idea in reverse: a 1/10 crawler at 2 mph is a realistic 20 scale mph trail pace.
Which scale should I buy?
For most people, 1/10: it has the biggest choice of cars, parts, batteries and upgrades, and it handles grass and gravel. Choose 1/24 or 1/18 for indoor or small-yard driving and for young kids. Choose 1/8 only when you want 4S to 6S power and can afford the batteries. The what scale should I get guide goes deeper.
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Frequently asked questions
Is 1/8 or 1/10 scale bigger?
1/8 is bigger. The number after the slash is how many times smaller than full size the model is, so a smaller number means a larger model. A 1/8 model is 25 percent longer than the same vehicle at 1/10, and because volume grows with the cube it is typically around twice as heavy, with batteries and parts to match.
How big is a 1/24 scale RC car?
Most 1/24 RC cars are about 6 to 7 inches long, small enough to drive on a desk or a rug. The Axial SCX24 and FMS FCX24 crawlers made the scale popular for indoor courses. They run on small packs, are quiet and slow, and suit younger kids and anyone without outdoor space.
What does 1/10 scale mean on an RC car?
It means the model is one tenth the size of the full-size vehicle it represents. A 1/10 short course truck of about 22 inches stands in for a full-size truck of about 18 feet. In practice RC scale is approximate: manufacturers round, and some 1/10 monster trucks are proportionally much wider than a real truck.
Are 1/16 and 1/18 RC parts interchangeable?
Rarely. Parts are specific to each platform, not each scale, so even two 1/10 cars from different brands usually share only wheels with a common hex size, batteries and electronics. Buy a model with good parts support in its own line rather than expecting cross-compatibility.
How do you calculate RC scale speed?
Multiply the model speed by the scale denominator. A 1/10 car at 25 mph has a scale speed of 250 mph; a 1/24 crawler at 3 mph is a 72 scale mph. It is a fun comparison for realism, not a performance number, because air resistance and physics do not scale the same way size does.
RCCarCalc is researched guidance, not professional advice. Figures come from published manufacturer specifications, listings and verified owner reports, not hands-on testing. Speeds are theoretical or as listed; real results depend on gearing, battery, tires and terrain. See how we research.