Gundam, Gunpla & Mecha Model Scales Explained
Share
If you are new to Gunpla, labels such as 1:144 HG, 1:144 RG, 1:100 MG, and 1:60 PG can look like different ways of describing the same thing. They are not.
The scale tells you how large the model is relative to the fictional mobile suit. The grade or product line describes the type of model kit, its design concept, and generally its level of detail, engineering, or complexity.
Quick answer: HG and RG are commonly 1:144, MG is associated with 1:100, and PG is associated with 1:60. Mega Size models use 1:48. SD Gundam kits may be non-scale because their proportions are intentionally stylized.
1:144, 1:100, 1:60, and 1:48 describe the proportional relationship between the model and the fictional full-size machine.
HG, RG, MG, PG, and EG identify Gunpla product families. A grade is not itself a scale.
Two models at the same scale can have different finished heights because the fictional mobile suits are different sizes.
What Is Gunpla?
Gunpla is the commonly used name for Gundam plastic model kits. The name combines “Gundam” and “plastic model.”
Gundam refers to the broader franchise and its fictional machines, characters, series, movies, and related media. Gunpla refers specifically to plastic model kits based on Gundam subjects.
That distinction matters because not every Gundam collectible is Gunpla, and not every mecha model kit is Gundam.
A completed Gundam action figure, for example, may have a stated size but is not necessarily a Gunpla model kit. Likewise, model kits based on other mecha franchises can use familiar scales such as 1:144 or 1:100 without being Gunpla.
Gunpla Scale vs. Grade: What Is the Difference?
Describes how large the model is relative to the fictional full-size machine.
Describes the Gunpla product family and its design or engineering concept.
A designation such as RG 1:144 RX-78-2 Gundam contains several different pieces of information:
RG means Real Grade.
1:144 is the scale.
RX-78-2 Gundam identifies the mobile suit being modeled.
The scale relationship works just like it does with aircraft, ships, cars, armor, and other scale models.
At 1:144 scale, one unit on the model represents 144 of the same units on the fictional full-size machine. At 1:100, one unit represents 100. At 1:60, one unit represents 60.
| Marking | What It Describes | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1:144 | Scale | Model is 1/144 of the full-size linear dimensions |
| 1:100 | Scale | Model is 1/100 of the full-size linear dimensions |
| 1:60 | Scale | Model is 1/60 of the full-size linear dimensions |
| HG | Product line / grade | High Grade |
| RG | Product line / grade | Real Grade |
| MG | Product line / grade | Master Grade |
| PG | Product line / grade | Perfect Grade |
| EG | Product line / grade | Entry Grade |
| SD | Stylized format / family | Super Deformed proportions |
| Non-scale | No fixed proportional scale | Model is not a consistent proportional reduction of the fictional subject |
Do not use the grade alone to determine a model’s scale. Read the complete product designation.
New to model scales?
See our complete model kit scale guide for a broader explanation of scale ratios across aircraft, cars, ships, armor, model railroads, Gundam, and other modeling categories.
What Are the Most Common Gundam Model Scales?
For mainstream Gunpla, the scales you are most likely to encounter include 1:144, 1:100, 1:60, and 1:48. The finished size still depends on the dimensions of the specific mobile suit.
| Scale | Common Gunpla Association | 18 m Mobile Suit Becomes | General Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1:144 | HG, RG, many EG kits | 12.5 cm (4.9 in) | Compact collections and broad subject selection |
| 1:100 | MG, Full Mechanics and other lines | 18 cm (7.1 in) | Larger display presence |
| 1:60 | PG and selected other kits | 30 cm (11.8 in) | Large centerpiece models |
| 1:48 | Mega Size Model | 37.5 cm (14.8 in) | Very large display models |
These example dimensions assume a fictional machine that is exactly 18 m (59.1 ft) tall. A taller or shorter mobile suit will produce a correspondingly taller or shorter model at the same scale.
What Does 1:144 Scale Mean for Gundam Models?
A 1:144 Gundam model is 144 times smaller in each linear dimension than the fictional full-size mobile suit it represents.
If a mobile suit is 18 m tall:
That is why many standard-sized 1:144 Gundam models are roughly 5 inches tall.
Common 1:144 Gunpla Lines
The 1:144 scale is strongly associated with High Grade (HG) and Real Grade (RG), and many Gundam Entry Grade (EG) releases are also 1:144.
Its compact size makes 1:144 practical for larger collections while still providing enough physical size for panel lining, painting, decals, weathering, posing, and customization.
What Does 1:100 Scale Mean?
At 1:100 scale, every one unit on the model represents 100 units on the fictional machine.
For an 18 m mobile suit:
This makes a 1:100 version of the same subject noticeably larger than its 1:144 counterpart.
Is Every 1:100 Gundam a Master Grade?
No. Master Grade is strongly associated with 1:100 scale, but 1:100 is a scale, not another name for Master Grade.
Other Gundam product lines have also used 1:100 scale.
MG → typically 1:100
but
1:100 → does not automatically mean MG
Always check the complete kit designation.
What Does 1:60 Scale Mean?
A 1:60 scale model represents the fictional machine at one-sixtieth of its linear dimensions.
For an 18 m mobile suit:
Perfect Grade is the Gunpla line most strongly associated with 1:60 scale.
The difference in physical presence is substantial:
| Scale | 18 m Subject | Relative Height vs. 1:144 |
|---|---|---|
| 1:144 | 12.5 cm (4.9 in) | 1× |
| 1:100 | 18 cm (7.1 in) | 1.44× |
| 1:60 | 30 cm (11.8 in) | 2.4× |
A 1:60 model of the same subject is therefore 2.4 times as tall as its 1:144 version. Because models occupy three-dimensional space, the difference in overall display presence is much greater than height alone suggests.
What Is 1:48 Mega Size?
Bandai has also produced Mega Size Model kits in 1:48 scale.
For an 18 m mobile suit:
This makes 1:48 substantially larger than 1:60, 1:100, or 1:144 versions of the same subject.
HG vs. RG vs. MG vs. PG: What Do the Grades Mean?
Gunpla grades are best understood as product families rather than a universal scale or difficulty ranking.
HG: High Grade
High Grade models are commonly 1:144 scale. HG offers a broad selection of mobile suits and is one of the most accessible formats for building and collecting Gundam models.
The relatively compact dimensions also make HG practical for larger collections, dioramas, customization projects, and builders with limited display space.
RG: Real Grade
Real Grade is also generally 1:144 scale.
This can surprise new builders because an RG model can be approximately the same overall height as an HG version of the same mobile suit. The difference is not the scale. They belong to different product lines with different design and engineering approaches.
HG 1:144 and RG 1:144 can represent the same mobile suit at essentially the same scale and overall size while providing very different building experiences.
MG: Master Grade
Master Grade is associated with 1:100 scale. The larger physical format provides more room for mechanical detail, articulation systems, internal structures, opening features, and other engineering depending on the individual release.
PG: Perfect Grade
Perfect Grade is associated with 1:60 scale. The larger format provides considerably more physical space for detailed engineering and produces a much larger display model.
Gunpla Grades at a Glance
| Grade / Line | Typical Scale | Relative Size | Key Point |
|---|---|---|---|
| EG | Often 1:144 for Gundam subjects | Compact | Designed around accessible assembly |
| HG | 1:144 | Compact | Broad selection |
| RG | 1:144 | Compact | Same scale as HG, different product concept |
| MG | 1:100 | Medium | Larger format |
| PG | 1:60 | Large | High-end large-scale format |
| Mega Size | 1:48 | Very large | Physical size does not automatically indicate complexity |
| SD | Often non-scale | Compact | Stylized proportions |
These are useful general relationships, but they should not replace checking the specifications of an individual kit.
What Does Entry Grade Mean?
Entry Grade, or EG, is a product line designed around accessible assembly. It is not a scale.
Gundam Entry Grade releases include numerous 1:144 models. A designation such as ENTRY GRADE 1/144 RX-78-2 GUNDAM should therefore be read as:
Product line
Scale
Subject
The same reading method works with HG, RG, MG, PG, and other model lines.
What Does SD Gundam Mean?
SD stands for Super Deformed, a stylized interpretation that uses exaggerated proportions, especially a large head and shortened body and limbs.
This creates an important exception to normal scale-model logic. Many SD Gundam kits are described as non-scale.
Why? Because the model is not simply a proportionally reduced version of the fictional full-size machine. Its proportions have intentionally been changed.
For this reason, SD models should generally be compared by their stated product dimensions and format rather than by conventional scale mathematics unless the manufacturer specifies a scale.
How Do You Calculate the Size of a Gundam Model?
The same scale formula used throughout scale modeling applies to proportionally scaled Gundam and mecha kits:
Convert both measurements to compatible units before calculating.
Example: 18 m Mobile Suit at 1:144
Convert the fictional full-size height to centimeters:
18 m = 1,800 cm
Then divide by 144:
1,800 ÷ 144 = 12.5 cm
The model should therefore be approximately 12.5 cm (4.9 in) tall.
The Same Mobile Suit at Different Scales
| Scale | Calculation | Model Height |
|---|---|---|
| 1:144 | 1,800 cm ÷ 144 | 12.5 cm (4.9 in) |
| 1:100 | 1,800 cm ÷ 100 | 18 cm (7.1 in) |
| 1:60 | 1,800 cm ÷ 60 | 30 cm (11.8 in) |
| 1:48 | 1,800 cm ÷ 48 | 37.5 cm (14.8 in) |
Gundam & Mecha Scale Size Chart
| Full-Size Mecha Height | 1:144 | 1:100 | 1:60 | 1:48 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 m (49.2 ft) | 10.4 cm (4.1 in) | 15 cm (5.9 in) | 25 cm (9.8 in) | 31.3 cm (12.3 in) |
| 18 m (59.1 ft) | 12.5 cm (4.9 in) | 18 cm (7.1 in) | 30 cm (11.8 in) | 37.5 cm (14.8 in) |
| 20 m (65.6 ft) | 13.9 cm (5.5 in) | 20 cm (7.9 in) | 33.3 cm (13.1 in) | 41.7 cm (16.4 in) |
| 25 m (82.0 ft) | 17.4 cm (6.8 in) | 25 cm (9.8 in) | 41.7 cm (16.4 in) | 52.1 cm (20.5 in) |
Need to calculate a different size?
Use the OLDEPOT Interactive Scale Calculator to calculate Real → Model, convert Model → Real, or use Find the Scale when you know the dimensions but not the model’s scale.
Why Aren’t All 1:144 Gundams the Same Size?
Because scale preserves differences in the dimensions of the original subjects.
Imagine two fictional mobile suits:
Mobile Suit A: 18 m tall
Mobile Suit B: 24 m tall
At 1:144:
24 m ÷ 144 = 16.7 cm
Both models are correctly 1:144 scale, but one is more than 4 cm taller.
This is exactly what happens in other modeling categories. Two 1:72 aircraft are not necessarily the same size. Two 1:350 ships are not necessarily the same length. Two 1:24 cars are not necessarily identical in length.
Scale creates a common ratio, not a common finished size.
This becomes especially important with mecha because large backpacks, wings, weapons, funnels, armor, shields, and other equipment can dramatically increase the amount of display space a finished model requires.
Does a Bigger Gunpla Scale Mean More Detail?
Not necessarily.
A larger scale gives a manufacturer more physical space in which detail can be represented, but scale alone does not determine the engineering or detail level of a kit.
HG and RG illustrate this distinction well. Both are commonly 1:144, yet they belong to different product lines with different design goals.
Likewise, a 1:48 Mega Size model is physically larger than a 1:60 Perfect Grade model of a similarly sized subject, but the larger denominator comparison alone tells you nothing definitive about which kit has more complex internal engineering.
When comparing Gundam kits, evaluate these characteristics separately:
How large is the model relative to the fictional machine?
What family of kit is it and what design concept does that line use?
What features, engineering, accessories, and articulation does this particular kit actually include?
The subject itself also matters. A physically large or mechanically elaborate mobile suit may produce a very different model from another kit carrying the same scale or grade designation.
Which Gunpla Scale Should You Choose?
There is no single best Gundam scale. The most useful choice depends on the subjects you want to build, your preferred model size, available workspace, and display space.
You want a compact collection, broad subject selection, smaller display footprint, or access to HG and RG kits. It is particularly practical when displaying multiple mobile suits together.
You prefer a larger model with more visual presence or simply find the larger physical format easier to handle, paint, detail, or display. It is also the scale associated with Master Grade.
You want a large centerpiece model and have sufficient building and display space. Account for weapons, wings, shields, stands, and extended poses rather than considering height alone.
Physical size and display impact are major priorities. An 18 m subject becomes approximately 37.5 cm (14.8 in) tall before accounting for additional equipment.
You prefer the stylized Super Deformed aesthetic. Many SD models are non-scale, so they should not be compared directly with proportional 1:144, 1:100, or 1:60 models using normal scale mathematics.
Can You Display Different Gunpla Grades Together?
Yes, but distinguish between matching grades and matching scales.
An HG 1:144 and an RG 1:144 can generally make sense together from a scale perspective because both represent their subjects at 1:144.
An HG 1:144 next to an MG 1:100 does not represent the subjects at the same scale. You can certainly display them together, but their relative sizes will not represent the fictional machines consistently.
For scale-consistent displays and dioramas, match the scale rather than the grade.
What About Vehicles, Pilots, Buildings, and Accessories?
If your Gundam is 1:144 and you want a scale-consistent scene, other proportionally scaled objects should ideally also be 1:144. The same principle applies to 1:100 and 1:60.
This can include:
vehicles, figures, maintenance equipment, buildings, hangars, ground equipment, weapons, and other diorama elements.
Understanding scale becomes especially useful when you move beyond displaying a single mobile suit and begin building an environment around it.
Gunpla vs. Other Mecha Model Scales
The mathematics of scale does not change when you leave the Gundam universe.
A 1:72 mecha model, 1:100 robot, or 1:144 science-fiction machine uses the same basic proportional relationship as a conventional scale model, provided the model is actually designed to a stated proportional scale.
However, manufacturers and franchises do not all organize their model lines the same way Gunpla is organized.
Do not assume that terms such as HG, RG, MG, or PG apply universally to other mecha brands. Likewise, some science-fiction and mecha kits are sold as non-scale. In those cases, the finished size is defined by the manufacturer’s design rather than a consistent proportional relationship to a fictional full-size machine.
Scale, Grade, and Size: The Simple Rule to Remember
When reading a Gunpla box or product listing, separate the information into categories.
For example:
MG 1:100 RX-78-2 Gundam
MG = Master Grade product line
1:100 = scale
RX-78-2 Gundam = subject
Similarly:
RG 1:144 RX-78-2 Gundam
RG = Real Grade product line
1:144 = scale
RX-78-2 Gundam = subject
Frequently Asked Questions About Gundam & Gunpla Scales
What scale are most Gundam models?
1:144 and 1:100 are among the most common Gunpla scales. HG and RG are strongly associated with 1:144, while MG is associated with 1:100. PG models are generally 1:60.
Is HG always 1:144?
HG is strongly associated with 1:144 Gunpla, but you should still check the complete designation of an individual product rather than using the grade as a substitute for its stated scale.
Is RG bigger than HG?
Not necessarily. HG and RG Gunpla are commonly both 1:144. If they represent the same mobile suit at the same scale, their basic overall dimensions should be similar even though their engineering, parts, and details may differ.
Is MG always 1:100?
Master Grade is associated with 1:100 scale, but the reverse is not true: not every 1:100 Gundam model is Master Grade.
Is PG 1:60?
Perfect Grade Gunpla is associated with 1:60 scale. An 18 m mobile suit would be approximately 30 cm (11.8 in) tall at 1:60.
How tall is a 1:144 Gundam?
It depends on the fictional height of the mobile suit. An 18 m mobile suit would be approximately 12.5 cm (4.9 in) tall at 1:144. Larger mobile suits produce larger models even at the same scale.
How tall is a 1:100 Gundam?
An 18 m mobile suit would be approximately 18 cm (7.1 in) tall at 1:100. The actual finished height depends on the specific subject.
How tall is a 1:60 Gundam?
An 18 m mobile suit would be approximately 30 cm (11.8 in) tall at 1:60.
Which is bigger, 1:100 or 1:144?
1:100 is larger when comparing the same subject. A smaller scale denominator produces a larger model. An 18 m subject would be 18 cm (7.1 in) tall at 1:100 and 12.5 cm (4.9 in) at 1:144.
Are SD Gundams 1:144 scale?
You should not assume so. Many SD Gundam models are non-scale. Their proportions are intentionally stylized, so physical height alone cannot be used to assign them a conventional scale.
Does a higher Gunpla grade mean a larger model?
No. Grade and scale describe different characteristics. HG and RG can both be 1:144, while MG is generally associated with 1:100 and PG with 1:60. Always check the stated scale of the individual kit.
Can I put HG and RG models in the same diorama?
Yes. When both kits are 1:144, they can be compatible from a scale perspective. Their product lines are different, but the proportional scale ratio is the same.
How can I calculate the scale of an unknown Gundam or mecha model?
If you know both the fictional full-size dimension and the corresponding dimension of the model, convert both measurements to the same unit and use:
Scale denominator = Full-size dimension ÷ Model dimension
For example, if a fictional mobile suit is 18 m tall and the model is 12.5 cm tall, convert 18 m to 1,800 cm. Then calculate 1,800 ÷ 12.5 = 144. The model is approximately 1:144 scale.
You can also use the Find the Scale tool in the OLDEPOT Interactive Scale Calculator.
Understanding Scale Makes Gunpla Easier to Compare
Gunpla terminology becomes much simpler once scale and grade are treated as separate specifications.
1:144, 1:100, 1:60, and 1:48 describe proportional size.
HG, RG, MG, PG, and EG identify product lines.
SD may use intentionally altered proportions and can be non-scale.
Most importantly, the finished height of a Gundam model depends on both its scale and the fictional dimensions of the mobile suit being modeled.
Once you understand those relationships, you can estimate how large a kit will be, compare releases more accurately, plan scale-consistent displays and dioramas, and choose models that fit your workspace and collection.
For scale ratios, conversions, charts, examples across other modeling categories, and the interactive calculator, continue with Model Kit Scales Explained: A Complete Scale Size Guide.