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BIG OR SMALL ?

RC SCALES

In RC, scale is usually listed as a ratio or fraction such as 1:10 or 1/10. 

The higher the scale, the smaller the size of your RC car, the bigger the scale; the smaller the size.
To explain this best, RC car in the size of an actual car will be 1/1 scale. As the size of the RC car gets smaller, the scale gets bigger.

RC cars range in different scales, from 1/5 to 1/6, 1/8, 1/10, 1/15, 1/20, and 1/18. You can also get mini-sized RC car models with a scale between 1/28 and 1/64. However, the scale describes how big or small your RC car is to real-life full-sized automobiles. 

For example, if you have an RC car with a 1/10 scale modeled after a Jeep Wrangler (RC crawler), it simply means the RC car is 10x smaller than the full-sized Jeep Wrangler. Hence, a 1/8 scale RC car will be bigger than an RC car on a 1/10 scale. 

RC Cars’ Size – Comparison Table By Different Scale:

Measurement | scale1/281/161/121/101/81/5
Weight 1 to 1.98 pounds5.4 – 10lbs2.8 – 3.3lbs3.2 – 11.2lbs5.4 to 10lbs60 – 80lbs
Length 3 – 7”10 – 14”14 – 16”17.5 – 21.6”18. -23.43”36 – 40”
Width 3.46”7 – 7.3”3.5 – 6.5”7.8 – 14.4”10.4 – 16.6”28 – 32”
Height 4.65”4 – 4.92”2.5 to 3.9.”4.2 – 9.1”3.9 – 9.8”16 – 24”

RC Cars Size Range

Most RC enthusiasts confuse the word size for scale. But they aren’t the same. 

The size of an RC car describes its dimension. Hence, when considering the size of your RC car, you have to think about its measurement, which will include:

  • Weight: the total mass of the RC car
  • Length: measures from the front to the back of the car
  • Width: measures how wide the vehicle is at the side
  • Height: measures how high the car is from the ground to the highest part of the RC car

However, you need to understand that as each manufacturer may produce different RC cars with the same size range, the other RC models will vary. For instance, if you have an RC car with a 1/10 scale from Traxxas and also have a Arrma 1/10 RC car, the weight, length, height, and width will differ from each other. 

Do Different RC Cars With The Same Scale Have The Same Size ?

Each RC cars differ in size even if they have the same scale. 

If you have a 1/10 monster truck, you will observe that dimension varies with the length of the Monster Truck being 21.6inches long, the width 14.5inches, the height 9.12inches, and the maximum weight will be 4.4kg (9.7lbs) without battery and 4.86kg (10lbs) with battery. On the other hand, if you have a 1/10 drift car, it may weigh 4kg, 18inches long, 13inches wide, and 8.5inches high. 

What Is The Most Common Scale

While RC cars come in different scales such as 1:6, 1:8, 1:10, 1:12, and more, the most common size is the 1:10 or 1/10 scale. 

How Big Is A 1/28 Scale RC Car

Models with a 1:28 ratio can be considered small as they usually have a small size and dimension.

Averagely, a 1/28 RC car will have measurements like:

  • Weight: 1 to 1.98 pounds
  • Length: 3 to 7inches
  • Width: 3.46inches
  • Height: 4.65inches

How Big Is A 1/16 Scale RC Car

RC 1:16 scale dimensions vary mainly because of the different models produced by different manufacturers. Some light models have smaller dimensions, while larger styles like the monster truck come larger.

Depending on your 1/16 RC car type, their dimensions will vary between:

  • Weight:  2.45 to 4.54 kg (5.4 to 10lbs)
  • Length: 10 to 14inches (272 – 356mm)
  • Width: 7 to 7.3inches (178 – 185mm)
  • Height: 4 to 4.92inches (102 – 125mm)

How Big Is A 1/12 Scale RC Car

1/12 RC cars are twelve times smaller than real cars. For this reason, they will be as big as: 

  • Weight: 2.8 to 3.3pounds
  • Length: 14 to 16 inches (36 – 38cm)
  • Width: 3.5 to 6.5inches
  • Height: 2.5 to 3.9inches

How Big Is A 1/10 Scale RC Car

There are different 1/10 scale RC vehicles, from monster trucks to on-road cars. However, their measurement differs.

Typically, 1/10 scale RC cars have dimensions as:

  • Weight: 3.2 and 11.2 pounds
  • Length: 17.5 inches to 21.6 inches
  • Width: 7.8 inches to 14.4 inches.
  • Height: 4.2 inches to 9.1 inches

How Big Is A 1/8 Scale RC Car

1/8 scale RC cars are the most common among seasoned RC enthusiasts due to their large size. However, even when they come large, how big they vary with the type of models produced by manufacturers.

An average 1:8 scale RC car will have dimensions like:

  • Weight: 2.45 – 4.54kg (5.4 to 10 pounds)
  • Length: 470 – 595mm (18.5 to 23.43inches)
  • Width: 265 – 422 mm (10.4 to 16.6inches)
  • Height: 100 – 250 mm (3.9 to 9.8inches) 

How Big Is A 1/5 Scale RC Car

Compared to actual cars, 1/5 scale RC cars are five times smaller. However, it is probably one of the largest scales you’ll find in the RC industry.

An RC car with a 1/5 scale will have dimensions ad:

  • Weight: 60 to 80pounds
  • Length: 36 to 40inches
  • Width: 28 to 32inches
  • Height:  16 to 24inches 
1:12 Scale VS 1:5 scale

What Is The Biggest Scale RC Truck

The biggest scale RC truck is the 1/5 RAMINATOR Monster Truck.
This model weighs 80pounds, is 32 inches wide, 40 inches long, and has a height as high as 24inches. 

What Is The Smallest RC Car

The smallest RC car is the Mercedes Benz Smart car developed by Michihiro Hino, Tokyo, Japan, in 2002.
This RC car has a 1/90 scale, a 25mm length, 7mm width, weight lesser than 1pounds, and height between 3 to 5mm. 

Conclusion

Knowing the scale and size of your RC car is essential when choosing your preferred RC model.

The scale size will determine where you can drive your RC car and how you use them.

Seasoned racers will love bigger RC cars with a 1/5 scale since they have a larger dimension. On the other hand, 1/8 0r 1/10 RC cars can suffice for any purpose.