RC cars scale sizes Guide [all sizes and weights by scales]
RC (Radio Controlled) cars come in various sizes, with the size determining its scale. The size of an RC car refers to its dimensions, while its scale refers to how its size compares to its real-life counterpart.
The world of RC (Radio-Controlled) cars can be divided into two parts. The first part is the replica RC cars. These RC cars are display pieces and are more like scale model kits. The scale of replica RC cars means that the ratios of the model are the same as the origin.
The second is the hobby-grade RC cars. The scale of hobby-grade RC cars has become synonymous with their size since most of them are not replicas of life-sized cars.
RC scale size explained easy
Tthe size of the car is described using a ratio or fraction like 1:10 or 1/10, which is referred to as the scale. The scale describes how big or small your RC car is compared to real-life full-sized automobiles.
The higher the scale; the smaller the size of your RC, the lower the scale; the bigger the size.
To explain this best, an RC car the size of an actual car will be a 1/1 scale. As the size of the RC car gets smaller, the scale gets bigger – a 1/64 scale RC car is some of the smallest RC cars.
The most common scales in the RC car hobby are 1:6, 1:8, 1:10, and 1:12.
Scale Sizes of RC Cars That Have been Modeled After Real Vehicles
One of the most popular types of RC cars is replicas, which are models of real vehicles, such as cars, trucks, and motorcycles. Automakers that license RC car replica makers usually require that the models be properly scaled to a ratio comparable to the real car.
The best scale for replica RC cars is 1:10 and 1:12, which offers a good balance between detail and size. These replicas are typically made with a high level of detail and accuracy, making their scale great for display purposes.
An example of a replica RC car is the Tamiya 1:10 Tyrell P34 SixWheeler F103. This RC car is a model of the famous Tyrell P34 Formula One race car. It features a highly detailed body, with accurate decals and markings.
Examples of common replica RC cars’ scale sizes
1:10 Scale: This scale is a popular choice for replica RC cars, offering a good balance between size and detail. Cars in this scale typically measure between 17 and 22 inches in length, providing a good size for displaying the high level of accuracy and detail of the replica.
1:12 Scale: This scale is another popular choice for replica RC cars, offering a smaller size that’s still big enough to show off the intricate details. Cars in this scale typically measure between 14 and 16 inches in length, making them easy to handle and display.
1:24 Scale: This is one of the smallest scales for replica RC cars and is often used for collecting and displaying. Cars in this scale typically measure between 5 and 8 inches in length, making them small and compact, while still providing enough detail to be recognizable as a replica.
Scale Sizes of Hobby-Grade RC Cars
Hobby-grade RC cars are built to handle the demands of racing and off-roading, making them capable of handling rough terrain and high speeds. They are typically larger and faster than replica RC cars, and are designed to take on the toughest conditions.
Hobby RC cars are typically available in a variety of scales, but the most common scales are 1:8, 1:10, and 1:12.
With hobby grade RC cars the scale has become synonymous with size since many of these RC cars are not modeled on a life-sized car. The scale of hobby grades RC cars usually reflects their size, and most 1:10 hobby grade RC cars will share similar dimensions.
examples of common scales for hobby-grade RC cars
1:10 scale: This is one of the most popular scales for RC cars and offers a good balance between size and speed. Cars in this scale typically measure between 17.6 and 21.6 inches in length.
1:8 scale: This is a larger scale and is typically used for off-road racing and bashing. Cars in this scale are 17.5 – 21.6 inches in length and are designed to handle rough terrain and high speeds.
1:5 scale: This is one of the largest scales for RC cars and offers maximum speed, performance, and durability. Cars on this scale can measure up to 30 inches in length and are built for extreme off-road conditions. The Traxxas 1:5 Xmaxx is a popular example of this scale.
How Big are RC cars
a 1/24-scale RC car sizes
Models with a 1:24 ratio can be considered small as they usually have a small size and dimension.
A 1/24 RC car will have measurements like:
- Weight: 1 to 1.98 pounds
- length: 3 to 7inches
- width: 3.46inches
- height: 4.65inches
a 1/16 RC car scale size
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.
A 1/16 RC car dimensions will vary between:
- Weight: 2.45 to 4.54 kg (2.8 to 3.3lbs)
- Length: 10 to 14inches (272 – 356mm)
- width: 3.5 to 6.5inches
- height: 2.5 to 3.9inches
a 1/12 RC scale dimensions
1/12 RC cars are twelve times smaller than real cars. For this reason, they will have these dimensions:
- Weight: 5.4 to 10pounds
- length: 14 to 16 inches (36 – 38cm)
- Width: 7 to 7.3inches (178 – 185mm)
- Height: 4 to 4.92inches (102 – 125mm)
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 20 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)
a 1/5 scale RC car is the biggest size
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 as:
- Weight: 60 to 80pounds
- length: 30 to 40inches
- width: 28 to 32inches
- height: 16 to 24inches
RC cars’ scale size range
Size and scales are often confused because each scale has its typical dimensions, and those dimensions are a range of measurements and not one specific number.
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, and not just its scale:
- 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 each type of RC car will have a different scale size. A 1\10 RC buggy will have smaller dimensions than a 1\10 monster truck. So the range of scale sizes will also vary with the type of RC car you choose.
Here is a chart with different RC scale sizes:
| scale | Measurement | 1/28 | 1/16 | 1/12 | 1/10 | 1/8 | 1/5 |
| Weight | 1 to 1.98 pounds | 5.4 – 10lbs | 2.8 – 3.3lbs | 3.2 – 11.2lbs | 5.4 to 10lbs | 60 – 80lbs |
| Length | 3 – 7” | 7.62- 17.78cm | 10 – 14” | 25.4- 35.56cm | 14 – 16” | 35.56- 40.64cm | 17.5 – 21.6” | 44.45- 54.86cm | 18. -23.43” | 45.72- 59.5cm | 30 – 40” | 76.2- 101.6cm |
| Width | 3.46” | 8.87cm | 3.5 – 6.5” | 8.9- 16.5cm | 7 – 7.3” | 17.78- 18.54cm | 7.8 – 14.4” | 19.8- 36.5cm | 10.4 – 16.6” | 26.4- 42.1cm | 28 – 32” | 71.1- 81.3cm |
| Height | 4.65” | 11.8cm | 2.5 to 3.9″ | 6.35- 9.9cm | 4 – 4.92” | 10.16- 12.5cm | 4.2 – 9.1” | 10.6- 23.1cm | 3.9 – 9.8” | 9.9- 24.9cm | 16 – 24” | 40.6- 61cm |
RC cars with the same scale Don’t necessarily have the same size
Each RC cars differ in size even if they have the same scale.
When it comes to scale, its important to understand that the scale is relative to the actual car’s size. A monster truck is bigger in size than a truck, and then a car, and when you scale down a car to an RC car, you take the whole size and shrink it.
Therefore, a monster truck on a scale of 1\10 will be bigger in size than a 1\10 RC drift car.
Another example, 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.
If you have a 1/10 drift car, it may weigh 4kg, 18 inches long, 13 inches wide, and 8.5 inches high.
| Size | 1\10 RC Drift Car | 1\10 RC Truck |
| Length | 18 Inches | 21.6 Inches |
| Width | 13 Inches | 14.5 Inches |
| Height | 8.5 Inches | 9.12 Inches |
Which RC car is the biggest
The biggest RC car in the world is the 1:3 scale Mammuth Rewarron RC car.
It is three times smaller than the full-sized vehicle and the only 1:3 scale RC car globally. This RC model weighs 176 pounds, 72 inches long, 35 inches wide, and 29 inches tall.
it’s one-third the size of a real auto, it’s powered by a 200 or 250cc 4-stroke engine, giving it a top speed of over 40 mph.
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.
This car holds the Guinness World Record for the smallest radio-controlled car
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.
Sources used for this article
http://www.axialracing.com/blog_posts/1073910474
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1:12_scale
https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-meaning-of-the-ratios-written-on-RC-toys-eg-1-14-1-24
