Why do wargames use inches?

Most wargames use inches as they originated in the US and UK. Inches provide convenient distances at 28mm scale — 1 inch on the table represents roughly 2 metres at 1:56 scale. Some games (mainly European) use centimetres instead.

Can I use centimetres instead of inches?

Some players convert inches to centimetres (roughly 1 inch = 2.5cm). This slightly shrinks the battlefield but maintains proportions. Some game systems officially support cm play. Check your rules for an official conversion.

What is a standard wargaming table size?

Warhammer 40K uses 44x60 inches (1118x1524mm) for standard games. Age of Sigmar uses 44x60 or 30x44 inches. Bolt Action uses 48x72 inches (1220x1830mm). Kill Team and skirmish games use 22x30 inches (559x762mm).

How do I measure distances accurately?

Use a tape measure or a set of pre-cut range rulers in common distances (3, 6, 9, 12, 24 inches). Laser cut MDF range rulers are popular. Measure from the closest point of the model base to the closest point of the target base.

ModelCalcs

Range Ruler Calculator — Game Distances

Convert game inches to table distances and check weapon ranges.

Game Distance (inches)

Weapon range or movement distance

Display UnitSelect your preferred measurement unit

How We Calculate This

Simple unit conversion between game inches and metric measurements for tabletop gaming.

Conversion

1 inch = 25.4 mm = 2.54 cm
Common ranges: 6" = 152mm, 12" = 305mm, 24" = 610mm, 48" = 1219mm

Frequently Asked Questions

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Last updated: February 2026

All calculations are estimates. Always verify quantities before purchasing materials.