How much does the average modeller spend per year?

There is no authoritative survey, but figures commonly cited on UK modelling forums put a casual hobby at roughly £300-£800 per year — though spending varies enormously with scale, subject and ambition. Beginners often spend more up front on tools and paints; experienced modellers tend to concentrate spending on kits and aftermarket. Use this planner to set your own realistic figure rather than aiming for an "average".

What is a good budget split?

A common split is 40% kits, 25% paints and consumables, 15% tools, 10% aftermarket, and 10% events (shows, magazines, club fees). Adjust based on your priorities — some modellers spend more on aftermarket, others on events.

How can I make my budget go further?

Buy kits at model shows where deals are common. Purchase paint sets rather than individual pots. Share aftermarket sets with club members. Look for second-hand tools. Set a monthly limit and track spending in a spreadsheet.

Should I include hobby events in my budget?

Yes. Model shows (Telford, Scale ModelWorld) have admission fees plus travel and accommodation. IPMS club subscriptions, modelling magazines, and reference books are ongoing costs. Budget 10-15% of your total for these activities.

ModelCalcs

Budget Calculator — Annual Hobby Spending Planner

Plan your annual hobby budget across kits, paints, tools and events to keep spending on track.

Monthly Hobby Budget (£)

Total you can spend on the hobby each month before any savings

Kits (%)

Share for new kits (typically 35-45%)

Paints & Consumables (%)

Paints, glue, putty, filler, sandpaper (typically 20-30%)

Tools (%)

Knives, files, airbrush, cutting mat (typically 10-15%)

Aftermarket (%)

Resin/PE detail sets, decals, masks (typically 5-15%)

Events & Subscriptions (%)

Shows, clubs, magazines

How We Calculate This

Removes any savings set-aside first, splits the remaining (spendable) monthly budget across categories using your percentages, then projects the annual totals — optionally uplifted for inflation.

Formula

Spendable monthly = Monthly budget × (1 − Savings% ÷ 100)
Category monthly = Spendable monthly × (Category% ÷ 100)
Category annual = Category monthly × 12 × (1 + Inflation% ÷ 100)
Annual budget = Spendable monthly × 12 × (1 + Inflation% ÷ 100)

With the defaults (0% savings, 0% inflation) the spendable budget equals your monthly budget, the inflation factor is 1, and the five category annual lines sum exactly to the headline Annual budget.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Last updated: February 2026

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