What thickness styrene should I use for walls?

Real building walls are typically 100-300mm thick. At 1:76 (OO gauge), 100mm walls scale to 1.3mm — use 1.0 or 1.5mm styrene. At 1:48, use 2.0mm. For vehicle body panels (1-2mm real), use 0.13-0.25mm sheet in most scales.

Does exact scale thickness matter?

Not always. Use the nearest available thickness. Structural rigidity matters more than exact scale for walls and panels. Thin skins (aircraft panels) should be as close to scale as possible for realism. Interior walls can be thicker for strength.

What sizes does Evergreen styrene come in?

Evergreen styrene sheets are available in 0.13, 0.25, 0.38, 0.50, 0.75, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 and 3.0mm thicknesses. Standard sheet size is 150 x 300mm. They also produce strips, rods and tubes in various sizes.

When should I use brass instead of styrene?

Use brass sheet for parts that need to be very thin (under 0.25mm), need soldering, or require strength at small size. Brass is essential for photo-etch-style details, fine railings, and structural elements that styrene cannot handle.

ModelCalcs

Sheet Thickness Calculator — Scale Material Selection

Find the correct scale styrene or brass sheet thickness for walls, panels and skins.

Real-World Thickness (mm)

Actual thickness to model

Scale

Material

How We Calculate This

Divides the real-world thickness by the scale ratio, then finds the nearest commercially available sheet thickness.

Formula

Scale thickness = Real thickness / Scale ratio
Nearest available = Closest standard sheet size
Actual real-world equivalent = Available size x Scale ratio

Frequently Asked Questions

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Last updated: February 2026

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