D&D Miniatures Size Guide: 28mm, 32mm and Creature Base Sizes Explained

Getting the dnd miniatures size right before you print saves time, filament, and a fair bit of frustration. The numbers on product listings (28mm, 32mm, 54mm, 75mm) can feel opaque, but each one has a practical effect on how a figure looks on the table, how it fits on a base, and whether it sits alongside the rest of your collection without looking out of place.

What scale are D&D miniatures?

Traditional D&D miniatures were made to 25mm scale, where an adult human figure stands roughly 25mm to eye level. That became the baseline for the hobby, and plenty of older collections still use it.

Most modern 3D-printed ranges, including everything we stock at TabletopXtra, are produced at 28mm or 32mm heroic scale. The two are close but noticeable when mixed: a 32mm heroic figure looks slightly taller and chunkier next to a 28mm one. For a consistent-looking party, pick one scale and stick to it.

We break down the practical differences in our 28mm vs 32mm vs 35mm heroic scale buyer's guide if you want the full comparison.

How tall are 28mm miniatures?

The measurement refers to scale height, not total model height. At 28mm scale, a standing adult human figure typically comes out at 28–30mm from foot to eye level, with a couple more millimetres to the top of the head. A 32mm figure runs around 5–10% taller and proportionally broader. Large creatures at 32mm scale, such as an ogre or warhorse, might stand 40–60mm tall; a Huge creature like a giant or adult dragon can reach 80–100mm. Exact heights vary between sculptors, but those ranges give a workable guide.

D&D miniature size chart: base sizes by creature size

D&D defines creature sizes in terms of grid space occupied (Tiny, Small, Medium, Large, Huge, Gargantuan) but doesn't set miniature base sizes. The conventions below are widely used across the hobby and work well on a standard 1-inch grid where each square represents 5 feet.

These are conventions, not official rules. Some designers sculpt their models on pre-attached bases at these sizes; others leave the choice to you. Most of the 3D-printed ranges we carry follow this chart, which keeps things manageable when mixing lines from different designers.

What size base for 28mm miniatures?

For standard adventurers and humanoid enemies at 28mm or 32mm scale, a 25mm round base is the default. It fits a single 1-inch grid square and matches the base size that comes with most hero-scale models.

Larger creatures need more footprint. A mounted warhorse or an ogre typically sits on a 50mm base, covering two squares on the grid. Huge creatures like giants or large dragons go on 75mm, and Gargantuan models take 100mm or larger depending on the sculpt's pose.

The Artisan Guild Lady Giustizia shows how scale ranging works in practice. At the standard 28/32mm variant, she sits on a 25mm base like any other hero. Scale up to the 75mm collector version and you're looking at a display piece that needs a much larger base to stay stable.

For creature-scale examples, the Cerulean Dragon from RN Estudio (£22.99) occupies a Huge or Gargantuan footprint at 32mm scale, so 75mm or 100mm base depending on the specific pose.

Browse by scale

If scale consistency matters for your collection, the Artisan Guild range gives good flexibility. Hero models come in 28/32mm as standard, with upscaled variants at 35mm, 40mm, 54mm, and 75mm, so you can match whatever scale the rest of your group is using or scale up for a centrepiece model.

Frequently asked questions

Are D&D miniatures 28mm or 32mm?

It depends on the range. Older commercial miniatures tend to be 28mm. Most modern 3D-printed ranges, including the ones we stock, are made at 32mm heroic scale. The two are compatible on the same table, though figures from different scales will look slightly different in size next to each other. For a consistent-looking party, check the scale listed on each product and aim to keep your adventurers in the same range.

What are 32mm miniatures in inches?

A standard human-height figure at 32mm scale stands roughly 1.25 inches to eye level. Including the head, most 32mm models come out at around 1.4 to 1.5 inches tall in total. Large creatures at this scale typically run 1.5 to 2.5 inches; Huge creatures like giants or adult dragons can reach 3 to 4 inches.

What base size do I need for a Medium creature?

A 25mm round base is standard for Medium creatures. This covers most humanoid characters and enemies: humans, elves, orcs, tieflings, gnolls, and similar. On a standard 1-inch battlemap, a 25mm base fills exactly one grid square.

Does base size affect gameplay?

D&D 5e doesn't set specific base sizes in the rules, but following the conventions in the chart above makes tracking positions on a grid much cleaner. A 50mm base for a Large creature makes it clear that it occupies a 2×2 square, which matters for movement and attack reach. Using the wrong base size doesn't break any written rule, but it tends to create confusion mid-combat, especially in tight spaces.