What Are The RC Scale Sizes?

Radio Controlled vehicles are small-sized models of real-world cars, boats, tractors, jets, etc. They come in various shapes and sizes and are ideal for indoor and outdoor purposes. But before you purchase any of these miniature vehicles, you must understand the scale sizes.

So, what are the RC scale sizes?

RC scale sizes are the indicators of the size fo the RC vehicle that is compared to the real vehicle it’s molded after. You can find RCs that come in smaller sizes of 1:28, 1:64,  1:10, etc. A 1:10 scale means the RC vehicle is 1/10th of the size compared to the real vehicle. 

But the Scale Sizes depend majorly on the real vehicle size you’re considering. A larger RC scale means a larger RC vehicle. RC cars are modeled after real cars, so a 1/10 scale jeep car will be bigger than a 1/10 scale BMW.

Likewise, you have to consider other scale sizes that are built not exactly on the size and design of a real car. Let’s go through everything about RC scales and help  you choose the right RC vehicle. 

What Does The Scale Mean On RC Cars?

The scale of an RC car is the size of the miniature vehicle compared to the size of the original car that it is modeled after. For instance, a Ford Mustang RC car is created by modeling the complete design of an actual-size Ford Mustang.

However, the RC version is on a 1/18 scale, implying that the RC vehicle is 18 times smaller than the actual car. On the other hand, if you’ve got an RC truck that is 1/10 in scale, then that means that the RC truck is exactly 10 times smaller than the real size of the same truck in real life.

Why Do RC Cars Have Scales?

RC cars have scales to describe how small they are in contrast with the size of the actual car they’re modeling. Their manufacturers frequently state their RC scales to inform customers about the actual car’s size. Nearly all RC vehicles have the same scaling system.

The final size of the RC vehicle, therefore, depends on the size of the actual car. 

The RC car scales enable customers to understand how large or small the RC car is before purchasing it. Consequently, as a user, you can select the ideal RC car in the scale and size you want it to be to ensure that you enjoy your time playing with it alongside your friends.

It’s worth noting that there are some electric cars for 13-year-olds to drive, so your little brother isn’t left out of the fun.

What Are The RC Scale Sizes?

There are various scale sizes for RC vehicles, such as 1:4, 1:8, 1:10, 1:18, and 1:24. The most common scale you’d see around is the 1/8^th scale (or 1:8 scale). Notably, mini-radio-controlled cars come in much smaller sizes: as small as 1:32 or 1:64.

Another thing to understand is that the scale of an RC is compared to the size of its actual vehicle. Thus, two vehicles of the same RC scale can be of different sizes. For example, an RC truck of 1:12 scale will be larger than an RC Toyota Camry with a scale of 1:12.

A truck is far larger than a saloon car. So their miniature versions of the same scale will invariably be different. Additionally, such words as “scale RC,” “scale model,” or “small-scale RC” explain an RC car that isn’t only a reduced version of a larger, actual car in size but also an original, uncompromising replica in shape, design, painting, and efficiency in performance.

Now, let’s consider the following RC Scale Sizes below.

Boat Scales

RC boats can either be as small as your palm or bulky enough that you’d require a trailer to move them around. It’s good to note that these vehicles are scaled to replicate powerboats, sailboats, racing boats, and even yachts. Additionally, you can purchase RC submarines.

Amazingly, RC water vehicles are so famous that some folks even compete in genuine boating competitions controlled by International Sailing Federation protocols.

This latter organization (the ISF) also establishes a set of scale metrics based on maximum length and draft. The draft is described as the vertical distance between the keel’s bottom and the waterline. These sizes are measured in millimeters instead of a given ratio.

Slot Vehicles

Most radio-controlled cars remarkably are created to operate freely across the surface of the ground. On the other hand, slot cars are small-sized race cars that are electrically powered and move in a slot on a track. It’s basically radio-controlled Hot Wheels.

When we consider RC slot cars, scale models which are more realistic can be described as scale appearing. This implies that they are created to replicate their full-sized models’ exact structure and appearance.

Essentially, slot car usually has scale sizes of 1:24 to even amazing-smaller scales (the HO scale); case study, 1:64 scale mini-RCs.

Gas-Fueled RC Cars

These RC cars are somewhat luxurious, as they operate as much as normal cars. They can incorporate superfast motors, giving you up to 60 MPH speeds. It works using a transmitter. One distinction between this model and other kinds of RC cars is that the gas-powered RC cars come with engines modeled after real cars.

The recommended scale size for gasoline-powered RC cars is 1:5 of the original car size. The main work occurs in the transmitter, except when you want to reconstruct your engine.

Notably, the transmitter is one of the most common aspects of all RC car types. It controls the car on when to go, but it also governs the braking system. Asides from the radio-controlled servo, which controls the RC car’s steering itself, the transmitter also plays another interesting role.

It incorporates a brake lever that inhibits the car and ensures that the car stops or slows down when turning, such that users can control the speeds more firmly. Interestingly, the transmitter also governs the RC car’s ability to pause amid those transmissions. Another thing to note is that all transmitters are designed in the same clear process.

Nitro Powered RC Cars

Nitro-powered RC cars incorporate physical brakes that require regular maintenance and care, as you’d do on a traditional vehicle.

They come with little discs and brake pads, similar to traditional cars, that facilitate the braking process. Just as with electronic variation, excessive braking can have adverse effects.

This is so because engaging the brake can lock up the wheel or cause excessive heating to create what we know as the motor or ESC. Nitro-powered RC cars usually require an RC scale size of ⅛ or 1/10 of the original vehicle.

Electric Powered RC Cars

This is the most well-known form of RC car available. Typically, the electric-powered RC car comes with an in-built battery that charges via a port by connecting it to an electrical power outlet.

The charging times for this RC car vary depending on the battery age and usage of the car. Also, Electric RC cars have a recommended RC scale size of 1:10 of the original vehicle.

Monster Truck RC Vehicle

This vehicle comes in scale sizes of various kinds 1/8, 1/16, 1/18, etc. It incorporates an extra-large set of back tires that will make it easier for you to forget about its size, as its performance is equally top-notch.

Comparison Chart For RC Scale Size

Since there are a few different RC scale sizes available, you need the right scaling size for each before you get one. We’ll see the common scale sizes, 10, 12, and 14.

The Scale Size of 1/10 RC Vehicles

Type of vehicle	Size in mm (LxBxHxWheelbase)	Size in inches (LxBxHxWheelbase)	Weight
Convertible	568 x 296 x 214 x 335	22.6 x 11.65 x 8.4 x 13.2	2.44 kg/5/37lbs
SUV	445x196x 105	17.5 x 7.8 x 4.2	1.45 kg/3.19bs
Buggy	413 x 250 x 178 x 286	16.25 x 9.84 x 7 x 11.25	1.64 kg/3.61lbs
Truck	549 x 367 x 232 x 329	21.6 x 14.5 x 9.12 x 12.96	4.86 kg/10.71lbs

The Scale size of 1/12 RC Vehicles

Type of vehicle	Size in mm (LxBxHxWheelbase)	Size in inches  (LxBxHxWheelbase)	Weight
Trail King Size	390x252x 155	15.35 x 9.96 x 6.1	1.5kg/3.3lbs
Buggy	420 x 249 x 180 x 285	16.25 x 9.84 x 7.09 x 11.25	2.97kg/6.56lbs
Truck	320 x 127 x 226	12.6 x 5 x 8.9	1kg/2.2lbs

The Size of 1/14 RC Vehicles

Type of vehicle	Size in mm (LxBxH)	Size in inches (LxBxH)	Weight
Brushless car	294 x 234 x 100	11.61 x 9.25 3.94	0.9kg / 2lbs
Monster car	281 x 193 x 160	11.1 x 7.6 x 6.3	0.8kg / 1.95lbs
Truck	295 x 259 x 188	11.65 x 10.2 x 7.44	1.50kg/ 3.31lbs

 How To Choose A Perfect Size RC Car?

There are some factors to consider before outrightly picking the ideal RC car for yourself. Consider the following factors below.

Terrain You’ll Ride

The terrain you’d be driving your RC vehicle matters a lot. This is because there are some places you can’t ride some RC cars on without destroying their motors or even structures. Some vehicles are best fit for grass, track, sand, rocks, or gravel.

The grass is arguably the most renowned and used surface to ride RC cars, and it’s one of the toughest regions to ride your radio-controlled cars because grass creates so much friction, impeding your vehicle’s movement as it moves.

Annoyingly, taller grass is even tougher to drive through than shorter grass, so always remember that. Monster trucks, rock crawlers, stadium trucks, and short course trucks are ideal for such a terrain.

Pavement

On the flip side is the pavement, which is probably the smoothest surface to ride through. It offers the least impedance to RC vehicles, so you can control your RC car without bothering about resistance.

Any kind of vehicle can drive on the pavement. However, it’s worthy to note that some vehicles will be more entertaining to drive on this surface than others. Monster trucks, cars, rock crawlers, buggy, stadium trucks, and short course trucks can commute on this surface comfortably.

Offroad

Dirt and gravel are typical as simple to commute on as pavement when considering what vehicles are effective. Moreover, a vehicle like a car or buggy will struggle to drive through this terrain, whereas some other vehicles, such as rally cars, do very well on dirt.

Rock crawlers, buggy, monster trucks, short course trucks, stadium trucks, etc., are very effective on this kind of terrain.

Dunes

For dunes—which aren’t the best terrains to drive through, especially for mechanical vehicles—you’d need to pay more care to the vehicles used in this terrain. Some vehicles are ideal for riding on dunes as they can handle the pressure and all the ruckus emanating from the entire experience.

These vehicles can work efficiently on this terrain: the monster truck, buggy, stadium truck, short course truck, and rock crawler.

Power

The next thing you want to note is the power you’d use in your RC motors. There are two ways to power your RC vehicle—gas engine or battery (electrically).

Gas Powered RC

Gas-powered RC vehicles are more powerful and faster. While some variations are developed to run on pure gas, others function on a combination of gas and oil. Moreover, some others comprise nitromethane (glow fuel or Nitro fuel). On the bad side, this kind of vehicle tends to be bulkier and heavier. Also, they tend to be messier and may need frequent tune-ups.

Electric RC

However, electrically-powered vehicles are more suitable for beginners, and some can be nitro-powered. Even though they provide as much power as the gas RC engines, they still come with a powerful system that quickly delivers the power to the tires. This alternative is lighter, cheaper, quieter, and easier to maintain. But it is slower than the gas-powered counterpart.

Type of Vehicle

Typically, there are three kinds of RC vehicles: car, buggy, and truck. Let’s talk about each briefly.

The RC car is an ideal option if you’re considering speed, as it can provide you with an average of 40+ MPH. Howbeit, some cars can even surpass 100+ MPH. There are a handful of RC cars, namely; drift, on-road, and rally cars.

Drift cars are most times electrically powered and awesome for smooth surfaces. On-road cars are suitable for racing around on asphalt or cement surfaces. In contrast, rally cars are hybrid, as you can ride them both on track and off-road. But they’re not an ideal choice for off-road riding.

RC Trucks are ideal if you prefer to have fun off-road. They comprise monster truck stadium trucks and short course trucks.

Monster trucks are suitable for mudding and bashing off-road. Short course trucks are a more competitive option, as they are durable for racing. Stadium trucks are a hybrid option between buggy and monster trucks on the other end.

RC buggies are known. They are very effective for on-road and off-road activities. For instance, they provide you with high speed and are suitable for jumping on dirt piles. However, as 2WD, they aren’t so good with rock climbing.

Choose the Scale Size You’d prefer

When choosing an RC car to purchase, consider the scale you want to pick, whether it’s 1/10^th, 1/8^th, 1/5^th, or 1/16^th. Notably, 1/5^th is the largest scale, while 1/16^th is the smallest scale size.

Also, before purchasing, if you hope to upgrade the engine, motor, or other components, then y ensure the size you’re purchasing has several options. For instance, a mini-RC like the 1/64^th doesn’t have many options like the 1/8^th will.

Race or Not?

Are you planning to use the RC car to race or jump on gravel? Think about it. Whichever you’d prefer, there’s an RC vehicle for you. If you want to race with your RC car, you should go for a car or buggy, but you can go for a truck or buggy if you want to drive on dunes and gravel.

Kind of Motor You’d prefer

You can use two kinds of electric motors: brushed and brushless motors. Thus, find out which of the two is ideal for what you want to do. Brushed motors are the older motors; they are cheaper and more abundant than their brushless counterparts. However, they’re open to dust and sand.

Brushless motors are typically more durable, effective, faster, and more expensive. However, they are more prone to extreme temperature degradation.

2WD Vs 4WD

There are two kinds of drives for RC vehicles, similar to the main counterparts, which are 2WD (two-wheel-drive) and 4WD (four-wheel-drive). They both have various functionalities. The 2-wheel-drive is very great on low-traction surfaces.

However, this makes users better drivers in the long run. Four-wheel drives are much easier to drive. Since all the motors are active, they are very effective for muddy, murky, and tough terrains.

Bottom Line

What Are the RC Scale Sizes? There are several RC scale sizes, including 1/5th, 1/8th, 1/10th, 1/12th, and 1/16th of the actual vehicle that the RC represents. Thus, an RC vehicle is a miniature version of a real-live vehicle.

The RC can be a small-sized boat, car, buggy, trail king-sized, or monster truck. Notably, the RC scale is introduced to represent or model a fully-functional car in a smaller, more portable version. It’s worthy to note that all RC vehicles come in approximate scales.

Also, there are certain factors that help you determine the ideal size for your RC car. These include terrain, the RC car power, the type of vehicle required, whether you’d use it to race or not, and the kind of motor you want, among others.