32mm Scale Miniatures: What It Means and How to Choose the Right Figures for Your Game
Scale is one of those things that trips up a lot of people early on, and honestly even experienced hobbyists can get caught off-handed when mixing ranges. So let me break down what 32mm actually means, why it matters practically, and how to pick figures that work together on your table.
What Does 32mm Scale Actually Mean?
The number refers to the height of a "heroic" human figure from base to eye level, not the top of the head. A 32mm miniature stands roughly 32mm to the eyes, which in real-world terms puts them slightly taller and chunkier in proportion than true 1:56 scale. This heroic exaggeration, bigger hands, broader shoulders, slightly oversized weapons, is deliberate. It makes detail easier to paint and reads better at arm's length across a gaming table.
This is the scale that Warhammer 40,000 shifted to around 2017 and it has since become the dominant standard for modern sci-fi and fantasy wargaming. Most third-party and independent sculptors now target 32mm as their default, which is a big part of why the Atlan Forge range we stock sits comfortably at that scale.
How to Check Compatibility Before You Buy
Before mixing figures from different manufacturers, there are a few quick checks worth doing.
1. Look at the base size recommendation. Most 32mm infantry come supplied for 25mm or 32mm round bases. If a manufacturer is vague about scale, their base recommendation tells you a lot. Figures crammed onto 25mm bases are probably on the smaller end; figures with breathing room on 32mm bases are likely scaled correctly for modern ranges.
2. Compare against a known reference figure. If you already have a 40K Space Marine or similar, hold it next to any new purchase. The Hades Cultists from Atlan Forge are a good human-scale infantry reference point and sit squarely in line with modern 32mm ranges.
3. Check the sculptor's notes. Reputable designers will specify whether their figures are "true scale" or "heroic 32mm." True scale looks slightly slim next to heroic figures. Fine within a single army but can look mismatched if you mix them heavily.
Choosing Figures for Your Game Rather Than Just Your Shelf
Gaming and display painting pull in different directions sometimes. Here is how I think about it.
For matched-play or competitive games, consistency across your force is everything. You want all your infantry at the same heroic 32mm proportion so nothing looks out of place or, worse, gives opponents grief about model size. A coherent sci-fi force built around Atlan Forge figures, say the Angelic Retaliators as your core, will look tight and unified on the table because the range is internally consistent.
For narrative or open play, you have more room to be creative with scale mixing. A large creature or vehicle sitting 20 percent bigger than "correct" scale actually adds drama. The Arctodus Missile Vehicle is a good example of how a vehicle piece anchors a force visually without needing to match infantry height precisely.
For display or collector pieces, scale matters less than silhouette and presence. Something like the Angelic Dominators works as a centrepiece or shelf piece regardless of whether you ever put it in a game, because the sculpt is doing the work.
A Few Painting Notes Specific to 32mm
The heroic proportions of 32mm figures actually help you as a painter. Larger flat armour panels give you room to work wet blending or zenithal-primed highlighting properly. Recesses are deep enough that a single coat of Nuln Oil or Agrax Earthshade settles cleanly without flooding detail. I find NMM and OSL effects read better at 32mm than at 28mm because you simply have more surface to work the gradient across.
Basing at 32mm is also more forgiving. A 32mm round base gives you enough real estate for some actual texture, tufts, and scatter without the figure looking like it is standing in a diorama rather than a base.
Get the scale right first and the rest of the hobby decisions get a lot easier.