Understanding 1:700 Scale
The 1:700 scale is a proportional ratio where every 1 unit of measurement on your drawing, model, or plan represents exactly 700 of those same units in the real world. This makes 1:700 a small-scale representation, meaning objects appear quite small on paper.
For example, 1 mm on a 1:700 drawing represents 700 mm (70.0 cm) in reality. Conversely, a real-world measurement of 1 meter would appear as 1.43 mm on a 1:700 scale drawing.
1:700 Scale Quick Reference Table
Common conversions at 1:700 scale for quick reference.
| Real World | On Drawing (1:700) | Imperial Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 0.5 m | 0.71 mm | 0.71 thou |
| 1 m | 1.43 mm | 1.43 thou |
| 2 m | 2.86 mm | 2.86 thou |
| 5 m | 7.14 mm | 7.14 thou |
| 10 m | 14.3 mm | 14.29 thou |
| 25 m | 35.7 mm | 1.41″ |
| 50 m | 71.4 mm | 2.81″ |
| 100 m | 142.9 mm | 5.62″ |
When to Use 1:700 Scale
The 1:700 scale is a standard in model & miniature work. Here are the most common applications:
- Waterline ship models
- Fleet dioramas
- WWII naval models
How to Convert 1:700 Scale Step by Step
- 1Identify the scale ratio. You are working with 1:700, which means the drawing is 700× smaller than reality.
- 2Real → Scaled: Divide the real measurement by 700. Example: 5 m = 7.1 mm on paper.
- 3Scaled → Real: Multiply the drawing measurement by 700. Example: 20 mm on drawing = 14,000 mm (14.00 m) in reality.
1:700 Scale FAQ
- What does 1:700 scale mean?
- A 1:700 scale means that 1 unit on your drawing or model represents 700 of the same units in real life. For example, 1 mm on a 1:700 drawing equals 0.7 m in reality.
- How do I convert real measurements to 1:700 scale?
- To convert a real-world measurement to 1:700 scale, divide the real measurement by 700. For instance, a real wall that is 5 meters long would be drawn as 7.1 mm on a 1:700 drawing.
- How do I convert 1:700 scale back to real size?
- Multiply the measurement on your 1:700 drawing by 700 to get the real-world size. If something measures 20 mm on your drawing, the real size is 14,000 mm (14.00 m).
- What is 1:700 scale used for?
- The 1:700 scale is commonly used in model & miniature applications. It is ideal for representing objects and spaces at a manageable size while maintaining proportional accuracy.
- Is 1:700 scale metric or imperial?
- Scale ratios like 1:700 are unit-independent — they work with any measurement system. Whether you measure in millimeters, centimeters, inches, or feet, the ratio remains the same: 1 unit on paper equals 700 units in reality.
Popular 1:700 Conversions
Quick links to specific unit conversions at 1:700 scale.