What Size RC Car is Right for Me? RC Car Scales Explained

So, you’re ready to dive into the exciting world of RC cars, but with so many sizes available, it can be tough to know where to start.
Don’t worry, we’re here to help! Understanding RC car scales is the first step to finding the perfect ride for your needs and driving style.

What is an RC Car Scale?

RC car scales are pretty simple. They tell you how much smaller the model is compared to a real, full-size vehicle. A 1/10 scale RC car means the model is 10 times smaller than the real car it’s based on.

Finding the Right Scale for You

Here’s a breakdown of common RC scales to help you decide which one is right for you:

• 1/28 Scale: These are tiny! Think micro RC cars that can fit in the palm of your hand. Great for indoor fun and tight spaces.
  • Example: MiniZ Cars
• 1/24 Scale: Still quite small, offering a good balance of detail and maneuverability. Popular for indoor racing and crawling.
  • Example: Axial SCX24 Jeep Wrangler, Losi Micro-T
• 1/18 Scale: A popular size, offering a good mix of performance and scale detail. Many popular on-road and off-road cars come in this scale.
  • Example: Traxxas LaTrax Rally, TRX-4M Mini Crawlers
• 1/16 Scale: Slightly larger than 1/18, often chosen for off-road buggies and trucks.
  • Example: Traxxas Mini E-Revo 4X4 VXL
• 1/14 Scale: Larger scale with impressive detail. Often used for on-road cars and trucks.
  • Example: Tamiya King Hauler
• 1/10 Scale: One of the most popular scales, offering a huge variety of cars, trucks, and buggies. Great for all types of RC driving.
  • Example: Traxxas Rustler 4X4 VXL, Arrma Granite 4X4 BLX
• 1/8 Scale: Large and powerful! Known for high speeds and ruggedness, often used for buggies, truggies, and monster trucks.
  • Example: Arrma Kraton 6S BLX, Traxxas Sledge
• 1/7 Scale: Even bigger than 1/8 scale, these are serious machines with incredible speed and power.
  • Example: Arrma Felony & Arrma Infraction
• 1/5 Scale: Massive! These are the largest common RC scale, often used for gas-powered buggies and trucks.
  • Example: Traxxas X-Maxx 8S

Important Note: While the scale gives you a general idea of size, the actual dimensions can vary depending on the specific vehicle being modeled.

Still not sure?

Consider these factors when choosing your RC scale:

• Your experience level: Smaller scales are often easier for beginners to handle.
• Where you’ll be driving: A small apartment might be better suited for a 1/28 scale car, while a large backyard is perfect for a 1/8 scale truck.
• Your budget: Larger scales tend to be more expensive.
• What kind of driving you want to do: Do you want to race, bash, crawl, or just have fun cruising around?

No matter what scale you choose, the world of RC cars offers endless fun and excitement. Happy driving!

Here is the chart comparing the sizes of RC trucks in different scales:

 

RC Scale	Approximate RC Truck Length	Comparison to Full-Size Truck	Example RC Model
1/28	8 inches	About the size of a standard smartphone	Kyosho Mini-Z Monster
1/16	17 inches	About the size of a large shoebox	Traxxas Mini Revo
1/10	23 inches	About the size of a large shoebox	Traxxas Slash
1/8	29 inches	A bit longer than a typical keyboard	Arrma Kraton 6S BLX, Traxxas Sledge
1/7	31 inches	Almost as tall as a 2-year-old child	Arrma Infraction, Arrma Felony
1/5	46 inches	Almost as wide as a single couch.	Traxxas X-Maxx 8S, HPI Baja 5B