Anime Figure Scale Sizes in cm: How Big 1/7, 1/8, and 1/4 Really Are

Anime figure scale sizes tell you how tall a figure will be before it ships from Japan, and they trip up almost every new collector. This guide gives the answer in cm first: a 1/7 scale figure is usually about 22-27 cm tall, a 1/8 is about 18-25 cm, and a 1/4 is a shelf-dominating 42-53 cm. Below is a full anime figure scale size chart in cm and inches, the simple formula behind it, and why two 1/7 figures can still be different heights.

Scale matters because it decides both the price and the space a figure needs. A jump from 1/8 to 1/7 looks small on paper but adds real centimeters and often doubles the cost. Knowing the numbers before you preorder is the difference between a figure that fits your shelf and one that does not.

Anime figure scale size chart (cm and inches)

Here is the quick reference. "Scale" is a ratio, so these are typical heights for an average adult character; taller or shorter characters shift the number. Use it to picture the figure before you buy.

Every scale figure listing at Akibato shows the manufacturer's stated height in cm, so you can match a product to this chart before you commit. If you are building a shelf, you can browse in-stock anime figures at Akibato and check each height against the numbers above.

How big is a 1/7 scale figure in cm?

A 1/7 scale figure is usually about 22-27 cm tall, which is why it is the current default for premium scale figures. The exact height depends on the character: a 170 cm character rendered at 1/7 comes out to 24.3 cm, while a shorter 160 cm character lands nearer 22.8 cm.

That 22-27 cm band is a comfortable display size. It is large enough to show fine sculpting and paint on the face and hands, but small enough to sit in a standard IKEA-style detolf cabinet without eating a full shelf. If you only ever buy one scale, 1/7 is the safest bet for detail-per-centimeter.

1/7 vs 1/8 scale: the cm difference

The most common question collectors ask is whether 1/7 or 1/8 is bigger. The answer: 1/7 is bigger, because you are dividing the character's height by a smaller number.

• 1/8 scale: about 18-25 cm. A 170 cm character becomes 21.3 cm.
• 1/7 scale: about 22-27 cm. The same 170 cm character becomes 24.3 cm.

So for the same character, moving from 1/8 to 1/7 adds roughly 3 cm. That does not sound like much, but height scales with volume, so the 1/7 version has noticeably more mass, presence, and usually a higher price. When two versions of one character exist, the scale is the fastest way to tell which is the larger, pricier release.

How to calculate any scale in cm (the formula)

Scale is not a fixed size. It is a ratio: divide the character's canonical (real-world) height by the bottom number. That single rule covers every scale you will ever see.

• 1/7 of a 175 cm character = 175 / 7 = 25 cm
• 1/8 of a 160 cm character = 160 / 8 = 20 cm
• 1/4 of a 165 cm character = 165 / 4 = 41 cm

If a product page lists a character's height, you can predict the figure's size to within a centimeter. When the height is not listed, the chart above gives you a reliable range instead.

Where prize figures, Nendoroids, figma, and Pop Up Parade fit (in cm)

Not every figure follows the scale system. Several of the most popular lines are "non-scale," meaning they are made to a fixed size regardless of the character. Here is where they land:

• Prize figures (Ichiban Kuji, SEGA, Banpresto): non-scale, typically 13-25 cm (5-10 in). Prize figures skip a fixed ratio to hit a lower price point.
• Nendoroid: about 10 cm (4 in) super-deformed chibi figures with swappable parts.
• figma: around 13-14 cm (5-6 in) articulated figures, roughly in line with 1/12 scale.
• Pop Up Parade: standardized at about 17-18 cm (7 in), sitting between 1/8 and 1/10 in visual size.
• Q Posket: around 14 cm (5-6 in), Banpresto's stylized prize line.

This is why a 10 cm Nendoroid and a 24 cm 1/7 scale of the same character are not really competitors: they solve different display goals. For a full breakdown of scale versus prize sculpts, see our guide on the difference between prize figures and scale figures, and the 10 cm Nendoroid explained and Pop Up Parade line explained.

Why two 1/7 figures can be different heights

Two figures can both say "1/7" on the box and still differ by several centimeters. That is not an error; it follows directly from the formula.

• Character height: a 1/7 of a 190 cm character is 27 cm, while a 1/7 of a 150 cm character is only 21 cm.
• Pose: a seated, crouching, or leaning figure measures shorter than the same character standing, even at the same scale.
• Base, hair, and accessories: tall bases, weapons, and flowing hair are often included in the listed height, which inflates the number beyond the body itself.

Treat the listed height as a reference, not a guarantee. If shelf clearance is tight, check whether the measurement includes the base.

How to use scale size when you buy from Japan

Once you can read scale, buying gets easier. Three habits save the most regret:

• Measure your shelf first. A detolf shelf is about 30 cm tall, so a 1/4 figure at 42-53 cm will not fit standing. Match the scale to the space you actually have.
• Compare within a series. If you want a consistent lineup, stick to one scale so heights line up on the shelf.
• Read the listed height, not just the scale. The number in cm is the truth; the ratio is only a shortcut.

Most premium scale figures ship from Japan on a preorder window months ahead of release, so the size you pick now is the size that arrives later. Our guide to preordering anime figures from Japan walks through timing, deposits, and shipping.

Frequently asked questions about figure scale sizes

Is 1/7 or 1/8 scale bigger?

1/7 is bigger. A smaller bottom number means the character is divided by less, so more height remains. For the same character, 1/7 is roughly 3 cm taller than 1/8.

How tall is a 1/4 scale figure in cm?

A 1/4 scale figure is typically 42-53 cm (16.5-20.9 in). These are premium statues that need a dedicated shelf and usually carry the highest price of any scale.

What scale are most anime figures?

Most modern premium scale figures are 1/7, with 1/8 close behind. 1/6 and larger 1/4 pieces exist for flagship releases, while prize figures stay non-scale at 13-25 cm.

How big is a 1/6 scale figure in cm?

A 1/6 scale figure is usually 26-35 cm (10-14 in), a step up from 1/7 that gives a commanding shelf presence.

Key takeaways

• 1/7 scale: about 22-27 cm; today's default for premium figures.
• 1/8 scale: about 18-25 cm; slightly smaller and often cheaper.
• 1/4 scale: about 42-53 cm; large statues that need dedicated space.
• The formula: character height divided by the bottom number gives the height in cm.
• Non-scale lines: Nendoroid about 10 cm, figma about 13-14 cm, Pop Up Parade about 17-18 cm, prize figures 13-25 cm.

Now that you can convert any scale into centimeters, you can shop with confidence. Browse in-stock anime figures at Akibato, which ships from Japan worldwide and lists each figure's height in cm, so you always know the size before it reaches your shelf.

Sources

• Magic Stories - Figure Scale Sizes Explained: 1/7, 1/8 & Prize Figure Dimensions (2026)
• Akimomo - Anime Figure Scale Guide: Every Collector Should Know