What fits at 1:87.1 (1:87)
Model railroads, trackside buildings, vehicles and figures. The huge HO ecosystem makes almost any prototype available.
| Real subject | Real size | 1:87.1 model |
|---|---|---|
| 40 ft boxcar | 12.2 m | 14 cm |
| EMD F7 locomotive | 15.4 m | 17.7 cm |
| Two-storey house (height) | 8 m | 9.2 cm |
| Person | 1.8 m | 2.1 cm |
Size comparison at 1:87.1
Relative model sizes at 1:87.1 (longest bar = largest model):
1:87.1 in mm, cm and inches
How common real-world sizes convert to 1:87.1 model size:
| Real size | Model (mm) | Model (cm) | Model (inches) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 m | 11.5 mm | 1.15 cm | 0.452 in |
| 2 m | 23 mm | 2.3 cm | 0.904 in |
| 5 m | 57.4 mm | 5.74 cm | 2.26 in |
| 10 m | 115 mm | 11.5 cm | 4.52 in |
| 1 ft | 3.5 mm | 0.35 cm | 0.138 in |
| 6 ft (person) | 21 mm | 2.1 cm | 0.827 in |
Frequently asked questions
What scale is HO?
HO is 1:87.1, running on 16.5 mm gauge track. It is the most widely produced model railroad scale.
How tall is an HO figure?
A 1.8 m person is about 20.7 mm tall in HO scale (1800 mm ÷ 87.1).