A map scale such as 1:25000 tells you how many units in reality one unit on the map stands for.
How map scale works
At 1:25000, one unit on the map equals 25,000 of the same units in the real world. So 1 cm on the map is 25,000 cm (250 m) on the ground.
Frequently asked questions
How do I work out the real distance from a map?
Multiply the distance you measure on the map by the scale number. On a 1:25000 map, 4 cm is 4 × 25,000 = 100,000 cm, which is 1 km.
How far is 1 cm on a 1:50000 map?
1 cm on the map is 50,000 cm in reality, which is 500 m. So 2 cm on the map is one kilometre.
What scales do topographic and hiking maps use?
Hiking maps mostly use 1:25000 (very detailed) or 1:50000. Road maps usually start at 1:200000 and cover larger areas with less detail.