1:32 Scale

An important property of a map is the scale. It can be indicated by a scale bar and/or a ratio 1:n. This enables the map user to measure a distance on the map and determine the distance on the ground. more...

Home
Beanies
Construction Toys & Kits
Creative Toys/ Activities
Diecast & Vehicles
Educational Toys
Electronic Pets
Fast Food/ Cereal/ Sweets...
Games
Jigsaws & Puzzles
Model Kits
Aircraft (Military)
Aircraft (Non-Military)
Boats & Ships
Cars
1:20 Scale & Larger
1:24/25 Scale
1:32 Scale
1:43 Scale
1:72 Scale & Smaller
Other Cars
Character Figures/ Animals
Military
Monsters
Motorcycles
Other Model Kits
Paints/ Accessories
Rockets
Scenery/ Props/ Buildings
Science Fiction
Space
Superhero
Trucks
Wooden/ Matchstick Kits
Other Toys & Games
Outdoor Toys & Activities
Pre-School/ Young Children
Radio-Controlled
Scalextric & Slot Car
Soft Toys/ Stuffed Animals
Steam
TV & Film Character Toys
Toy Soldiers
Vintage/ Classic Toys
Wargames & Role-Playing

These days maps are usually produced under the metric system which makes it easy to perform this task. Maps are usually produced at standard scale factors of (say) 1:10,000 or 1:50,000 or 1:100,000 and all you need to do is take a measurement on the map (in mm) and multiply that figure by the scale factor to determine the distance on the ground.

However, maps from some countries may use imperial units, especially older maps. These maps displayed scale ratios but often they were of the form 60 chains to 1 inch or 2 miles to 1 inch, etc.

In this case measure mm on the map and multiply by the scale factor below (where 1 yard = 36 inches, 1 chain = 22 yards) ...

Maps are sometimes referred to as "large scale" or "small scale". In this context scale is obviously relative. It is safe to say that a "large scale" map displays objects such that they appear relatively large. For example, an island displayed on a 1:10,000 map will appear larger than if it were displayed on a 1:25,000 map. Thus, the former is "large scale". What can be confusing is that for a map of a given physical size, say 11 by 17 inches, a "large scale" map will have a smaller geographic extent than a "small scale" map centred on the same point. Maps with a ratio of 1:50 000 or larger (for example, 1:40 000 would be larger) are considered large scale. Maps with a ratio of 1:50 000 to 1:250 000 are considered intermediate scale. Any maps with a smaller scale (for example 1:300 000) are considered small scale. (indirect quote from

You can find a good real life explanation of this on the Michelin UK Maps and Guides website Real life explanation

Read more at Wikipedia.org