Scale Factor Calculator
Find a scale factor between two lengths, or apply one to a length, below.
Scale Factor
2.5×
Finding a Scale Factor
Scale factor = scaled length ÷ original length.
Worked example
A model is scaled from 4 inches to 10 inches.
10 ÷ 4 = 2.5
Scale factor: 2.5×
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you find a scale factor?
Divide the new (scaled) length by the original length: scale factor = scaled ÷ original.
What does a scale factor greater than 1 mean?
It means the shape or object was enlarged. A scale factor between 0 and 1 means it was shrunk, and a scale factor of exactly 1 means the size didn't change.
Does scale factor apply to area and volume the same way as length?
No. If lengths scale by a factor k, area scales by k², and volume scales by k³ — this is why a small increase in a model's scale can mean a much larger increase in its volume.
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