Choosing the right RC scale sizes can be confusing, especially for parents and grandparents looking to gift the perfect remote control cars for children.
Whether you're considering 1/10 scale cars, 1/12 scale cars, or even smaller 1/48 scale cars, it’s essential to understand how each size affects the car’s racing performance, durability, and suitability for different age groups.
Some RC licensed cars are highly detailed, perfect for kids fascinated by full-size vehicle replicas.
This guide provides a detailed scale comparison and scale size chart to help you find the best radio-controlled vehicle for kids, ensuring safe and enjoyable play.
What Are RC Scale Sizes?
RC scale sizes describe how big the remote control car is in comparison to its full-sized version. For example, a 1/10 scale car means that the RC car is one-tenth the size of a real car.
These scales are crucial in understanding the size, performance, and level of detail an RC car will have.
Larger models like 1/5 scale cars are ideal for outdoor RC track racing and off-road experiences, while smaller ones like 1/28 scale cars are better suited for indoor play or smaller tracks.
Each RC scale impacts not only the physical size but also the racing performance, battery life, and durability of the car.
For parents and grandparents, understanding RC scale sizes is crucial when selecting the right RC car for children.
Larger cars like 1/5 scale cars may be too powerful or difficult to handle for younger kids, while smaller models like 1/24,1/14,1/12 scale cars are more manageable and safer for indoor play.
This knowledge helps ensure that the gift is not only fun but also appropriate for the child’s age and skill level.
For hobby-grade RC cars, scale accuracy and detailing are significant, especially in RC licensed cars, which often replicate real-life models with impressive precision.
Understanding scale sizes helps buyers pick the perfect car, whether for serious racing, casual play, or display.
Breakdown of RC Scales
Here is the detailed breakdown for each RC car size including dimension, weight, indoor/outdoor suitability, recommended age, speed and handling, and battery life/maintenance:
How Big is a 1/8 Scale RC Car?
A 1/8 scale RC car strikes a great balance between size and versatility. These models are ideal for both on-road and off-road driving, offering robust handling and performance. Think of them as the size of a backpack.
Dimensions:
- Length: 22-25 inches (56-64 cm)
- Width: 12-14 inches (30-36 cm)
- Height: 8-12 inches (20-30 cm)
- Weight: 6-12 pounds (3-5.5 kg)
Indoor vs. Outdoor: Ideal for outdoor spaces, suitable for off-road tracks.
Recommended Age: 10+ years, suitable for intermediate users.
Speed & Handling: Fast, excellent for off-road and racing.
Battery Life & Maintenance: Moderate runtime, moderate maintenance.
How Big is a 1/10 Scale RC Car?
A 1/10 scale RC car is among the most popular sizes due to its versatility and affordability. These cars are typically around the size of a shoebox, making them easy to store and transport.
Dimensions:
- Length: 17-20 inches (43-51 cm)
- Width: 8-12 inches (20-30 cm)
- Height: 5-8 inches (13-20 cm)
- Weight: 4-8 pounds (2-3.5 kg)
Indoor vs. Outdoor: Suitable for both indoor and outdoor play.
Recommended Age: 8+ years, great for beginners.
Speed & Handling: Balanced speed with good control.
Battery Life & Maintenance: Moderate battery life, easy maintenance.
How Big is a 1/12 Scale RC Car?
The 1/12 scale RC cars are slightly smaller, offering great handling and portability, ideal for indoor or smaller outdoor tracks. They're roughly the size of a large laptop.
Dimensions:
- Length: 14-16 inches (35-41 cm)
- Width: 7-10 inches (18-25 cm)
- Height: 4-6 inches (10-15 cm)
- Weight: 3-6 pounds (1.5-2.7 kg)
Indoor vs. Outdoor: Best for small outdoor tracks or large indoor spaces.
Recommended Age: 8+ years, suitable for hobbyists.
Speed & Handling: Moderate speed, easy to handle.
Battery Life & Maintenance: Moderate runtime, low maintenance.
How Big is a 1/14 Scale RC Car?
A 1/14 scale RC car is compact but still offers impressive performance for both indoor and light outdoor play. It’s about the size of a briefcase, making it ideal for younger children or casual users.
Dimensions:
- Length: 12-14 inches (30-36 cm)
- Width: 6-9 inches (15-23 cm)
- Height: 4-6 inches (10-15 cm)
- Weight: 2-4 pounds (0.9-1.8 kg)
Indoor vs. Outdoor: Ideal for indoor use or small outdoor spaces.
Recommended Age: 7+ years, suitable for casual users.
Speed & Handling: Slower, easy handling for younger users.
Battery Life & Maintenance: Short runtime, minimal maintenance.
How Big is a 1/16 Scale RC Car?
1/16 scale RC cars are small, versatile vehicles that can be easily used indoors or in tight spaces. They are approximately the size of a large book, perfect for beginners.
Dimensions:
- Length: 10-12 inches (25-30 cm)
- Width: 5-8 inches (13-20 cm)
- Height: 4-5 inches (10-13 cm)
- Weight: 1.5-3 pounds (0.7-1.4 kg)
Indoor vs. Outdoor: Primarily for indoor use or tight outdoor spaces.
Recommended Age: 6+ years, perfect for younger children.
Speed & Handling: Easy to control, safe for beginners.
Battery Life & Maintenance: Short battery life, easy to maintain.
How Big is a 1/18 Scale RC Car?
A 1/18 scale RC car is ultra-compact, suitable for indoor play and racing on small tracks. These models are small enough to fit in a child’s hands, making them ideal for young children.
Dimensions:
- Length: 8-10 inches (20-25 cm)
- Width: 4-6 inches (10-15 cm)
- Height: 3-5 inches (8-13 cm)
- Weight: 1-2 pounds (0.5-0.9 kg)
Indoor vs. Outdoor: Ideal for indoor play, compact spaces.
Recommended Age: 5+ years, great for young beginners.
Speed & Handling: Slower speed, perfect for indoor control.
Battery Life & Maintenance: Quick charging, low maintenance.
How Big is a 1/20 Scale RC Car?
A 1/20 scale RC car is slightly smaller, perfect for toddlers or very young children. These cars are about the size of a large tablet, making them easy to control.
Dimensions:
- Length: 7-8 inches (18-20 cm)
- Width: 3-5 inches (8-13 cm)
- Height: 3-4 inches (8-10 cm)
- Weight: 0.5-1.5 pounds (0.2-0.7 kg)
Indoor vs. Outdoor: Best for indoor use due to compact size.
Recommended Age: 4+ years, ideal for toddlers.
Speed & Handling: Slow speed, easy handling for young children.
Battery Life & Maintenance: Short battery life, minimal upkeep.
How Big is a 1/24 Scale RC Car?
1/24 scale RC cars are the smallest of the bunch, perfect for indoor racing or display. They are compact and light, about the size of a smartphone.
Dimensions:
- Length: 6-7 inches (15-18 cm)
- Width: 3-4 inches (8-10 cm)
- Height: 2-3 inches (5-8 cm)
- Weight: 0.5-1 pounds (0.2-0.5 kg)
Indoor vs. Outdoor: Perfect for indoor spaces like living rooms.
Recommended Age: 4+ years, easy for toddlers to handle.
Speed & Handling: Slower speeds for safe indoor play.
Battery Life & Maintenance: Short battery life, low maintenance.
Choosing the Right Scale for You
When selecting the right RC scale size, it's essential to consider the following:
- Budget: When picking the right RC car, budget is often the biggest factor for most buyers. If you're looking for something affordable, smaller scales for your kids like 1/24 or 1/14 are perfect. These cars are not only cheaper, but they’re easier to maintain and control, making them great for beginners or kids. On the other hand, if you’re willing to splurge, 1/5 or 1/8 scale cars offer more speed, power, and off-road capability, but they come at a higher price.
- Experience Level: Experience Level also plays a role. If you're just starting out, a smaller scale like 1/16 or 1/10 offers better control, while experienced hobbyists might enjoy the complexity of handling larger, faster models like 1/8 or 1/5 scale cars. These larger cars often need more advanced skills and a dedicated outdoor space.
- Intended Use:
- Outdoor Use: Larger models like 1/5 or 1/8 scale cars offer higher speed and better off-road capabilities. These are best for outdoor use in open spaces or rough terrains, making them ideal for serious hobbyists and enthusiasts.
- Indoor Use: Smaller scales such as 1/24 or 1/16 scale cars are designed for indoor tracks or limited spaces. They offer a more controlled environment and are perfect for casual play or younger children who are just getting into RC cars.
- Safety: For young kids, 1/16 scale cars or smaller are typically recommended, as they are slower and safer to handle. Larger scales like 1/8 and 1/5 should be reserved for older kids (10+) and experienced users, as they can be faster and harder to control.