Maintaining accurate scale is one of the most important—and sometimes frustrating—parts of ship modeling. As my own modeling progressed, I found myself constantly converting full-size dimensions into precise scale measurements, often bouncing between reference books, calculators, and handwritten notes.

To simplify that process, I built this Scale Conversion Spreadsheet in Excel.

You simply enter the scale you’re working in, and the spreadsheet automatically converts common full-size fractional measurements into scale-correct decimal dimensions, covering values from 1/8 inch through 12 inches. The result is a quick, reliable reference you can use right at the bench.

I personally print the chart, laminate it, and keep it within arm’s reach while building. For example, if a reference shows deck planks that were 6 inches wide full-size, the chart tells me instantly that they should be 0.063 inches wide in 1:96 scale—no math required.

This spreadsheet is provided as a free download for the Ships in Scale community and is suitable for both kit builders and scratch builders who want to improve dimensional accuracy and consistency in their work.

Download it, customize it if you like, and make it part of your modeling toolkit.