If you’ve been looking at dollhouse kits or furniture online, you’ve probably come across the term “half scale” or “1:24 scale.” But what does that actually mean?
In simple terms, half scale means that everything is half the size of the standard 1:12 scale dollhouse. For every 1 inch in your miniature, it represents 2 feet in real life. That’s why it’s also called half-inch scale — because half an inch in your model equals one foot in reality.
Let’s take an example:
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A real chair is about 36 inches (3 feet) tall.
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In 1:12 scale, that chair would be about 3 inches high.
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In half scale (1:24), it’s only 1½ inches tall!
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A 6-foot-tall person would be represented by a 6-inch doll in 1:12 scale, or a 3-inch doll in 1:24.
So yes, half scale is tiny, but it’s still perfectly detailed and realistic.
Why Choose Half Scale?
There are a few reasons miniaturists love 1:24:
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It saves space. A half-scale dollhouse takes up about a quarter of the room that a 1:12 house would.
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It’s super detailed. You can still add all the charming touches — just on a smaller scale.
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It’s growing in popularity. Many brands now offer 1:24 kits and furniture, though 1:12 still has the widest variety.
The only downside? The pieces are smaller and more delicate, so you might need tweezers and a steady hand to assemble or arrange them. I tend to find it getting more difficult as i'm getting older.
A Quick Tip for Beginners
If you’re just starting out, it’s best to stick to one scale per project. Mixing scales makes furniture look out of proportion — a 1:12 doll will look like a giant next to 1:24 chairs!
But once you’ve built a 1:12 house and are short on space, half scale is a fun next step — and it’s amazing how much detail you can fit into such a small build.
Happy crafting!
Lizzy
