Warhammer 40k Base Size Guide (2026): Every Model, Every Size
Getting base sizes right matters more than most hobbyists realise. The wrong size can make a model illegal for matched play and throws off the look of a whole unit. This guide covers every common Warhammer 40k base size, what goes on each, and how to choose when you're building or rebasing an army for 11th Edition.
Warhammer 40k base size chart
Most models use round bases; larger models and some cavalry use ovals. Here are the standard round sizes and what typically sits on them:
| Base size | Typical models |
|---|---|
| 25mm | Older infantry and weapon teams (largely replaced by 32mm) |
| 32mm | The modern standard for infantry — Space Marines, Intercessors, Guardsmen, Chaos Space Marines, Cultists |
| 40mm | Heavy infantry and small characters — Terminators, Tyranid Warriors, Ogryns, many sergeants |
| 50mm | Bikes, cavalry and bulky infantry — Outriders, Obliterators, large beasts |
| 60mm | Large multi-wound models and light walkers — Dreadnoughts, big monstrous creatures |
| 80–90mm | Centrepiece monsters, large vehicles and characters on scenic plinths |
| 100mm+ & ovals | The biggest monsters and flyers; oval bases such as 60×35mm, 75×42mm, 90×52mm and 105×70mm |
Grimdark Labs scenic bases are made in 32mm, 40mm, 50mm, 60mm and 90mm — covering the vast majority of any 40k army.
Round vs oval bases
Round bases are the default for almost everything. Oval bases appear on certain cavalry, jump units, monsters and vehicles where the model's footprint is longer than it is wide. Always check the base supplied in the kit: for matched play, the base your model comes with is the legal one, and swapping to a different size or shape can cause problems at events.
How to choose the right size
Three simple rules cover almost every situation:
- Use what the kit supplies. Modern Games Workshop kits include the correct base — that is your matched-play-legal size.
- Match the unit. Every model in a squad should sit on the same size base so the unit reads as one block on the table.
- Don't oversize infantry. Putting a Space Marine on a 40mm base might look dramatic, but it eats table space and looks out of place next to standard 32mm troops.
Basing and painting your army
Once you've got the right size, a themed scenic base is what ties a whole army together. See our guides on choosing the best bases for 11th Edition and theming an Armageddon army, then browse the full scenic bases collection in City Ruins, Temple and Rocky Terrain. Every design is cast in high-detail resin, supplied unpainted, made and shipped from the UK, with free delivery on orders over £35.