How to Measure Die Cast Cars

Locate the size of the original vehicle. To do this, visit websites such as Edmunds.com that have vehicle specifications. You can go by length, width or height measurement, because a die cast is in accurate scale, but it is usually easiest to measure the length. Write the number down; you will use it to determine the scale.

Measure the length of the die cast model with the measuring tape. Do not take into account the stand or tray it is mounted on, only the vehicle itself. Write the exact length down (do not round off yet).

Divide the length of the original vehicle by the length of the die cast model. As an example, we will use a 2002 Ford Thunderbird. The Thunderbird has a length of 214 inches. The die cast model Thunderbird has a length of 12 inches. The formula would be 214 divided by 12, which equals 17.83. This number rounds up to 18, so the die cast model has a scale of 1:18.