Warhammer Base Sizes Guide | 40K, AoS, Old World & Kill Team Chart

Last updated: March 2026. Base sizes reflect current Games Workshop guidelines. Always check the latest FAQ or tournament companion for your edition.

Getting the right base size matters. Tournament organizers enforce base sizes because they affect movement distances, model spacing, and line of sight. Even in casual games, using the correct base keeps the game fair and your army looking sharp.

This guide covers base sizes for Warhammer 40,000, Age of Sigmar, Warhammer: The Old World, and Kill Team. Each section includes quick-reference charts so you can find what you need fast.

LITKO manufactures precision laser-cut miniature bases in every standard Warhammer size—round, oval, square, and rectangular—in clear acrylic, plywood, and with magnetic bottoms. If you need a size we don't stock, the LITKO BaseMaker tool lets you order custom dimensions.

Warhammer 40K Base Sizes — Quick Reference Chart

Warhammer 40,000 uses round and oval bases. The chart below lists every standard base size, what types of units use it, and some common examples. If your model came with a base in the box, that is the correct size to use.

Warhammer 40K Oval Base Sizes

Oval bases are used for bikes, cavalry, large walkers, flyers, and Knights. The dimensions are listed as width x length.

Note on vehicles: Many Imperial Guard tanks (Leman Russ, Baneblade, etc.) and some other large vehicles do not use bases at all—they sit directly on their hull. If your model came without a base, it does not need one.

Warhammer 40K — Base Sizes by Unit Type

Below is a more detailed breakdown organized by the type of unit, which makes it easier to figure out what base an older or secondhand model needs.

Infantry

Characters & HQs

Character base sizes match their armour type. A Captain in power armour uses a 32mm base. A Captain in Terminator armour uses a 40mm or 50mm base. Named characters with large models (Guilliman, Ghazghkull, Magnus) use 60mm–100mm bases matching whatever came in the box.

Walkers & Dreadnoughts

Monsters & Creatures

* Some Greater Daemons have been repackaged with different base sizes across editions. Check which base came in your box.

Browse All Warhammer-Compatible Bases

Age of Sigmar Base Sizes

Age of Sigmar uses the same round and oval bases as Warhammer 40K. Many base sizes overlap, especially for Chaos Daemons that cross between both game systems. The correct base is whatever came in the model's box.

Tip for AoS players: Games Workshop publishes an official base sizes PDF that is updated with each Battlescroll FAQ. If you are rebasing older models or preparing for a tournament, download the latest version from the Warhammer Community site.

Warhammer: The Old World Base Sizes

The Old World returns to square and rectangular bases for rank-and-file combat. This is the biggest difference from 40K and AoS. Straight edges allow models to rank up in tight formations, which is central to the gameplay.

Games Workshop updated many base sizes when The Old World launched. The old 20mm infantry bases are gone—the minimum is now 25mm square. Cavalry moved from 25x50mm to 30x60mm. If you are bringing back an older Warhammer Fantasy army, you may need to rebase or use base adapter trays.

Rebasing for The Old World? LITKO Has You Covered

If you have an older Warhammer Fantasy army on 20mm bases, you do not necessarily need to pry every model off its base. LITKO makes base adapter trays that let your 20mm-based models rank up on a 25mm grid—and similar adapters for 25x50mm cavalry moving to 30x60mm. Check the Specialty Movement Trays collection.

LITKO also makes formation movement trays for The Old World, including lance formation trays for Bretonnian knights on 30x60mm bases.

Kill Team Base Sizes

Kill Team uses the same round bases as Warhammer 40K. Most operatives are on small-to-medium bases. Operatives with a base of 50mm or less (or an oval of 60x35mm or less) can traverse under certain terrain features, which matters tactically.

Choosing a Base Material: Acrylic vs. Plywood vs. MDF

Your base material affects appearance, weight, and how you finish the model. Here is a quick comparison:

All LITKO bases are precision laser-cut in the USA, which means consistent sizing across every base in your army—no warping, no variation. This matters when you are ranking up 50+ infantry on a movement tray.

Need a Custom Size? Use LITKO BaseMaker

Playing a game with non-standard base sizes? Converting a model that needs a unique footprint? The LITKO BaseMaker tool lets you specify any shape (circle, square, rectangle, oval), any size, and choose from over 25 colors of acrylic or plywood. Order packs of 10, 25, 50, or 100.

Build Custom Bases with BaseMaker

Frequently Asked Questions

Do base sizes matter in Warhammer?

Yes. Base sizes affect movement, pile-in distances, coherency, and how many models can fight in melee. In matched play and tournaments, using the correct base size is required. In casual games most opponents are flexible, but using the "right" base keeps things fair and avoids arguments.

What base size are Space Marines on?

All current Space Marines—both Firstborn and Primaris—use 32mm round bases. Older models may have been sold on 25mm bases, but 32mm is the current standard. Terminators use 40mm round bases.

What is the difference between 25mm and 28mm bases?

Games Workshop has been gradually upsizing infantry bases. The 28mm base (sometimes listed as 28.5mm) is the current standard for many non-power-armour infantry like Necron Warriors, Eldar Guardians, and Termagants. The 25mm base is used for smaller models like Guardsmen and Gretchin. For practical purposes, the difference is about 3mm in diameter.

Can I use clear acrylic bases in tournaments?

Generally yes, as long as the base is the correct size. Most tournament organizers care about dimensions, not material. Clear bases from LITKO are precision-cut to match GW base sizes exactly. Check your specific tournament's rules pack to be sure.

Do I need to rebase my old Warhammer Fantasy army for The Old World?

If your models are on 20mm bases, they will need to move to 25mm. Cavalry on 25x50mm needs to move to 30x60mm. You can either rebase (time-consuming) or use LITKO base adapter trays that let your old bases fit the new grid without removing models from their original bases.

Why are some bases oval instead of round?

Oval bases are used for models that are significantly longer than they are wide—bikes, cavalry, and some monsters. The oval shape better fits the model's footprint and helps with ranking coherency on the tabletop.