Scale

A map scale expresses a relationship between distances on a map and matching distances in the real world. One common way of expressing scale is in ratio. For example 1:50,000.

The scale 1:50,000 means that one unit on the map (centimeter, inch, shoe length, pinkie fingernail, whatever...) is equivalent to 50,000 of those units (centimeter, inch, shoe length, pinkie fingernail, whatever...) in the real world.

Scale can also be a written sentence. For example 1 inch represents 10 miles. It can also be drawn like a ruler. Examples of possible scales are shown below.


	Scale
A map scale expresses a relationship between distances on a map and matching distances in the real world. One common way of expressing scale is in ratio. For example 1:50,000. The scale 1:50,000 means that one unit on the map (centimeter, inch, shoe length, pinkie fingernail, whatever...) is equivalent to 50,000 of those units (centimeter, inch, shoe length, pinkie fingernail, whatever...) in the real world. Scale can also be a written sentence. For example 1 inch represents 10 miles. It can also be drawn like a ruler. Examples of possible scales are shown below.