Map scales are a measure
of distances on a map. The numbers
in the Scale column
below represent a ratio. The two
numbers, separated by a colon, represent
the relationship between 1 of any measure
and its equivalent in the real world. For
example 1:10,000 means that each inch
(or any measure) on the map represents
10,000 inches (or any of the same measure)
in the real world. The smaller
the number to the right of the colon
the larger the map scale and more specific
the map coverage.
| Scale |
Feet/miles
per inch |
Description |
| 1:10,000 (10K) |
833 feet |
Highly detailed, this scale
is primarily used for small cities
or parts of larger cities. A
map at this scale usually shows
buildings and public facilities. |
| 1:25,000 (25K) |
0.4 miles |
Still very detailed, this scale
is commonly used for larger cities. A
city map at this scale usually
shows only streets and perhaps
the larger public facilities. Topographic
maps usually shows things like
campgrounds and switchbacks on
trails. |
| 1:50,000 (50K) |
0.8 miles |
Only the very largest cities
in the world are mapped at this
scale. Names of smaller thoroughfares
may or may not be listed. This
is a common scale for a medium-sized
city and its metro area. |
| 1:100,000 (100K) |
1.6 miles |
This scale is generally not
detailed enough to map a community. This
scale is reasonable to cover lakes,
rivers, streams, country roads
and parks and still have detail. Most
maps at this scale will show streets,
but most will not be named. |
| 1:250,000 (250K) |
3.9 miles |
Highways and country roads are
almost always identified at this
scale. Also lakes, rivers,
and most streams would be identified,
but street detail at this scale
is normally out of the question. |
| 1:500,000 (500K) |
7.9 miles |
At this scale a city the size
of Dallas is about as big as a
silver dollar. A country
the size of Ireland might be mapped
at this scale. |
| 1:1,000,000 ((1M) |
16 miles |
At this scale, Dallas would
appear to be a little bigger than
a quarter. A type single
sheet map of France would be mapped
at this scale. |
| 1:2,000,000 (2M) |
32 miles |
This scale is used for maps
of larger countries like Brazil,
China and the United States. |
| 1:5,000,000 (5M) |
79 miles |
This scale is used for large
countries and groups of countries. |
| 1:10,000,000 (10M) |
158 miles |
This scale is used for full
continent maps. |
| 1:25,000,000 (25M) |
395 miles |
Maps of this scale are typically
world wall maps. |
| 1:50,000,000 (50M) |
789 miles |
Same as above. |
|
|
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