Miniature Bases vs. Toploaders & Card Holders
Comparing 2 standards across 18 specifications. 18 key differences identified.
Miniature bases are standardized plastic platforms used in tabletop wargaming (Warhammer 40,000, Age of Sigmar) and tabletop RPGs (D&D) to define model footprint, line of sight, and melee engagement range. Official standards specify round bases from 25 mm (infantry) to 160 mm (monsters), and oval bases from 60×35 mm (cavalry) to 170×105 mm (large vehicles).
Toploaders are rigid polyvinyl chloride (PVC) protective holders designed to store collectible trading and sports cards. Sized at 3×4 inches (76.2×101.6 mm), toploaders are classified by a standardized 'Point' (pt) thickness scale ranging from 35pt (standard paper cards) up to 360pt (thick memorabilia, patch, and relic cards), where 1 pt equals 0.001 inches (1 mil).
Specification Comparison Table
18 Parameters| Parameter / Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Small Infantry Round Base
|
25 mm (classic Guardsmen, Gretchin) | — |
|
Standard Infantry Round Base
|
28.5 to 32 mm (Space Marines, Orks, Sisters) | — |
|
Elite / Character Round Base
|
40 mm (Terminators, Captains, Custodes) | — |
|
Heavy Infantry / Monster Round
|
50 to 60 mm (Centurions, Dreadnoughts, Spawn) | — |
|
Large Walker / Monster Round
|
80, 100, 130, 160 mm (Redemptor Dreadnought, Greater Daemons) | — |
|
Biker / Cavalry Small Oval
|
60 × 35 mm (classic cavalry/bikers) | — |
|
Modern Outrider / Cavalry Oval
|
75 × 42 to 90 × 52 mm (Space Marine Outriders, Gore-gruntas) | — |
|
Chariot / Monster Medium Oval
|
105 × 70 to 120 × 92 mm (Large beasts, light tanks) | — |
|
Flyer / Super-Heavy Large Oval
|
170 × 105 mm (Imperial Knights, Aircraft) | — |
|
Standard Toploader Outer Size
|
— | 3 × 4 inches (76.2 × 101.6 mm) |
|
Point Thickness Formula
|
— | 1 pt = 0.001 inches (0.0254 mm) 1 mil |
|
35pt (Standard Cards)
|
— | 0.89 mm (0.035 in) Standard TCGs, base modern sports cards |
|
55pt (Medium Cards)
|
— | 1.40 mm (0.055 in) Chrome, Prizm, thick vintage cards |
|
75pt / 100pt (Thick Cards)
|
— | 1.90 / 2.54 mm Jersey swatch, thin patch cards |
|
130pt (Standard Patch Cards)
|
— | 3.30 mm (0.130 in) Standard game-worn memorabilia patches |
|
180pt (Super Thick Patches)
|
— | 4.57 mm (0.180 in) National Treasures, Flawless, thick patches |
|
260pt / 360pt (Jumbo Relics)
|
— | 6.60 / 9.14 mm Booklet cards, game-used bat/glove/shoe relics |
|
9-Pocket Page Slot Dimensions
|
— | 2.5 × 3.5 inches (fits unsleeved or penny-sleeved cards) |