How to Pick the Right Movement Tray for 25mm Skirmish Bases
By Sarissa Precision Ltd – Sarissa Precision Limited | Published: 2026-10-16
Category: Buying Guides
Match your 25mm round bases to a skirmish tray by checking base height, count, and spacing. Use this 25mm skirmish movement tray guide to avoid loose fits and wasted space.
Quick answer
For 25mm round bases, start with a tray whose cutouts are sized for 25mm and whose frame height matches your base thickness. If you want a compact skirmish line, the 9x1 Skirmish Tray for 25x25mm bases is a direct fit for square 25mm bases and keeps spacing consistent. If your models are on round bases and you want ranked movement, use a conversion tray like the 10 x 6 Conversion Tray for 20mm Round Bases only if your bases are 20mm, not 25mm.
Measure base diameter and height first
Before you compare tray counts, measure two things: the base diameter and the base height from the bottom of the base to the top of the rim. Movement trays are built around those two numbers because the cutout controls fit and the frame height controls how much of the base sits below the top edge. A 25mm round base will not sit correctly in a cutout designed for 20mm round bases, even if the outer tray dimensions look similar.
If you are mixing base sizes in one unit, do not guess. Sarissa Precision offers other configurations on request for some trays, so if your unit mixes 25mm and 40mm bases, ask before buying a standard layout.
Choose base count by how you move the unit
Base count is not just about unit size; it is about how you physically handle the tray during a game. A 9x1 tray moves a single line of nine models, which is fast for skirmish games where you spread out and reform often. A 10 x 6 tray moves sixty models at once, which suits ranked units but becomes awkward if you need to wheel or snake through terrain.
For 25mm skirmish bases, the practical range is usually 5 to 12 models per tray. If your unit routinely splits into detachments, two smaller trays give you more flexibility than one large tray.
Understand spacing and trim
The 9x1 Skirmish Tray for 25x25mm bases places each cutout 1/2 inch (12.7mm) apart with a 1/4 inch (6.35mm) trim. That trim is what lets two trays sit alongside each other without the outer frames colliding, so your unit spacing stays consistent when you line up multiple trays. If you plan to place trays side by side, check the trim on every tray in the unit, not just the first one.
Conversion trays for round bases use a different approach: they hold round bases in a ranked formation. The 10 x 6 Conversion Tray for 20mm Round Bases and the 7 x 6 Conversion Tray for 50mm Round Bases both let you use round-based models in a ranked fashion, but each is built for its stated base size. A 25mm round base needs a tray cut for 25mm.
Frame height and base options
Frame height is a separate choice from base count. Sarissa Precision trays let you select the frame height required to match your bases, and the 8x5 Movement Tray for 40x40mm bases also offers a base option if you want bases for your miniatures supplied. That matters when your models are already based: a frame that is too tall hides the base edge and can make ranking harder, while a frame that is too short lets models slide.
If you are unsure which height to select, measure the thickest base in the unit and match the frame to that. Do not average across different base heights in the same tray.
Decision rules for 25mm skirmish trays
- Rule 1: Match cutout to base diameter: A 25mm round base needs a 25mm cutout. Do not buy a 20mm conversion tray for 25mm bases, even if the outer tray size looks close. Check the stated base size on the product page before adding to cart.
- Rule 2: Pick frame height from your thickest base: Sarissa trays let you select frame height to match your bases. Use the thickest base in the unit, not an average. If bases vary, split the unit into two trays rather than compromising one height.
- Rule 3: Choose count by movement style: Use a 9x1 tray for a fast single line, and a larger ranked tray only when you move the whole unit together and rarely split it. Two smaller trays usually beat one large tray for skirmish play.
- Rule 4: Plan for side-by-side placement: The 1/4 inch trim on the 9x1 Skirmish Tray keeps spacing consistent when trays sit alongside each other. Confirm trim on every tray in the unit. If you mix tray models, spacing may not line up.
Product facts to check before buying
- 9x1 Skirmish Tray for 25x25mm bases: MDF Skirmish Tray consisting of MDF upper frame and lower base. Each cutout is 1/2 inch (12.7mm) apart with a 1/4 inch (6.35mm) trim to keep your unit spacing consistent when placed alongside each other. The 1/2 inch cutout spacing and 1/4 inch trim are what keep multiple trays aligned in a line, so this is the tray to choose when you want a single rank of 25mm square bases with predictable spacing.
- 10 x 6 Conversion Tray for 20mm Round Bases: MDF conversion tray consisting of MDF upper frame and lower base. These trays allow you to use your round-based models in a ranked fashion. This is the ranked-movement option for round bases, but it is sized for 20mm round bases, so it will not fit 25mm round bases without a different configuration.
- 8x5 Movement Tray for 40x40mm bases: MDF Movement Tray consisting of MDF upper frame and lower base. The Frame Border Measures 1/4 inch (6.35mm) per side. Other configurations are available on request. The 1/4 inch border per side tells you how much space the tray adds around the unit, and the request option matters if your 25mm bases need a non-standard count or layout.
Who should buy which tray
Best for
- Players with 25mm square bases who want a single-rank skirmish line with consistent spacing
- Units that need to place multiple trays side by side without the frames colliding
- Buyers who already know their base height and want to select a matching frame
Not for
- Models on 20mm round bases, which need the 10 x 6 Conversion Tray for 20mm Round Bases
- Models on 50mm round bases, which need the 7 x 6 Conversion Tray for 50mm Round Bases
- Units with mixed base sizes where a standard configuration will not fit every model
