Round vs Square Bases for Scale Model Figures: How to Choose

Quick answer

Choose round bases for single figures that move independently in skirmish games, and square bases when your models fight in ranked units that need consistent spacing. If your rules or your movement tray already dictate a footprint, match that first and treat shape as a secondary choice. Round bases are the safer default for 40mm round bases and larger character models, while square bases remain the practical option for tight infantry blocks.

Start With the Footprint Your Rules Require

Base shape is usually a rules decision before it is a modelling decision. Most rule sets specify a base size or a footprint range, and a model on the wrong size can gain or lose effective range, melee contact, or unit frontage. Check the unit entry first, then choose the shape that fits that footprint. If your rules give a choice, pick the shape that matches how the unit moves: independently based figures work well on round bases, while units that stay in formation are easier to handle on square bases.

Round Bases: Best for Single Figures and Loose Formations

Round bases give a single figure a natural centre and let you rotate the model freely without changing its footprint. That makes them a good fit for skirmish games, characters, and any unit that spreads out rather than ranks up. The trade-off is alignment: round bases do not self-align in a block, so if your unit needs consistent spacing you will rely on a tray or on careful placement. For larger figures, 40mm round bases are a common size because they support a wider stance without looking oversized.

Square Bases: Best for Ranked Units and Tight Blocks

Square bases line up edge to edge, which keeps frontages clean and makes unit footprint easy to read. They are the practical choice for infantry blocks, ranked formations, and any game where models fight in contact with each other. The trade-off is flexibility: a square base locks the model into a grid, so a figure that would look better turned at an angle may need to stay square to the unit. Smaller square sizes such as 25mm square bases suit compact infantry where space on the tray is limited.

Octagonal and Other Shapes: When They Help

Octagonal bases sit between round and square. They keep a rounded silhouette for the model while giving flatter edges that can align more predictably than a circle. They are useful when you want a ranked unit to look less rigid but still need a repeatable footprint. The limitation is compatibility: not every movement tray or rule set accounts for octagonal bases, so check your tray cutouts and your rules before committing a whole unit to them.

Match the Base to the Tray Before You Glue

If you plan to use movement trays, choose the base shape and size with the tray in mind. A tray with round cutouts will not hold square bases cleanly, and a square-cut tray will not align round bases. Sarissa Precision trays are built around a frame and a lower base, and the frame height option lets you match the tray to the height of your bases. That height choice matters more than most people expect: a frame that is too shallow lets bases sit proud, while one that is too deep can hide the base edge. Test-fit a few models on the tray before you commit to a full unit.

Decision Rules for Base Shape

• If your rules name a base size, use it: Check the unit entry before buying or gluing. A named size overrides shape preference, because the wrong footprint can change range and contact. Rules first, shape second.
• If the unit moves independently, choose round: Round bases let a single figure rotate freely without changing its footprint, which suits skirmish games and characters. Round for loose formations.
• If the unit ranks up, choose square: Square bases align edge to edge, keeping frontages clean and unit footprint easy to read on the table. Square for tight blocks.
• If you use trays, match tray and base together: Round cutouts need round bases and square cutouts need square bases. Confirm the frame height option against your actual base height before assembly. Test-fit a few models first.

Product Facts

• 6 x 5 Conversion Tray for 40mm Round Bases: 6 x 5 Conversion Tray for 40mm Round Bases is an MDF conversion tray with an MDF upper frame and lower base, and it lets you use round-based models in a ranked fashion. This is the practical answer for players who want round bases on individual figures but still need a ranked unit footprint on the table.
• 6x3 Skirmish Tray for 20x20mm bases: 6x3 Skirmish Tray for 20x20mm bases has each cutout 1/2 inch (12.7mm) apart with a 1/4 inch (6.35mm) trim to keep unit spacing consistent when placed alongside each other. Consistent spacing matters when two units sit side by side, because uneven gaps can change how a frontage lines up in play.
• European Townhouse 3 Storey Narrow Building A: European Townhouse 3 Storey Narrow Building A is a laser-cut wooden scale model kit of a narrow terraced house with a small footprint and multiple floors. A narrow footprint building is useful on a crowded table where a wide model would block movement, and it shows why footprint planning matters for scenery as well as bases.

Who Should Choose Which

Best for

• Skirmish players basing single figures on round bases
• Players with 40mm round bases who still want ranked movement
• Infantry units that need square bases for tight frontages
• Modellers who want a repeatable footprint across a whole unit

Not for

• Players whose rules mandate a specific base shape or size they cannot change
• Units that will never be placed in a tray or ranked formation
• Anyone mixing round and square bases in the same ranked unit without a tray that supports both