RC Helicopter Sizes Explained: Size Chart from Micro to 800
An RC helicopter’s “size” (150, 250, 450, 500, 700…) is roughly the length of one main rotor blade in millimetres. A 450 heli uses blades of about 325–360 mm and has a rotor disc of about 700–800 mm; a 700 heli uses 690–710 mm blades and a rotor disc of about 1.55–1.6 m. The size class tells you the battery, the space you need and the running costs. The chart below gives all classes with real example models.
By Kyle HilsonUpdated: October 20266 min read
RC helicopter size chart
Typical values for collective-pitch electric helicopters. Individual models vary, so treat the ranges as a guide and check the maker’s spec sheet before buying blades or batteries.
| Class | Main blade (mm) | Rotor diameter (mm) | Rotor diameter (in) | Typical LiPo | Flying weight | Where it flies |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Micro (fixed or collective pitch) | 100–160 | 250–360 | 10–14 | 1S–3S | under 250 g | Indoors, calm garden |
| 230–250 | 210–250 | 500–560 | 20–22 | 3S | 300–500 g | Garden, small park |
| 450–470 | 325–380 | 700–850 | 28–33 | 3S–6S | 0.8–1.2 kg | Park, club field |
| 500–550 | 420–550 | 950–1,200 | 37–47 | 6S | 1.8–3 kg | Club field |
| 600 | 600–620 | 1,330–1,380 | 52–54 | 6S–12S | 3–4.5 kg | Club field |
| 700 | 690–710 | 1,550–1,600 | 61–63 | 12S | 4.5–5.5 kg | Club field |
| 800 | 760–800 | 1,750–1,800 | 69–71 | 12S–14S | 5.5–7 kg | Club field, scale |
Rotor diameter is roughly two blade lengths plus the width of the rotor head and grips. That is why a 700 has a disc of about 1.58 m, not 1.4 m.
What does the size number measure?
The class name started out as a marketing label (Align’s T-REX 450 made “450” a household name) and today follows the main blade length: blades are measured from the mounting bolt hole to the tip. A “700 size” heli flies 700 mm blades. Some makers keep the class name when they fit longer blades: the Align T-REX 500X ships with 470 mm blades, and the T-REX 470LP with 380 mm blades.
Older glow helicopters were named after engine size instead (a “30 size” ran a .30 cubic-inch engine, a “50” or “90” size a bigger one). A 30 size is close to today’s 550–600 electric class, a 90 size close to a 700.
Real models in each class
Manufacturer figures. Some models are discontinued but common on the used market.
| Model | Class | Main blade | Rotor diameter | Battery | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RC ERA C129 V2 (fixed pitch, RTF) | Micro | – | 248 mm | 1S 300 mAh | – |
| Blade 150 S (discontinued) | Micro CP | 155 mm | 361 mm | 3S 400–500 mAh | about 200 g |
| Blade 230 S V2 | 230 | – | 536 mm | 3S 800 mAh | 339 g |
| Align T-REX 470LP | 450/470 | 380 mm | 850 mm | 6S 1400–1900 mAh | 840 g without battery |
| Align T-REX 500X | 500 | 470 mm | 1,054 mm | 6S 2600–3300 mAh | about 1,400 g without battery |
| Align T-REX 700X | 700 | 700 mm | 1,582 mm | 12S 5000 mAh | about 5,100 g with battery |
Sources: Horizon Hobby (Blade) and Align product pages, retailer spec sheets for the C129 V2. Checked October 2026.
Which size should you buy?
Short answer: a flybarless 230–250 class with a stabilisation/rescue mode to learn, a 450–500 to grow into, a 700 only once you fly confidently at a club field.
| Your situation | Pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Living room, toy-level fun | Micro fixed pitch (e.g. C129 V2 class) | Cheap, light, can’t hurt much; won’t teach collective pitch |
| Learning real collective-pitch flying, garden or park | 230–250 class with SAFE/rescue mode | Big enough to be stable outside, small enough that crashes are cheap |
| Club field, aerobatics, more wind tolerance | 450–500 class on 6S | Much more stable in wind; parts and blades still affordable |
| Smooth, quiet-looking flight, 3D at its best | 700 class on 12S | Large models fly most smoothly but every crash costs a lot; needs a club field |
| Scale look (Huey, Chinook, Airwolf) | 450 for a first scale fuselage, 600–800 for show models | Scale bodies add weight; bigger mechanics carry it better |
Bigger is not harder to fly. A 700 is calmer and easier to see than a 250. What gets harder is the cost of mistakes, the need for space and the energy in a 12S battery and spinning blades.
Rules: larger models have to follow model-aircraft rules almost everywhere. In the US, recreational flyers pass the FAA TRUST test and register models of 250 g or more. In the EU, models of 250 g or more need operator registration (EASA). Club fields usually require membership insurance (e.g. AMA in the US).
Scale helicopters and odd sizes
- Scale models are given by scale (1:11, 1:7) and by the mechanics inside. A 1:11 Chinook from Vario, for example, uses two rotors of 1,550 mm, which is 700-class territory. See RC Chinook helicopters.
- “400 size” is an older label close to today’s 450.
- 380, 420, 470 are in-between classes; they usually take blades between the main classes, so check blade length before ordering spares.
- Coaxial toys (two rotors on one mast) are sold by length in cm, not by class.
FAQ
What size is a 450 helicopter in inches?
A 450 has 325–360 mm main blades and a rotor diameter of about 700–800 mm, which is 28–31 inches. The body is roughly 25–28 inches long.
What size is a 200 series helicopter in inches?
A 200–250 class heli has a rotor diameter of about 20–22 inches (500–560 mm) and is about 18–20 inches long.
How much does a 400 or 450 size helicopter weigh?
Usually 0.8–1.2 kg ready to fly with battery, depending on 3S or 6S setup and canopy.
What is the best size RC helicopter for a beginner?
A flybarless 230–250 class with a self-levelling/rescue mode, or a simulator plus a micro collective pitch heli. Fixed-pitch toys are fun but do not teach the controls of a hobby-grade heli.
Is a bigger RC helicopter easier to fly?
Yes, larger helicopters are more stable and easier to see. But they need more space, cost more to repair and are more dangerous.
More on this topic: flybarless vs flybar, controls and repairs are in the complete RC helicopters guide.
About 20 years in RC. Mostly boats in the NAVIGA Mini Eco Expert class, with many self-made parts; also a King Motor Baja 5B, a home-built electric plane, home-built nitro planes he has flown, and an RC helicopter. More about SwellRC
