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Does six-inch scale mean an action figure is six inches tall?
A six-inch-scale label tells you the size family a figure belongs to. An exact height describes a particular release. Hasbro puts its 85th Anniversary Marvel Legends Hulkbuster in its six-inch-scale line and lists the figure at 9.1 inches (about 23 cm). If your shelf has 20 cm of headroom, that upright Hulkbuster is already too tall.
What does 1:12 tell you?
At 1:12, every 12 units on the subject become one unit on the model. A person 180 cm tall would measure 15 cm in a straight standing pose. A 204 cm subject at the very same scale would measure 17 cm. Both figures could belong together in a scene even though the tops of their heads sit at different heights.
The familiar six-inch shorthand makes sense for a six-foot subject. Divide 72 inches by 12 and you get six inches. Working backwards from the height of a toy is harder. You also need the intended height of that version of the character and a comparable pose to establish a ratio.
Two measurements you can use in a listing
Hasbro gives you two numbers for Hulkbuster. Use the six-inch scale designation to identify the collection and the 9.1-inch figure height to start planning the display. Match the 85th Anniversary comics release before borrowing that number for another Hulkbuster. Hasbro Pulse · Toy Snowman — Hulkbuster
Tamashii Nations gives an approximate height of 150 mm for the Dragon Ball GT S.H.Figuarts Super Saiyan 4 Son Goku. That converts to 15 cm. You can compare it directly with the room above your shelf. The measurement alone leaves open how Goku would look beside a different character or how far his hands and effect part would project in your chosen pose. Tamashii Nations · Toy Snowman — Son Goku
How do I judge two figures side by side?
Pick the relationship you want to preserve. For two versions of the same adult character, compare upright heights with similar footwear, then look at head size and shoulder width. For different characters, decide whether one should tower over the other. A crouched figure photographed on a riser can reverse the apparent height order. A shared floor line in a comparison photo helps.
What if the only dimensions are for the box?
Use package dimensions for a boxed display. For a loose display, look for a measurement explicitly attached to the figure. If the maker gives only height, leave width and depth open until you have measurements for the pose and base. A strip of paper cut to the stated height is a quick way to see where the figure would sit against a shelf edge.