How Long Does It Take to Build a Gundam Model? Build Times by Grade

The honest answer: anywhere from an hour to a few weekends. How long a Gundam model (Gunpla) takes to build depends on three things — the kit's grade, how much you want to finish it, and how much building you've done before. Here's what to expect so you can pick a kit that fits the time you have.

Typical build times by grade

These are straight builds — cutting, cleaning nub marks and snapping the kit together following the manual, with no painting.

• SD / SDCS (Super Deformed): about 1–2 hours. Small part counts and simple assembly make these a good first build.
• Entry Grade (EG): about 1–2 hours. Designed to be built without tools, though nippers still give cleaner results.
• High Grade (HG, 1/144): about 2–5 hours. The most popular grade, with good detail and a manageable part count.
• Real Grade (RG, 1/144): about 5–10 hours. HG size with Master Grade-level detail, so many small parts.
• Master Grade (MG, 1/100): about 8–15 hours. Most MGs have a full inner frame, and Ver.Ka kits sit at the top of that range.
• Perfect Grade (PG, 1/60): 20 hours or more — often spread across several sessions.

Not sure which grade suits you? Our grade guide compares HG, RG, MG and PG side by side, and our scale guide shows how big each one is.

What adds time

• Nub cleanup: sanding gate marks smooth can add an hour or more to an HG and several to an MG.
• Panel lining: an extra 1–3 hours depending on the kit. See how to panel line Gunpla.
• Decals and topcoat: water-slide decals are slow to apply, and a topcoat needs drying time between coats.
• Painting: a full paint job can double or triple the build time. Our painting guide for beginners compares spray cans, airbrushes and hand brushes.

What makes a build faster

• Good tools: sharp single-blade nippers and a hobby knife save a lot of cleanup time. Here's our list of essential Gundam tools.
• Build in sub-assemblies: finish one limb or section per session instead of cutting every runner at once.
• Experience: your second and third kits go noticeably faster as you learn how the manuals and parts are laid out.

Where to start

If you have an afternoon, start with an HG — you'll have a finished model the same day. If you enjoy the process and want a longer project, an RG or MG is the natural next step. Browse our picks of the best Gunpla for beginners, or read the full Gundam 101 beginner guide.