Wood carving is an art form where proportion plays a pivotal role in determining whether a figure appears realistic or stylized. Skilled carvers meticulously study human and animal anatomy to replicate lifelike dimensions, ensuring balanced ratios between limbs, facial features, and body segments. For realistic figures, precise measurements—such as the "head-to-body" rule (typically 1:7 for adults)—are crucial. Stylized carvings, however, intentionally distort proportions to evoke emotion or cultural symbolism, like elongated limbs in tribal art or exaggerated features in caricatures.

Tools like calipers and grids help maintain accuracy, while freehand techniques allow creative deviations. Whether aiming for realism or abstraction, mastering proportion transforms raw wood into expressive art, blending technical skill with artistic vision.