The term scaling can have several meanings:

Scaling can be defined as the determination of the interdependency of variables in a physical system. It involves a combination of dimensional analysis and physical reasoning, and typically requires a good deal of physical intuition. It can, however, be used to great advantage in solving otherwise intractable problems. See also nondimensionalization.

In geometry, scaling can refer to linear transformations.

Scaling is the process of removing scale(s), as from fish, teeth, or metal.

Scaling is the process of measuring distances on a map.

Scaling is a synonym for climbing.

In computer graphics, scaling refers to altering the size of a sprite to make the sprite appear nearer or farther from the player's point of view.