Your workshop drawers are a mess, and a spool of filament is cheaper than another plastic organizer. Gridfinity, the open-source modular storage system created by Zack Freedman, solves this with a standardized grid of baseplates and bins that snap together, rearrange in seconds, and print on almost any FDM machine. This guide covers the standard’s dimensions, the best print settings, the baseplate options, and the mistakes that ruin first prints.
Quick Takeaways
- Gridfinity is a free, open standard built on a 42 mm x 42 mm grid with 7 mm height increments.
- Baseplates hold the grid. Bins snap into them and can be swapped without tools.
- A standard 1×1 bin prints in roughly 30 to 60 minutes with a 0.4 mm nozzle and 0.2 mm layers.
- PLA or PETG works for most bins. Use PETG or ABS for hot garages and workshops.
| Component | Standard Size | Typical Print Time | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1×1 bin (7 mm high) | 42 x 42 x 7 mm | 30-60 min | Easy |
| 2×2 bin (3U high) | 84 x 84 x 21 mm | 2-4 hrs | Easy |
| 4×4 baseplate | 168 x 168 mm | 4-8 hrs | Moderate |
| Magnetic baseplate | 42 mm per cell | 6-12 hrs + magnets | Moderate |
What Is Gridfinity?
Gridfinity is a modular storage ecosystem. You print a baseplate that sits in a drawer or on a shelf. You print bins that drop into it. Every part follows the same dimensional rules, so a bin from one designer fits a baseplate from another.
Zack Freedman released the system in 2022, and the community has since produced thousands of bins for screws, bits, SD cards, calipers, soldering tools, and more. The standard is hardware-agnostic: you can print it on a Bambu Lab, Prusa, Creality, Voron, or any printer with a bed around 180 x 180 mm or larger.
Why It Beat Every Other Organizer System
- Standard grid. Every part snaps to a 42 mm pitch.
- Height units. Bins grow in 7 mm steps (called 1U), so shelves and drawers stay tidy.
- Free to modify. Parametric generators let you set custom dimensions in seconds.
- Cheap. A 1×1 bin uses about 8 to 15 g of filament.
Gridfinity Dimensions and Specifications
Understanding the numbers keeps you from printing parts that do not fit.
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Grid pitch | 42 mm |
| Bin footprint tolerance | 41.5 mm (0.5 mm clearance) |
| Height unit (1U) | 7 mm |
| Baseplate height | 4.65 mm (standard) |
| Stacking lip profile | 45-degree chamfer, 2.6 mm |
| Magnet size (common) | 6 mm x 2 mm |
| Screw size (optional) | M3 |
The 0.5 mm gap per bin lets bins slide in even on slightly over-extruded prints. If your parts fit too tightly, your flow rate or XY compensation needs work.
Types of Gridfinity Baseplates
Choosing the right baseplate matters more than choosing the right bins.
| Baseplate Type | Hold Strength | Print Time | Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard (no magnets) | Light | Low | Lowest | Shelves, desks |
| Magnetic | Strong | Medium | Medium | Drawers, tool chests |
| Screw-down | Fixed | Low | Low | Permanent builds |
| Weighted | Very strong | High | High | Heavy tools, vibration |
| Skeletonized | Moderate | Fastest | Lowest | Speed and material savings |
Magnetic vs. Non-Magnetic
Magnets add 6 mm x 2 mm neodymium discs (typically N35) in each corner of every cell. Four magnets per cell is the full build, but two per cell is plenty for most drawers.
Always check polarity before gluing. Mixing polarity is the most common mistake. A simple method:
- Stack all magnets in a single column.
- Mark the top face of the stack with a marker.
- Insert every magnet marked-side up into baseplates, and marked-side down into bins.
Recommended Print Settings
Gridfinity is forgiving, but dialed-in settings produce parts that click in cleanly.
| Setting | Recommended Value |
|---|---|
| Nozzle | 0.4 mm (0.6 mm for fast bins) |
| Layer height | 0.2 mm (0.28 mm for draft bins) |
| Walls | 2 to 3 perimeters |
| Infill | 10 to 15% gyroid or grid |
| Top/bottom layers | 4 to 5 |
| Print speed | 60 to 150 mm/s (depends on printer) |
| Bed temp (PLA) | 60 C |
| Nozzle temp (PLA) | 200-215 C |
| Nozzle temp (PETG) | 235-250 C |
| Elephant foot compensation | 0.1 to 0.2 mm |
| Supports | None (design-dependent) |
Fix Elephant Foot First
Gridfinity bins rely on a precise bottom profile. If the first layer squishes outward, the bin will not seat. Enable elephant foot compensation in your slicer, or lower bed temperature by 5 degrees C after the first layer.
Dimensional Calibration Test
Print one 1×1 bin and a 2×2 baseplate before committing to a full set. Test fit. If the bin wobbles, reduce your XY hole compensation. If it jams, increase it by 0.05 mm at a time.
Materials Comparison for Gridfinity
| Material | Strength | Heat Resistance | Print Ease | Cost | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PLA | Good | ~55 C | Easiest | Low | Indoor desks, shelves |
| PETG | Better | ~75 C | Easy | Low | Garages, workshops |
| ABS/ASA | Great | ~95-100 C | Hard | Medium | Hot vehicles, heavy use |
| TPU | Flexible | ~80 C | Moderate | Higher | Lining, cushioning inserts |
Use PLA for baseplates in climate-controlled rooms. Use PETG for anything near a window, car, or garage door where temperatures spike.
How to Build Your First Gridfinity System
Follow these steps to avoid wasting filament.
Step 1: Measure the Space
Measure the interior of your drawer or shelf in millimeters. Divide each dimension by 42. Round down to whole cells.
Example: A drawer that measures 520 x 380 mm fits 12 x 9 cells (504 x 378 mm). The leftover space is filled with padding or a custom spacer.
Step 2: Generate the Baseplate
Use a parametric tool. Popular options include:
- Gridfinity Generator (gridfinity.perplexinglabs.com)
- Gridfinity Extended for Fusion 360 and Blender
- Gridfinity Rebuilt for OpenSCAD
If your drawer has leftover space, choose a baseplate with padding that centers the grid.
Step 3: Print Baseplate Tiles
Large baseplates exceed most beds. Print them as 4×4 or 5×5 tiles and join with connectors. Many designs include dovetail or clip joiners.
Step 4: Print Bins by Use Case
Start with five types:
- Screws and fasteners: 2×1 or 2×2 with dividers
- Bit holders: custom hex socket bins
- Small parts: 1×1 with label tab
- Tool holders: pliers, snips, tweezers
- Electronics: resistors, SD cards, connectors
Step 5: Label Everything
Gridfinity bins ship with label tabs. Use a label maker or print removable tags. Sticky labels on the front slope work best.
Customizing Bins with Parametric Code
If you use OpenSCAD with Gridfinity Rebuilt, you can generate bins with exact dimensions in seconds. Here is a minimal example:
include <gridfinity-rebuilt-openscad/gridfinity-rebuilt-utility.scad>
include <gridfinity-rebuilt-openscad/gridfinity-rebuilt-bins.scad>
// Bin width x depth x height units
gridx = 2;
gridy = 2;
gridz = 6; // 6 x 7 mm = 42 mm tall
// Dividers and label
divx = 2;
divy = 1;
style_tab = 1; // 0 = full, 1 = auto, 2 = left, 3 = center, 4 = right, 5 = none
// Magnets and screws
enable_magnets = true;
gridfinityInit(gridx, gridy, height(gridz, 0), 0, 42) {
cut(0, 0, gridx, gridy, 5, 0);
}
gridfinityBase(gridx, gridy, 42, 0, 0, 1);
This creates a 2×2 bin at 42 mm tall with magnet holes. Change gridz to scale the height.
Practical Use Cases and Real-World Projects
Electronics Workbench
Makers organize resistors, ICs, jumper wires, and connectors in 1×1 and 2×1 bins with label tabs. Anti-static filament is optional but useful for sensitive parts.
Woodworking Shop
Woodworkers print deep 3U or 4U bins for screws, dowels, and drill bits. Pair them with PETG baseplates for sawdust and temperature swings.
3D Printer Maintenance Station
Store nozzles, hotend socks, PTFE tubing, belts, and allen keys in a dedicated drawer. Include a nozzle cleaning kit bin with a brass brush and 0.4 mm cleaning needles.
Kitchen and Craft Storage
Beads, buttons, sewing notions, and spices fit in food-safe PETG bins (verify your filament is certified food-contact).
Automotive and Garage
Mechanics use ASA or PETG baseplates in rolling tool carts. Heavy sockets and wrenches sit in custom-cut bins that match each tool’s silhouette.
Common Gridfinity Mistakes and Fixes
| Problem | Likely Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Bin will not seat | Elephant foot or over-extrusion | Add 0.1-0.2 mm compensation, recalibrate flow |
| Bin wobbles | Under-extrusion or loose tolerance | Increase flow 2%, check calipers |
| Magnets pop out | Hole too loose | Reduce hole size by 0.05 mm, add a drop of CA glue |
| Warped baseplate | Poor bed adhesion | Raise bed temp, add brim, use enclosure |
| Weak stacking lip | Too few perimeters | Use 3 walls and 15% infill |
Klipper and Marlin Tips for Gridfinity
If you print dozens of bins, tune acceleration and pressure advance for clean corners.
Klipper (printer.cfg):
[extruder]
pressure_advance: 0.04 # tune per filament
[printer]
max_accel: 5000
max_accel_to_decel: 2500
square_corner_velocity: 5.0
Marlin (Configuration_adv.h):
#define LIN_ADVANCE
#define LIN_ADVANCE_K 0.08
Dial in pressure advance first. Sharp corners on the stacking lip make the biggest fit difference.
Where to Download Gridfinity Files
| Source | Content | License |
|---|---|---|
| Printables | Bins, baseplates, generators | Mostly CC BY |
| MakerWorld | Optimized for Bambu printers | Varies |
| Thingiverse | Large legacy library | Varies |
| GitHub | Parametric OpenSCAD and CAD code | MIT / open source |
Always check the license before commercial sales of printed bins.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size is a Gridfinity grid unit?
One Gridfinity cell measures 42 mm x 42 mm. Bins increase in height by 7 mm per unit. A “3U” bin is 21 mm tall.
Do you need magnets for Gridfinity?
No. Magnets are optional. Standard baseplates hold bins by friction and the stacking lip. Magnets add holding strength for drawers, carts, and anything that moves. Use 6 mm x 2 mm neodymium discs for the standard fit.
What is the best filament for Gridfinity?
PLA suits most indoor use and prints easily. PETG handles heat and impact better and is the best choice for garages and workshops. Use ASA for hot vehicles or outdoor tool storage.
Can you print Gridfinity on a small printer?
Yes. A 180 x 180 mm bed prints a 4×4 baseplate section (168 x 168 mm). Join sections with dovetail connectors to cover larger drawers.
