Gridfinity Calculator

Optimize your 3D printing storage and workflow with precise Gridfinity component calculations.

Gridfinity Planning Tool

Calculation Results

Formula Used:
1. Bin Area: (Base Size X – 2 * Wall Thickness) * (Base Size Y – 2 * Wall Thickness)
2. Bin Volume: Bin Area * Bin Height
3. Units per Bin: Floor(Bin Area / (Gridfinity Unit Size²))
4. Bin Material Volume: (Bin Area * Bin Height) – (Item Volume converted to mm³)
5. Bins Needed: Ceil(Item Volume / (Bin Volume converted to cm³ * Units per Bin))
*Note: This is a simplified model. Actual fit may vary.*

Gridfinity Unit Breakdown

Gridfinity Unit	Dimensions (mm)	Area (mm²)	Max Items (Approx.)

Bin Volume vs. Item Volume

What is Gridfinity?

Gridfinity is a revolutionary modular storage system designed by Will Cogley for 3D printing enthusiasts, makers, and anyone looking to organize their workspace efficiently. At its core, Gridfinity uses a standardized base plate with a grid of 40mm x 40mm squares, each featuring four 5mm mounting holes. This simple yet powerful system allows users to design and print custom bins, drawers, organizers, and attachments that seamlessly interlock, creating highly customizable and expandable storage solutions. Whether you’re storing screws, tools, electronic components, or hobby supplies, Gridfinity provides a robust framework for a tidy and productive environment. The system’s strength lies in its adaptability and the vast community that contributes new designs and improvements, making it a go-to solution for workshop organization.

Who should use Gridfinity?

• 3D Printing Hobbyists: To organize filament, tools, spare parts, and printing accessories.
• Woodworkers & Metalworkers: To store hardware, small tools, jigs, and consumables.
• Electronics Enthusiasts: To neatly arrange components, wires, solder, and small tools.
• Hobbyists (e.g., model building, painting): To store paints, brushes, tools, and small pieces.
• Anyone seeking efficient, customizable, and expandable workspace organization.

Common Misconceptions about Gridfinity:

• It’s only for small parts: While excellent for small items, the system scales well to larger tools and components by combining multiple units or using larger specialized bins.
• It’s complex to set up: The basic grid system is straightforward. While advanced customization is possible, getting started is easy with standard bin designs.
• It requires expensive printers: Gridfinity is designed to be accessible and prints well on most FDM 3D printers, often using minimal material.
• It’s just plastic bins: Gridfinity is an ecosystem. It includes bases, stacking bins, drawers, specialized tool holders, power tool adapters, and much more, constantly evolving through community contributions.

Gridfinity Calculator Formula and Mathematical Explanation

The Gridfinity calculator helps determine the optimal bin size, unit count, and material usage based on your specific needs and the Gridfinity system’s dimensions. Understanding the formulas involved provides insight into how these calculations are made.

Core Calculations:

1. Bin Internal Dimensions: The available internal space for storage is determined by subtracting the wall thickness from the base dimensions.
2. Grid Units within Bin: We calculate how many standard Gridfinity units (40x40mm squares) can fit within the internal area of the bin.
3. Effective Bin Volume per Unit: This represents the usable storage volume within a single Gridfinity unit inside the bin.
4. Material Volume: An estimation of the plastic required to print the bin, considering the bin’s external volume minus the internal storage volume.
5. Number of Bins Required: Based on the volume of items you need to store, this estimates how many standard Gridfinity bins are necessary.

Detailed Formulas:

Let’s define the variables used:

• BX = Base Size X (Input)
• BY = Base Size Y (Input)
• BH = Bin Height (Input)
• GU = Gridfinity Unit Size (Input, typically 40mm)
• WT = Wall Thickness (Input)
• IV = Item Volume (Input, in cm³)

Step-by-Step Derivation:

1. Internal Bin Width (IBW): IBW = BX - (2 * WT)
2. Internal Bin Depth (IBD): IBD = BY - (2 * WT)
3. Internal Bin Area (IBA): IBA = IBW * IBD
4. Internal Bin Volume (IBV): IBV = IBA * BH
5. Number of Grid Units Horizontally (GU_X): GU_X = Floor(IBW / GU)
6. Number of Grid Units Vertically (GU_Y): GU_Y = Floor(IBD / GU)
7. Total Grid Units per Bin (TGU): TGU = GU_X * GU_Y
8. Effective Volume per Grid Unit (EVGU): EVGU = (GU * GU) * BH (This is the internal volume of one standard 40x40mm unit at the specified bin height).
9. Total Effective Storage Volume per Bin (TESV): TESV = TGU * EVGU
10. Item Volume in mm³ (IV_mm3): IV_mm3 = IV * 1000
11. Bin Material Volume (BMV): BMV = IBV - IV_mm3 (Approximation: Total internal volume minus item volume). Note: This simplifies printed material, real volume depends on infill, supports, etc.
12. Number of Bins Needed (NBN): NBN = Ceil(IV / (TESV / 1000)). We divide `TESV` by 1000 to convert cm³ to mm³, then divide the total item volume (in mm³) by the effective storage volume per bin (in mm³). The `Ceil` function rounds up to the nearest whole bin.

Variables Table:

Gridfinity Variables Explained

Variable	Meaning	Unit	Typical Range
Base Size X/Y (BX, BY)	External dimensions of the base plate or bin footprint.	mm	40 – 200+
Bin Height (BH)	Internal height of the storage bin.	mm	10 – 160+
Gridfinity Unit Size (GU)	Standard dimension of one Gridfinity square unit.	mm	40 (standard)
Wall Thickness (WT)	Thickness of the bin’s walls and base.	mm	0.8 – 2.0
Item Volume (IV)	Total volume of the items intended for storage.	cm³	10 – 10000+
Internal Bin Width/Depth (IBW, IBD)	Calculated usable internal width/depth of the bin.	mm	Derived
Internal Bin Area (IBA)	Calculated usable internal area of the bin.	mm²	Derived
Total Grid Units (TGU)	Maximum number of 40x40mm units that fit internally.	Count	Derived
Number of Bins Needed (NBN)	Calculated number of bins required for the item volume.	Count	Derived

Practical Examples (Real-World Use Cases)

Example 1: Organizing Small Electronic Components

Scenario: A hobbyist wants to organize various resistors, capacitors, and small ICs. They estimate the total volume of components needing storage is around 300 cm³. They plan to use standard 40x40mm Gridfinity units and a common bin height of 30mm. Their 3D printer typically uses a 1.2mm wall thickness.

Inputs:

• Base Size X: 120mm (3 Grid Units wide)
• Base Size Y: 80mm (2 Grid Units deep)
• Bin Height: 30mm
• Gridfinity Unit Size: 40mm
• Wall Thickness: 1.2mm
• Item Volume: 300 cm³

Calculator Output:

• Optimal Bin Dimensions (WxH): 117.6mm x 77.6mm
• Estimated Number of Gridfinity Units per Bin: 6 units
• Required Bin Material Volume (approx.): ~6468 mm³
• Number of Standard Bins Needed: 1 bin

Interpretation: A single Gridfinity bin, measuring approximately 117.6mm x 77.6mm externally and 30mm high, can comfortably hold all the electronic components. This bin fits 6 standard 40x40mm Gridfinity footprints internally. The calculator estimates the plastic needed for printing is around 6.5 cm³.

Example 2: Storing Larger Workshop Tools

Scenario: A woodworker needs to store a set of Allen keys and hex drivers. The total volume of these tools is estimated at 1500 cm³. They decide on a taller bin height of 60mm and want to maximize the storage area. They are using a base of 160mm x 80mm and a wall thickness of 1.6mm.

Inputs:

• Base Size X: 160mm
• Base Size Y: 80mm
• Bin Height: 60mm
• Gridfinity Unit Size: 40mm
• Wall Thickness: 1.6mm
• Item Volume: 1500 cm³

Calculator Output:

• Optimal Bin Dimensions (WxH): 156.8mm x 76.8mm
• Estimated Number of Gridfinity Units per Bin: 3 units
• Required Bin Material Volume (approx.): ~47385 mm³
• Number of Standard Bins Needed: 1 bin

Interpretation: A taller bin (60mm height) based on a 160x80mm footprint is suitable. Internally, it can accommodate 3 Gridfinity units. The total storage volume within these 3 units is sufficient for the 1500 cm³ of tools. The estimated material volume indicates a substantial print job, appropriate for larger tools. This might also suggest exploring specialized tool holder inserts within the Gridfinity units for better organization.

How to Use This Gridfinity Calculator

This Gridfinity calculator is designed to be intuitive and provide actionable insights for your storage planning. Follow these simple steps:

1. Input Base Dimensions: Enter the desired external width (Base Size X) and depth (Base Size Y) of your Gridfinity bin in millimeters. These typically align with multiples of the 40mm Gridfinity unit, but can be custom.
2. Specify Bin Height: Enter the internal height (Bin Height) you need for your storage items in millimeters.
3. Confirm Unit Size: The standard Gridfinity unit size is 40mm. This is usually pre-filled but can be adjusted if you’re using a non-standard system.
4. Enter Wall Thickness: Input the wall thickness (Wall Thickness) you plan to use for 3D printing your bins in millimeters. Common values range from 1.2mm to 1.6mm.
5. Estimate Item Volume: Provide the total volume (Item Volume) of the items you intend to store in the bin, measured in cubic centimeters (cm³).
6. Calculate: Click the ‘Calculate’ button.

Reading the Results:

• Optimal Bin Dimensions (WxH): Shows the calculated external dimensions of the bin based on your inputs, ensuring the internal space accommodates the desired Gridfinity units and wall thickness.
• Estimated Number of Gridfinity Units per Bin: Indicates how many 40x40mm Gridfinity footprints can fit inside the calculated internal area of the bin.
• Required Bin Material Volume (approx.): Gives an estimate of the plastic volume needed to print the bin. This is a rough guide and doesn’t account for infill density, support material, or specific slicer settings.
• Number of Standard Bins Needed: Based on the total item volume and the effective storage volume per Gridfinity unit within the bin, this tells you how many such bins you’ll need.

Decision-Making Guidance:

Use the results to:

• Choose the right bin size: Select standard or custom bin sizes that efficiently utilize space and fit your items.
• Optimize unit count: Understand how many Gridfinity units fit in a bin, aiding in planning for modularity.
• Estimate print time/material: The material volume gives a rough idea of print duration and filament usage.
• Scale your storage: Determine if one bin is sufficient or if multiple bins are required, helping you plan larger Gridfinity configurations.

Remember to use the ‘Reset’ button to clear fields and start a new calculation, and the ‘Copy Results’ button to easily save or share your findings.

Key Factors That Affect Gridfinity Results

Several factors influence the calculations and practical application of Gridfinity storage. Understanding these helps in refining your planning and achieving optimal results:

1. Item Volume Accuracy: The most critical input. An inaccurate estimate of the total volume of items to be stored will directly lead to over or under-sized bins and incorrect bin counts. Measure carefully or group similar items.
2. Grid Unit Size Standardization: While the calculator uses a default 40mm, deviating from this standard (e.g., using smaller custom units) changes the number of units per bin and overall system compatibility. Sticking to the standard ensures maximum compatibility with existing Gridfinity designs.
3. Bin Height vs. Item Size: Choosing a bin height that is too small will prevent items from fitting, while a height that is excessively large can lead to wasted vertical space and inefficient storage. Match the bin height closely to the tallest item, considering clearance.
4. Wall Thickness and Material Properties: The specified wall thickness impacts both the internal usable space and the amount of material printed. Thicker walls increase strength but reduce internal volume and increase print time. Material choice (e.g., PLA, PETG, ABS) affects strength, flexibility, and heat resistance, influencing durability.
5. Internal Structure and Inserts: The calculator estimates raw volume. However, specialized inserts, dividers, or tool holders within a Gridfinity unit reduce the effective storage volume but dramatically improve organization and accessibility. Factor these in when assessing capacity.
6. Stacking and Base Plate Utilization: The calculator focuses on individual bins. Efficient Gridfinity implementation also depends on how bins are arranged on base plates, how they stack, and how effectively the entire footprint is used. Poor layout can lead to wasted space on the board itself.
7. 0.4mm Nozzle and Layer Height: For 3D printing, the nozzle diameter and layer height significantly affect the actual printed dimensions and the calculated material volume. A 0.4mm nozzle is standard, and layer height choices (e.g., 0.2mm) impact print time and surface finish. The calculator provides an estimate assuming ideal conditions.
8. Units Consolidation: Sometimes, consolidating multiple small items into fewer, larger bins (or fewer Gridfinity units within a bin) can be more space-efficient overall, even if the calculator suggests more smaller units. Strategic thinking about grouping items is key.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the standard Gridfinity unit size?
The standard Gridfinity unit is a 40mm x 40mm square. This calculator uses this as the default.

Can I use custom unit sizes?
Yes, you can adjust the ‘Gridfinity Unit Size’ input if you are working with a non-standard Gridfinity system or custom dimensions. However, this will affect compatibility with standard Gridfinity accessories.

How accurate is the ‘Required Bin Material Volume’?
This calculation is an approximation. It calculates the volume of the bin walls and base but does not account for internal infill patterns, support structures, brim, or raft, which significantly affect the actual filament used. It serves as a relative estimate.

What does ‘Number of Standard Bins Needed’ mean?
This calculation estimates how many bins, designed with the specified dimensions and containing the calculated number of Gridfinity units, are required to hold the total volume of your items. It assumes optimal packing within each unit.

Is the calculator suitable for designing physical base plates?
This calculator primarily focuses on bin dimensions and capacity. While it helps determine the number of units that fit *inside* a bin, it does not directly design the base plates themselves. However, understanding bin dimensions can inform base plate design. For base plate design, consider using CAD software.

What if my items don’t fit perfectly into the calculated units?
Gridfinity is flexible. If items are slightly larger than a single unit, you can combine multiple units (e.g., a 2×1 or 2×2 bin) or use larger, custom-designed bins. The calculator provides a starting point based on volume and standard units.

Can this calculator help with 3D print settings?
No, this calculator does not provide specific 3D print settings (like layer height, infill, speed). It calculates dimensions and volumes based on your inputs. You will need a slicer program (like Cura, PrusaSlicer) for those settings.

How does wall thickness affect the design?
Wall thickness determines the strength and internal volume of your bin. Thicker walls are stronger but reduce the available space inside and require more filament. The calculator uses your input to determine internal dimensions and approximate material usage.