Gridfinity Compatible Organizers You Need to Print Now

What Gridfinity is (and why it took over)

In 2022, Zack Freedman released a YouTube video introducing a free, open-source modular storage system he called Gridfinity. The idea was simple: a standardized grid of 42mm × 42mm squares, with bins that snap into baseplates via a z-shaped interlocking profile. Everything is 3D printable. Everything is compatible. And because the spec is open, anyone can design bins for it.

The community ran with it. Within months, there were thousands of Gridfinity-compatible designs on Printables and Thingiverse. Screwdriver holders, battery organizers, soldering iron stands, desk caddies, kitchen drawer dividers. If something fits in a drawer or sits on a bench, someone has designed a Gridfinity bin for it.

I started with a single 4×4 baseplate in my workbench drawer. That was three months ago. I now have seven baseplates across four drawers and a desktop. The system is that useful once you see it working.

The essential prints to start with

Don't print 30 specialty bins before you've lived with the basics. Here's the starter kit that covers 80% of organizational needs.

Baseplates

Everything starts here. A baseplate is a flat grid that bins attach to. Start with a size that fits your drawer. Measure the inside width and depth, divide by 42mm, and round down. A standard IKEA Alex drawer fits roughly a 6×4 or 7×4 grid.

Print time for a 4×4 baseplate: about 3–4 hours in PLA at standard settings. On a larger printer like the Plus4 with its 305mm build plate, you can print a 7×7 baseplate in a single run.

Standard bins (1×1, 2×1, 3×1)

These are your bread and butter. Print a mix of sizes. The 1×1 bins work for screws, SD cards, and small components. 2×1 bins hold pens, USB drives, or small tools. 3×1 bins are good for scissors, markers, or cable adapters.

The height unit in Gridfinity is 7mm. A "3-high" bin gives you 21mm of internal depth. A "5-high" bin gives 35mm. Match the height to what you're storing. Tall bins for standing tools, short bins for flat items like batteries or cards.

Divider bins

A 3×2 or 4×2 bin with internal dividers turns into a parts organizer for screws, nuts, and washers. Some designs include removable divider walls so you can reconfigure without reprinting. These replace those cheap plastic hardware store organizers that crack after six months.

Specialized bins worth your print time

Once the basics are in place, the specialized bins are where Gridfinity starts pulling ahead of any off-the-shelf organizer. You're not limited to rectangular boxes anymore.

Screwdriver and hex key holders

Sized holes that hold specific driver sizes upright. No more rattling around in a drawer. I printed a set with labeled hex key slots (1.5mm through 10mm) and it's one of the most-used prints in my shop. Available in multiple configurations on Printables.

Battery organizers

Fitted slots for AA, AAA, CR2032, and 9V batteries. Some designs include a test LED circuit you can wire in. The community has iterated on these extensively, so the sizing is dialed. Print one and you'll stop buying those cardboard battery caddies.

Soldering station bins

Holders for soldering iron tips, solder spools, flux pens, and tweezers. These combine the Gridfinity grid with tool-specific geometry that no generic organizer offers. A few designs integrate with the DDD Wall Control system so you can mount Gridfinity on a pegboard.

Kitchen drawer inserts

Spice jar holders, utensil dividers, and K-cup organizers. The kitchen is an underrated Gridfinity application. Because you're designing to your exact drawer dimensions, the fit is perfect in a way that store-bought organizers never achieve. Use PETG if the drawer is near a heat source like an oven.

Electronics component bins

Resistor, capacitor, and connector bins with label slots. Some designs use a card-catalog approach with pull-out trays. For anyone working with SMD components or Arduino parts, these are transformative.

If you're looking for more functional print ideas beyond Gridfinity, there's a broader collection worth browsing. And for makers just getting started, the beginner projects guide covers first prints that teach practical skills.

Print settings that actually fit

Gridfinity's 42mm grid is precise. If your prints are even slightly oversized, bins won't seat into baseplates. If they're undersized, they'll rattle. Getting the tolerances right is the difference between a satisfying click and a frustrating wobble.

Recommended settings

Tolerance tips

The 42mm grid spec uses a 41.5mm bin footprint, leaving 0.5mm of clearance. If your printer consistently prints slightly oversized (common with new or uncalibrated machines), you'll notice bins fitting too tightly or not at all.

Print a single 1×1 bin and a small 2×2 baseplate as a test. If the fit is too tight, reduce your horizontal expansion in the slicer by 0.1–0.15mm. If it's too loose, increase it. One test print saves you from wasting a 10-hour baseplate.

The Q2 with its load-cell auto-leveling handles first-layer consistency well, which matters for the baseplate's interlocking profile. For understanding how infill patterns and density affect strength, that guide covers the tradeoffs for functional prints like these.

Customizing the system

The real power of Gridfinity is that you're not limited to downloading other people's designs. The parametric tools let you create exactly what you need.

Gridfinity Rebuilt (OpenSCAD)

The Gridfinity Rebuilt project by kennetek is a ground-up rebuild of the Gridfinity system in OpenSCAD. You input your desired grid size, height, number of dividers, label tab options, and magnet holes, and it generates a printable STL. Over 44,000 downloads on Printables. If you're comfortable editing a few parameters in a script, this is the most flexible tool available.

Web-based generators

For people who'd rather click than code, there are browser-based Gridfinity generators. These let you adjust bin dimensions, add dividers, choose whether to include scoop fronts or label tabs, and export the STL directly. No software installation required.

Magnet and screw options

Standard Gridfinity bins sit in their baseplates by gravity and the z-profile interlock. For bins that need to stay put (on angled surfaces or in drawers that slam shut), you can add 6mm × 2mm magnets in the four corners. Some baseplates also accept 3mm screws. These options add cost and print complexity, but they're worth it for bins that get jostled.

If you find yourself designing custom parts frequently, the guide to designing and printing replacement parts covers the CAD-to-print workflow. And for organizing your espresso station or other small-item collections, Gridfinity bins work as dedicated inserts.

Where to put it all

I've found Gridfinity most useful in these spots:

Workshop tool drawers. This is the obvious one. Wrenches, screwdrivers, drill bits, sandpaper. Every tool has a home. I haven't lost an Allen key in three months, which is a personal record.

Desk drawers. USB cables, dongles, SD cards, Post-its, pens. The desk drawer goes from a tangled mess to something you can actually find things in. A 4×3 baseplate fits most standard desk drawers.

Kitchen junk drawer. Every house has one. Batteries, tape, scissors, rubber bands, twist ties. A Gridfinity baseplate turns the junk drawer into the utility drawer.

Craft and hobby storage. Paint pots, miniature basing supplies, sewing notions, beading supplies. Anything with lots of small items in varied sizes benefits from the modular approach.

Electronics bench. Components, connectors, solder tips, multimeter probes. The pull-out-tray designs are especially good here because you can bring a bin to your work area and return it when done.

Start small. One drawer, one baseplate, a handful of bins. Live with it for a week. Then you'll understand why the Gridfinity community keeps growing. The PLA Basic from the common filaments collection is all you need for this. And for bins that might see more wear or hold heavy tools, a TPU liner or pad on the bottom can keep things from sliding around.