The Best Magnets for Gridfinity
The standard Gridfinity magnet is a 6mm × 2mm neodymium disc, and it's the upgrade that turns a stack of printed bins into a storage system that snaps into place. Here's how to choose the right size and grade, how many you'll need, and how to install them without headaches.
- 6 × 2mmStandard Magnet Size
- 42 mmGrid Square
- 4Magnets per Square
- 1.6 lbPull Force per N52 Magnet
What is Gridfinity?
Gridfinity is a free, open-source modular storage system for 3D printers. Zack Freedman introduced it in April 2022, and it has since grown into one of the most popular projects in the 3D printing world.
Everything is built on multiples of 7. A baseplate is a grid of 42 × 42 mm squares, and bins come in heights of 7 mm units. Print a baseplate for your drawer, drop in bins of any size, and rearrange them whenever your needs change.
Magnets are optional, but most makers add them.
Why add magnets to Gridfinity?
Without magnets, Gridfinity bins sit loosely in their sockets. That works on a desk, but bins slide and tip when a drawer slams or a toolbox gets carried. Magnets fix that.
- Bins snap in and stay put. A magnet in each corner of the bin meets a magnet in the baseplate, so bins lock in place but still lift out with one hand.
- Baseplates grip steel. Magnets in the underside of a baseplate hold it to a steel drawer, tool chest or cabinet shelf with no screws or adhesive.
- No tools to rearrange. Unlike M3 screws, the other common way to secure bins, magnets let you reconfigure a whole drawer in seconds.
What size magnet does Gridfinity use?
The Gridfinity standard calls for 6 mm diameter × 2 mm thick disc magnets. Nearly every bin and baseplate you download is designed around this size, so start here unless a model says otherwise.
6 × 2 mm N52 Neodymium Disc Magnets (150 Pack)
| Size | 6 mm dia. × 2 mm thick |
|---|---|
| Grade | N52 (also available in N42) |
| Pull force | 1.6 lbs per magnet |
| Magnetization | Axial (poles on the flat faces) |
| Coating | Nickel-Copper-Nickel (Ni-Cu-Ni) |
| Max Operating Temp | 176°F (80°C) |
Other Sizes in Gridfinity Designs
Some designs use a different magnet to save filament or add holding power. Always check the model's description before you order.
| Magnet | Grade | Pack | Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 × 2 mm Disc | N52 | 150 | The Gridfinity standard, strongest grade |
| 6 × 2 mm Disc | N42 | 150 | The Gridfinity standard, lower cost |
| 6 × 3 mm Disc | N42 | 120 | Baseplates with deeper holes built for 6 × 3 mm |
| 6 × 1 mm Disc | N52 | 250 | Thin "light" baseplates that accept 6 × 1 mm |
| 5 × 1 mm Disc | N52 | 350 | Slim remixes sized for 5 × 1 mm magnets |
Pro Tip: Two 6 × 1 mm magnets stacked together behave like one 6 × 2 mm magnet, so the thinner size can cover both jobs in a pinch.
Grade N42 or N52?
Both grades work well in Gridfinity. The number reflects the magnet's maximum energy, so an N52 magnet gives a noticeably firmer snap than an N42 magnet of the same size. See our magnet grades guide for the details.
- Choose N42 for desk and drawer setups where you lift bins often. The hold is secure, the bins pop out easily, and the pack costs less.
- Choose N52 for toolboxes, carts and anything that moves or gets bumped. It's also the better pick for baseplates that need to grip a steel surface through a layer of plastic.
If bins lift the whole baseplate when you pull them out, your magnets are stronger than you need. Drop to N42, or use magnets in fewer corners.
How many magnets do you need?
The standard layout uses 4 magnets per grid square, one in each corner. That applies to the baseplate and to the bottom of every bin, so bins can drop in at any rotation.
| Baseplate | Grid squares | Magnets for the baseplate |
|---|---|---|
| 3 × 3 | 9 | 36 |
| 4 × 4 | 16 | 64 |
| 5 × 5 | 25 | 100 |
| 6 × 5 | 30 | 120 |
For bins, multiply the bin's grid squares by 4. A 1 × 1 bin takes 4 magnets and a 2 × 1 bin takes 8. A 150-pack of 6 × 2 mm magnets fills a 4 × 4 baseplate and leaves 86 for bins.
You don't have to fill every hole. Four magnets at the outer corners of a large bin are usually enough, and you can add more later if something feels loose.
Outfitting a whole shop? Volume discounts are built into every product page, up to 35% off when you buy multiple packs.
How to Install Gridfinity Magnets
- Check the hole size. Many generators default to 6.5 mm holes so magnets drop in easily, which means you'll need glue. A hole closer to 6.0 mm gives a press fit with no glue. Print one test square first, and adjust your slicer's X-Y hole compensation if the fit is off.
- Get the polarity right. This is the most common Gridfinity mistake. Every magnet in the baseplate should face the same pole up, and every bin magnet should face the opposite pole down. Before you start, mark the top face of a stack with a marker, then install every magnet in that stack the same way.
- Press or glue them in. For press-fit holes, push each magnet in with a flat tool or tap it gently with a rubber mallet. For loose holes, add a small drop of CA glue such as StarBond EM-2000 and let it cure before you drop bins in.
- Test before you fill the drawer. Drop a bin in at all four rotations. It should snap down every time. If one corner pushes away, that magnet is flipped.
Skip the soldering iron. Some makers heat-set magnets into undersized holes, but neodymium magnets lose strength when they get too hot. Standard N grades are rated to 176°F (80°C).
The community has also designed printable helpers that make this faster, including press-fit installer jigs and magnet dispensers that feed out magnets in the same orientation every time.
Gridfinity Magnet Project Ideas
Once you have a pack of magnets on hand, Gridfinity gets a lot more useful:
- Toolbox drawers that travel. Magnetic baseplates grip the steel drawer, and magnetic bins stay locked in while you roll the cart around the shop.
- Wall-mounted grids. Mount a small baseplate on the wall or a pegboard and use magnets to keep bins from sliding out.
- Magnetic lids. Add a magnet to a bin lid and a matching magnet to the rim for small parts that must not spill.
- A magnet dispenser. One of the most popular Gridfinity prints is a bin that stores your spare magnets and feeds them out one at a time, already facing the right way.
- Desk and workbench organizers. Pens, bits, batteries and SD cards each get a bin that snaps back into the same spot every time.
Neodymium Magnet Safety
- Keep them away from children and pets. Swallowing two or more magnets can cause serious internal injury. Store loose magnets in a closed container.
- Handle them gently. Neodymium is brittle. Magnets that snap together can chip, so slide them apart instead of pulling.
Read our full magnet safety information before you start.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size magnets does Gridfinity use?
The Gridfinity standard uses 6 × 2 mm neodymium disc magnets (6 mm diameter, 2 mm thick). Some remixes use 6 × 3 mm, 6 × 1 mm or 5 × 1 mm magnets, so check the model's description before you order.
How many magnets does a Gridfinity baseplate need?
Four per grid square, one in each corner. A 4 × 4 baseplate takes 64 magnets and a 6 × 5 baseplate takes 120. Bins use four magnets per grid square as well.
Should I use N42 or N52 magnets for Gridfinity?
N42 is plenty for desk and drawer setups where you lift bins often. N52 gives a firmer hold for toolboxes, carts and baseplates that grip a steel surface. If bins pull the baseplate up with them, the magnets are stronger than you need.
Do I need glue to install Gridfinity magnets?
Not if the holes are sized for a press fit, around 6.0 mm for a 6 mm magnet. Holes printed at 6.5 mm or larger need a small drop of CA glue to keep the magnets from pulling out.
Why do my Gridfinity bins push away instead of snapping in?
One or more magnets are installed with the wrong pole facing out. Every baseplate magnet should face the same pole up, and every bin magnet the opposite pole down. Pop out the magnet that repels, flip it, and reinstall it.
Can I use Gridfinity without magnets?
Yes. Magnets are optional. Bins sit in the baseplate sockets on their own, and some makers secure them with M3 screws instead. Magnets are the easiest way to keep bins in place while still being able to rearrange them in seconds.
Ready to upgrade your grid?
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