MacGizmo GridGen is a parametric generator for prototype perfboards.
Configure your grid, add power rails, mounting holes and silkscreen labels.
Place SMD Adapters and module overlays to plan your layout –
then export production-ready Gerber files for any PCB manufacturer.
Everything you need to go from idea to manufactured perfboard.
📐
Parametric Grid
Set board dimensions, pad pitch and grid size. The layout adapts instantly to your requirements.
⚡
Power Rails
Add configurable VCC and GND rails along the edges of your board – just like a classic breadboard.
🔩
Board Details
Mounting holes with configurable drill size and placement patterns. Row and column labels on the silkscreen for easy component reference.
🧩
Modules & SMD-Adapters
Plan your layout with placeholders for popular dev boards like ESP32 or Arduino Nano on your grid. Add SMD adapter zones for SOT, SOIC, TSSOP and more to route surface-mount parts to a through-hole layout.
👁️
Live Preview
See your board rendered in real-time as you adjust parameters.
What you see is what gets manufactured.
📦
Gerber Export
Download production-ready Gerber and Excellon drill files. Upload directly to the PCB manufacturer of your choice.
Three steps to your custom perfboard
1
Configure
Set your board dimensions, choose pad grid density, enable power rails, mounting holes and silkscreen labels. The live preview updates with every change.
2
Preview & Adjust
Check the rendered board in the interactive preview. Verify pad placement,
rail positions and hole keepout zones. Place module overlays like ESP32 or Arduino Nano to verify component fit. Add SMD adapter areas, to integrate typical surface mounted devices in the grid. Fine-tune until it's right.
3
Export & Order
Download the Gerber file package (copper layers, solder mask, silkscreen, drill file) and upload it to your preferred PCB manufacturer. Boards typically arrive within a week.
MacGizmo GridGen is built and maintained by Martin – electronics engineer and founder of MacGizmo.
Looking for soldering kits, maker tools or electronics gadgets?
The European Commission provides a platform for online dispute resolution (OS):
https://ec.europa.eu/consumers/odr.
We are not willing or obliged to participate in dispute resolution proceedings before a consumer arbitration board.
Terms of Use
Last updated: February 2026
1. Scope
These Terms of Use govern the use of the MacGizmo GridGen online tool ("Service") provided by Martin Maier / MacGizmo ("Operator"), accessible at gridgen.macgizmo.com. By using the Service, you agree to these terms.
2. Service Description
MacGizmo GridGen is a free online tool for generating parametric prototype perfboard designs and exporting them as Gerber manufacturing files. The Service is provided "as is" without warranties of any kind.
3. Usage Rights
The Service is free for personal and commercial use.
Generated Gerber files are yours – you may use, modify and manufacture them without restriction.
Generated files contain a "MacGizmo GridGen" silkscreen label on the board.
4. Disclaimer of Warranty
The Service is provided "as is" and "as available" without warranty of any kind, express or implied, including but not limited to warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement. The Operator does not warrant that generated files are error-free or suitable for any specific manufacturing process.
5. Limitation of Liability
The Operator shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential or special damages arising from the use of or inability to use the Service, including but not limited to damages resulting from manufactured boards. Users are responsible for verifying generated files before ordering production.
6. Intellectual Property
The MacGizmo GridGen software, design and brand are the property of the Operator. The open-source components are licensed under their respective licenses as published in the project repository.
7. Modifications
The Operator reserves the right to modify, suspend or discontinue the Service at any time without notice. These Terms may be updated; continued use constitutes acceptance of revised terms.
8. Governing Law
These Terms are governed by the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany. For consumers within the EU, mandatory consumer protection provisions of the consumer's country of residence apply in addition.
Privacy Notice
Last updated: February 2026
Short version
MacGizmo GridGen is designed with privacy in mind. The tool runs entirely in your browser. No user data, board designs or generated files are transmitted to or stored on our servers.
Data Processing
Board designs: All computations happen client-side in your browser. We do not collect, transmit or store your designs.
Gerber files: Files are generated locally in your browser and downloaded directly to your device. No server upload occurs.
Cookies: This page does not use cookies or tracking technologies.
Analytics: We collect anonymous usage statistics (page views, tool loads, Gerber exports) to understand how the tool is used. This data contains no personal information – no IP addresses, no device fingerprints, no user identifiers. The referrer domain (not the full URL) is stored to understand how visitors find this tool. All data is stored on our own server within the EU. No third-party analytics services are used.
Hosting
This website is hosted by HOSTINGER operations, UAB. The hosting provider may collect technical access logs (IP address, timestamp, requested resource) as required for server operation. See their privacy policy for details.
External Resources
This page uses locally stored fonts. No third-party resources are loaded.
Your Rights (GDPR)
As a data subject under EU/EEA law, you have the right to access, rectification, erasure, restriction, data portability, and objection. Since we do not collect personal data through this tool, these rights are largely not applicable. For any questions, contact us at info@macgizmo.com.
Responsible Party
Martin Maier / MacGizmo (see Imprint for full contact details).