Hinweis — Dieses Werkzeug liefert einen unverbindlichen Orientierungswert auf Grundlage Ihrer Eingaben und der im Werkzeug hinterlegten typisierten Annahmen. Es prüft Ihren Einzelfall nicht und kennt die baulichen, technischen und rechtlichen Gegebenheiten Ihres Betriebs nicht; eine Auslegung, Planung oder Fachberatung ist damit nicht verbunden. Lassen Sie das Ergebnis vor einer Beschaffungs-, Installations- oder Umbauentscheidung durch eine qualifizierte Fachperson prüfen. Für die Eigenschaften eines konkreten Produkts sind allein die Angaben auf der jeweiligen Produktseite und individuell getroffene Vereinbarungen maßgeblich.
Gastronorm — GN for short — is the grid the entire professional kitchen is built on. Buy a combi steamer, a refrigerated counter and a servery from three different manufacturers and the same containers still fit all three. That is exactly what the standard was created for. This page gives you every dimension, the nominal volume of each depth, and a calculator that shows you the matching container from our range.
Outer dimensions per EN 631-1. The usable volume is a nominal value (length × width × depth × 0.80) — tapered walls, rim and fill height are accounted for. For recipes, please use the value from the manufacturer's data sheet.
Dashed: the area of a GN 1/1 (530 × 325 mm). Blue: the selected size, to scale.
How the base area divides up
The fraction always refers to the area, never to a single edge. This is the most common mistake when ordering: GN 1/2 is not the halved length, but 325 × 265 mm — the long edge of the 1/1 becomes the short edge of the 1/2.
Only the 1/2 divides exactly: two GN 1/2 together make up exactly the base area of a 1/1. For 1/3 and 1/6 the standard's dimensions are rounded to whole millimetres, so three or six containers together fall about half a percent short of the full 1/1 area. This difference is intentional and is used up as clearance for the rim and support — they still fit side by side in the same opening.
All GN sizes at a glance
Every standardised size with outer dimension and nominal volume per depth. Where we stock the container, the cheapest one is linked directly — the prices come from the current range, not from a sample table.
| GN | Außenmaß | 20 mm | 40 mm | 65 mm | 100 mm | 150 mm | 200 mm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GN 2/1 | 650 × 530 mm | 5.5 l on request | 11 l on request | 18 l on request | 28 l on request | 41 l on request | 55 l on request |
| GN 1/1 | 530 × 325 mm | 2.8 l from 4.36 € | 5.5 l from 5.12 € | 9.0 l from 5.46 € | 14 l from 8.18 € | 21 l from 12.34 € | 28 l from 14.29 € |
| GN 2/3 | 354 × 325 mm | 1.8 l from 3.30 € | 3.7 l from 4.23 € | 6.0 l from 5.00 € | 9.2 l from 7.20 € | 14 l from 10.53 € | 18 l from 12.48 € |
| GN 1/2 | 325 × 265 mm | 1.4 l from 2.33 € | 2.8 l from 3.12 € | 4.5 l from 3.50 € | 6.9 l from 5.20 € | 10 l from 7.74 € | 14 l from 9.28 € |
| GN 1/3 | 325 × 176 mm | 0.9 l from 2.00 € | 1.8 l from 2.65 € | 3.0 l from 2.79 € | 4.6 l from 4.03 € | 6.9 l from 5.85 € | 9.2 l from 6.88 € |
| GN 1/4 | 265 × 162 mm | 0.7 l from 1.62 € | 1.4 l from 2.47 € | 2.2 l from 2.54 € | 3.4 l from 3.71 € | 5.2 l from 5.20 € | 6.9 l from 7.09 € |
| GN 1/6 | 176 × 162 mm | 0.5 l on request | 0.9 l on request | 1.5 l from 1.95 € | 2.3 l from 2.47 € | 3.4 l from 3.06 € | 4.6 l from 6.23 € |
| GN 1/9 | 176 × 108 mm | 0.3 l on request | 0.6 l on request | 1.0 l from 1.35 € | 1.5 l from 1.82 € | 2.3 l from 3.44 € | 3.0 l on request |
Which appliance takes which GN size?
The GN size is rarely a free choice — it results from the appliance. A pizza cooling table works with 1/6, a salad bar mostly with 1/3, the serving line with 1/1 or several 1/2. These appliances from our range each dictate the size:
-
MaximaYou save 37%2-Year WarrantyCommercial Bain Marie - with Tap - incl. 1/1 GN Set - Electric
-
MaximaYou save 37%2-Year WarrantyCommercial Bain Marie - with Tap - incl. 3 x 1/3 GN Set - Electric
-
MaximaYou save 38%2-Year WarrantyCommercial Countertop Refrigerated Display - 140 cm - Fits 6 x 1/3 GN
-
MaximaYou save 40%2-Year WarrantyCommercial Pizza Prep Counter - 137 cm - 3 Doors - Fits 8 x 1/6 GN - incl. Stainless Steel Cover
-
StalgastYou save 25%Electric Chafing Dish, Plastic Basin, GN 1/1, for Containers up to 100 mm
Frequently asked questions
What exactly does GN 1/1 mean?
GN 1/1 is the base size of the EN 631-1 standard: 530 × 325 mm. All other sizes are fractions of this area — GN 1/2 is half, GN 1/3 a third of the base area. The length often stays the same; only the width changes.
Which depth do I need?
20 and 40 mm for side dishes, cold cuts and salads in the serving line. 65 mm is the general-purpose depth. 100 mm for stews, sauces and bakes. 150 and 200 mm for stock holding and large quantities of liquid — mind the weight once filled.
Stainless steel or polycarbonate?
Stainless steel goes into the oven, combi steamer and bain-marie and withstands high temperatures. Polycarbonate is transparent, lighter and cheaper — ideal for chilling and storage, but not for the oven. Perforated stainless steel containers are for steaming and draining.
What are perforated GN containers for?
They let steam and liquid pass through: for cooking in the combi steamer, for draining after blanching, and for vegetables that shouldn't sit in their own juice. Usually a perforated insert is combined with an unperforated container underneath.
Do GN containers fit every combi steamer?
The base area fits — that's what GN is standardised for. What isn't standardised is the spacing of the rails: the manufacturer sets that grid. An appliance rated for a certain number of 1/1 inserts means that number with shallow containers; a deeper container can block the level above, so fewer inserts fit. How many fit at which depth is in the appliance's data sheet — don't calculate it up from the insert count.
The system behind the numbers
The base size is GN 1/1 at 530 × 325 mm. Every other designation is a fraction of that area — not of a single edge. This is the mistake that gets made when ordering: GN 1/2 is not half the length, it is 325 × 265 mm, so the long edge of the 1/1 becomes the short edge of the 1/2. Two 1/2 pans fill a 1/1 exactly, as do three 1/3.
Choosing the right depth
The size is usually dictated by the appliance. The depth is a real decision, and it is regularly made too generously. 20 and 40 mm for sides, cold cuts and salads on the servery. 65 mm is the all-purpose depth. 100 mm for stews and sauces. 150 and 200 mm for storage and large volumes of liquid.
A warning that appears on no datasheet: a full GN 1/1 at 200 mm weighs well over 25 kilograms. That is not something to lift down from shoulder height. For heavy liquids two 1/2 pans are almost always the better choice — same quantity, half the individual weight.
Stainless steel, polycarbonate or perforated?
Stainless steel is the standard wherever heat is involved: oven, combi steamer, bain-marie. Polycarbonate is transparent, lighter and cheaper — ideal for chilling and storage, but never for the oven. Perforated pans let steam and liquid through: for steaming and for draining after blanching.