{
 "version": "2026-10-20",
 "license": "Dimension sheets: CC BY 4.0. Standard and published-size files: CC BY 4.0. Xem Studio's own designs (files_license = Xem Studio Design License): free to use and sell things from, not to redistribute as files — https://xemstudio.com/license/. Other publishers' files: their own license, linked beside them.",
 "slug": "system-32-shelf-pin-holes",
 "name": "System 32 shelf-pin holes: 32 mm pitch, 37 mm setback, 5 mm and 1/4 in holes, depth + drilling templates",
 "kind": "standard",
 "category": "Hardware",
 "group": "Furniture & cabinet hardware",
 "year": null,
 "question": "What spacing and hole size do 5 mm and 1/4 in shelf pins need in the 32 mm system?",
 "tags": [
  "system 32",
  "32 mm system",
  "shelf pin",
  "shelf support",
  "cabinet",
  "drill template",
  "5mm",
  "1/4 in",
  "37 mm"
 ],
 "aliases": [
  "system 32 hole spacing",
  "shelf pin hole size 5mm",
  "32 mm system 37 mm setback",
  "1/4 inch shelf pin hole spacing",
  "shelf pin drill depth",
  "shelf pin template 32mm stl",
  "shelf pin jig dimensions",
  "cabinet hole spacing 32mm"
 ],
 "overall_mm": {
  "length": 328,
  "width": 60,
  "height": 14
 },
 "official_cad": false,
 "xem_status": "free-files",
 "les": false,
 "free_files": 2,
 "url": "https://xemstudio.com/objects/system-32-shelf-pin-holes/",
 "sheet_txt": "https://xemstudio.com/objects/system-32-shelf-pin-holes/sheet.txt",
 "sheet": {
  "basis": "Wikipedia's 32 mm system page and four tool-maker pages (Rockler, Kreg, Veritas, Shaper) for the grid; McMaster's category for inch pin sizes. Files: two drilling templates (5 mm and 1/4 in) at the published pitch and setback, plate and fence are Xem choices",
  "overall_mm": {
   "length": 328,
   "width": 60,
   "height": 14
  },
  "notes": [
   "The 32 mm system puts holes on a 32 mm pitch in columns set 37 mm from the front edge of a cabinet side; shelf pins sit in the 5 mm holes (or 1/4 in holes for inch jigs) in the same grid. The 5 mm pins themselves (diameter and length variants) are on the page shelf-pins-5mm; this page adds the grid and the 1/4 in hole.",
   "Agreement: 32 mm pitch (five pages), 37 mm setback (four pages), 5 mm hole (three pages). Rockler also prints a 64 mm setback for its farther row; Veritas prints 8 mm holes for fittings alongside the 5 mm. Hole depth appears only on Wikipedia (12–14 mm); Rockler, Kreg, Veritas and Shaper pages do not print it, so it is a single-source figure. Wikipedia's pin length (15–16 mm) and flange (about 7 mm) are likewise single-source.",
   "Hole sizes on the template files are the published 5 mm and 1/4 in (6.35 mm). The plate is 60 mm wide and 6 mm thick with ten holes and a 14 mm fence on the front edge; 20 mm end margins. Those are Xem choices (Rockler's jig plate is 6 mm thick and 20 in long, which is not copied). Print the template and use it as a drill guide with a stop for the depth.",
   "Inch shelf pins: McMaster-Carr's category lists peg diameters of 1/8, 3/16, 9/32 and 1/4 in and peg depths of 5/16, 3/8 and 7/16 in; it prints no separate hole size, so the peg diameter is treated as the hole size only for the 1/4 in pin that matches Rockler's 1/4 in bit.",
   "Not here: the 5 mm pin shapes (see shelf-pins-5mm), any hole spacing for rear rows beyond 64 mm, and a pitch for a 1/4 in grid other than 32 mm."
  ],
  "table": {
   "columns": [
    "quantity",
    "value",
    "source"
   ],
   "rows": [
    [
     "hole pitch in a column",
     "32 mm",
     "Wikipedia; Rockler (32 mm on centre); Kreg (1-1/4 in = 32 mm); Veritas; Shaper"
    ],
    [
     "shelf-pin hole diameter",
     "5 mm",
     "Wikipedia; Shaper; Kreg 5 mm jig"
    ],
    [
     "shelf-pin hole diameter, inch jigs",
     "1/4 in (6.35 mm)",
     "Rockler: 1/4 in and 5 mm bits and indexing pins at 32 mm spacing"
    ],
    [
     "fitting hole diameter (not for pins)",
     "8 mm",
     "Veritas: system uses 5 mm and 8 mm holes"
    ],
    [
     "first column from the front edge",
     "37 mm",
     "Wikipedia; Rockler; Veritas; Shaper"
    ],
    [
     "second column from the front edge",
     "64 mm (Rockler's 'farther row')",
     "Rockler"
    ],
    [
     "hole depth",
     "12–14 mm",
     "Wikipedia only (the other pages read give no depth)"
    ],
    [
     "shelf pin length / flange",
     "15–16 mm / about 7 mm",
     "Wikipedia (for 5 mm pins)"
    ],
    [
     "McMaster pin peg diameters",
     "1/8, 3/16, 9/32, 1/4 in",
     "McMaster-Carr shelf-pin category"
    ],
    [
     "McMaster peg depths",
     "5/16, 3/8, 7/16 in",
     "McMaster-Carr shelf-pin category"
    ]
   ]
  }
 },
 "sheet_text": "System 32 shelf-pin holes: 32 mm pitch, 37 mm setback, 5 mm and 1/4 in holes, depth + drilling templates — dimension sheet\nSource: Xem Studio, https://xemstudio.com/objects/system-32-shelf-pin-holes/  (sheet CC BY 4.0)\nBasis: Wikipedia's 32 mm system page and four tool-maker pages (Rockler, Kreg, Veritas, Shaper) for the grid; McMaster's category for inch pin sizes. Files: two drilling templates (5 mm and 1/4 in) at the published pitch and setback, plate and fence are Xem choices\nCatalog version: 2026-10-20\n\nOverall (mm): length 328.0, width 60.0, height 14.0\n- The 32 mm system puts holes on a 32 mm pitch in columns set 37 mm from the front edge of a cabinet side; shelf pins sit in the 5 mm holes (or 1/4 in holes for inch jigs) in the same grid. The 5 mm pins themselves (diameter and length variants) are on the page shelf-pins-5mm; this page adds the grid and the 1/4 in hole.\n- Agreement: 32 mm pitch (five pages), 37 mm setback (four pages), 5 mm hole (three pages). Rockler also prints a 64 mm setback for its farther row; Veritas prints 8 mm holes for fittings alongside the 5 mm. Hole depth appears only on Wikipedia (12–14 mm); Rockler, Kreg, Veritas and Shaper pages do not print it, so it is a single-source figure. Wikipedia's pin length (15–16 mm) and flange (about 7 mm) are likewise single-source.\n- Hole sizes on the template files are the published 5 mm and 1/4 in (6.35 mm). The plate is 60 mm wide and 6 mm thick with ten holes and a 14 mm fence on the front edge; 20 mm end margins. Those are Xem choices (Rockler's jig plate is 6 mm thick and 20 in long, which is not copied). Print the template and use it as a drill guide with a stop for the depth.\n- Inch shelf pins: McMaster-Carr's category lists peg diameters of 1/8, 3/16, 9/32 and 1/4 in and peg depths of 5/16, 3/8 and 7/16 in; it prints no separate hole size, so the peg diameter is treated as the hole size only for the 1/4 in pin that matches Rockler's 1/4 in bit.\n- Not here: the 5 mm pin shapes (see shelf-pins-5mm), any hole spacing for rear rows beyond 64 mm, and a pitch for a 1/4 in grid other than 32 mm.\n\nquantity  value  source\nhole pitch in a column  32 mm  Wikipedia; Rockler (32 mm on centre); Kreg (1-1/4 in = 32 mm); Veritas; Shaper\nshelf-pin hole diameter  5 mm  Wikipedia; Shaper; Kreg 5 mm jig\nshelf-pin hole diameter, inch jigs  1/4 in (6.35 mm)  Rockler: 1/4 in and 5 mm bits and indexing pins at 32 mm spacing\nfitting hole diameter (not for pins)  8 mm  Veritas: system uses 5 mm and 8 mm holes\nfirst column from the front edge  37 mm  Wikipedia; Rockler; Veritas; Shaper\nsecond column from the front edge  64 mm (Rockler's 'farther row')  Rockler\nhole depth  12–14 mm  Wikipedia only (the other pages read give no depth)\nshelf pin length / flange  15–16 mm / about 7 mm  Wikipedia (for 5 mm pins)\nMcMaster pin peg diameters  1/8, 3/16, 9/32, 1/4 in  McMaster-Carr shelf-pin category\nMcMaster peg depths  5/16, 3/8, 7/16 in  McMaster-Carr shelf-pin category\n\nFiles elsewhere (not hosted by Xem Studio; license as stated by the publisher):\n- Wikipedia: 32 mm cabinetmaking system: 32 mm centres, 5 mm holes, first row 37 mm from the front edge, hole depth 12-14 mm, shelf pin 15-16 mm long, flange about 7 mm — web — Publisher's page; dimensions are facts — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/32_mm_cabinetmaking_system\n- Rockler: Shelf Pin Drilling Jig: hole spacing 32 mm on centre, 37 mm or 64 mm row setback, 1/4 in and 5 mm bits and pins, plate 6 mm thick, 20 in long — web — Maker page; numbers only — https://www.rockler.com/rockler-shelf-pin-drilling-jig\n- Kreg (via Acme Tools): Shelf Pin Jig 5 mm (KMA3232): guides on 1-1/4 in (32 mm) spacing, six holes per setup — web — Retailer page; numbers only — https://www.acmetools.com/kreg-shelf-pin-jig-5mm-kma3232/647096811006.html\n- Veritas (via Fine Tools): Cabinetmaking System 32: 32 mm spacing, 5 mm and 8 mm holes, 37 mm to the front edge for European fittings — web — Retailer page; numbers only — https://www.fine-tools.com/Cabinetmaking-System-32-Deluxe-VERITAS/325260\n- Shaper Origin support: System 32 walkthrough: 32 mm intervals, standard 5 mm diameter, first column 37 mm from the front edge — web — Publisher's page; dimensions are facts — https://support.shapertools.com/hc/en-us/articles/8900620036379-system-32-walkthrough\n- McMaster-Carr: Shelf pins for cabinets and bookcases (free STEP/IGES per part, for your own design use; no redistribution) — STEP, IGES, PDF — McMaster-Carr site terms: personal design use, no redistribution [verify license at link] — https://www.mcmaster.com/products/shelving-pins/\n\nFree files (CC BY 4.0, Xem Studio; STEP + STL, 2 parts): https://xemstudio.com/files/hardware/system-32-shelf-pin-holes/index.json\nAPI: https://xemstudio.com/api/geometry?object=system-32-shelf-pin-holes\n",
 "sources": [
  {
   "publisher": "Wikipedia",
   "title": "32 mm cabinetmaking system: 32 mm centres, 5 mm holes, first row 37 mm from the front edge, hole depth 12-14 mm, shelf pin 15-16 mm long, flange about 7 mm",
   "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/32_mm_cabinetmaking_system",
   "formats": [
    "web"
   ],
   "license": "Publisher's page; dimensions are facts",
   "license_verified": true,
   "hosted": false
  },
  {
   "publisher": "Rockler",
   "title": "Shelf Pin Drilling Jig: hole spacing 32 mm on centre, 37 mm or 64 mm row setback, 1/4 in and 5 mm bits and pins, plate 6 mm thick, 20 in long",
   "url": "https://www.rockler.com/rockler-shelf-pin-drilling-jig",
   "formats": [
    "web"
   ],
   "license": "Maker page; numbers only",
   "license_verified": true,
   "hosted": false
  },
  {
   "publisher": "Kreg (via Acme Tools)",
   "title": "Shelf Pin Jig 5 mm (KMA3232): guides on 1-1/4 in (32 mm) spacing, six holes per setup",
   "url": "https://www.acmetools.com/kreg-shelf-pin-jig-5mm-kma3232/647096811006.html",
   "formats": [
    "web"
   ],
   "license": "Retailer page; numbers only",
   "license_verified": true,
   "hosted": false
  },
  {
   "publisher": "Veritas (via Fine Tools)",
   "title": "Cabinetmaking System 32: 32 mm spacing, 5 mm and 8 mm holes, 37 mm to the front edge for European fittings",
   "url": "https://www.fine-tools.com/Cabinetmaking-System-32-Deluxe-VERITAS/325260",
   "formats": [
    "web"
   ],
   "license": "Retailer page; numbers only",
   "license_verified": true,
   "hosted": false
  },
  {
   "publisher": "Shaper Origin support",
   "title": "System 32 walkthrough: 32 mm intervals, standard 5 mm diameter, first column 37 mm from the front edge",
   "url": "https://support.shapertools.com/hc/en-us/articles/8900620036379-system-32-walkthrough",
   "formats": [
    "web"
   ],
   "license": "Publisher's page; dimensions are facts",
   "license_verified": true,
   "hosted": false
  },
  {
   "publisher": "McMaster-Carr",
   "title": "Shelf pins for cabinets and bookcases (free STEP/IGES per part, for your own design use; no redistribution)",
   "url": "https://www.mcmaster.com/products/shelving-pins/",
   "formats": [
    "STEP",
    "IGES",
    "PDF"
   ],
   "license": "McMaster-Carr site terms: personal design use, no redistribution",
   "license_verified": false,
   "hosted": false
  }
 ],
 "xem": {
  "status": "free-files",
  "sheet_free": true,
  "mesh_price_usd": null,
  "step_price_usd": null,
  "tolerance_mm": null
 },
 "related": [
  "shelf-pins-5mm",
  "furniture-dowels",
  "ikea-billy",
  "ikea-shelf-boards",
  "pegboard-standard"
 ],
 "fits": [],
 "dimensions": "exact (nominal, no tolerance added)",
 "dimension_rule": "All geometry on Xem Studio is exact (nominal, true size) with no tolerance added. Where a part meets another part, the object lists its mating features (feature, exact size, what it mates with, fit class: press, slide, run, socket, clamp or designed). Apply your process's allowance to those features only; 'designed' gaps are part of the design and stay as drawn. Typical accuracy by process and ISO 286 fits: https://xemstudio.com/tolerances/",
 "mating": [
  {
   "feature": "hole grid",
   "exact": "32 pitch; first column 37 from the front edge (second 64, Rockler); hole depth 12–14 (single source)",
   "mates": "shelf pins in Ø5 holes (or Ø6.35 for inch jigs); Ø8 holes are for fittings, not pins",
   "fit": "designed",
   "files": "shelf-pin-template-"
  }
 ],
 "fit_classes": {
  "press": "stays put: pin, tube, bearing or magnet held by interference. ISO 286 equivalent: H7/p6 (locational interference) or tighter.",
  "slide": "assembles by hand and is held by a grub, pinch or clamp: shaft in a hub, rod in a socket, spigot in a bore. ISO 286 equivalent: H7/g6 or H7/h6.",
  "run": "turns or slides in use: pin in a link, rod through a guide. ISO 286 equivalent: H8/f7 (close running).",
  "socket": "large sliding fit: syringe barrel, sleeve, bobbin in a bore. ISO 286 equivalent: H9/d9 (free running) or looser.",
  "clamp": "split part that closes on the mating part with screws: make it at size.",
  "designed": "a gap that is part of the design (piston fit option, displacer gap, air gap): do not change."
 },
 "faq": [
  {
   "q": "What is the hole spacing for shelf pins?",
   "a": "32 mm between hole centres in a column, with the first column 37 mm from the front edge."
  },
  {
   "q": "What size hole does a shelf pin need?",
   "a": "5 mm for 5 mm pins, 1/4 in for inch pins (Rockler's 1/4 in bit)."
  },
  {
   "q": "How deep are System 32 holes?",
   "a": "Wikipedia prints 12–14 mm; the tool-maker pages read do not print a depth."
  }
 ],
 "files_license": null,
 "offers": [
  {
   "file": "shelf-pin-template-5mm-32mm-pitch",
   "formats": [
    "step",
    "stl"
   ],
   "price_usd": 0,
   "license": "CC BY 4.0 (Xem Studio)",
   "step": "https://xemstudio.com/files/hardware/system-32-shelf-pin-holes/shelf-pin-template-5mm-32mm-pitch.step",
   "stl": "https://xemstudio.com/files/hardware/system-32-shelf-pin-holes/shelf-pin-template-5mm-32mm-pitch.stl",
   "note": "drilling template, 328.0 × 60.0 mm plate, 6 mm thick, with a 14 mm tall front fence: ten Ø5 holes on a 32 mm pitch, 37 mm from the fence face; plate size, thickness and fence are Xem choices"
  },
  {
   "file": "shelf-pin-template-quarter-inch-32mm-pitch",
   "formats": [
    "step",
    "stl"
   ],
   "price_usd": 0,
   "license": "CC BY 4.0 (Xem Studio)",
   "step": "https://xemstudio.com/files/hardware/system-32-shelf-pin-holes/shelf-pin-template-quarter-inch-32mm-pitch.step",
   "stl": "https://xemstudio.com/files/hardware/system-32-shelf-pin-holes/shelf-pin-template-quarter-inch-32mm-pitch.stl",
   "note": "drilling template, 328.0 × 60.0 mm plate, 6 mm thick, with a 14 mm tall front fence: ten Ø6.35 (1/4 in) holes on a 32 mm pitch, 37 mm from the fence face; same layout as the 5 mm template"
  }
 ],
 "markdown": "https://xemstudio.com/objects/system-32-shelf-pin-holes/index.md"
}