Tools / Rack layout planner

Rack layout planner: plan your server rack by U

Place servers, switches and patch panels in a rack by U position, catch overlaps, see free space and total power draw, and download or print the elevation. Free, no sign-up.

Your rack

This is an example. Change anything to make it yours.

Rack height (U)

Rack name (optional)

For each device enter its name, the lowest U it occupies (1 is the bottom), its height in U, and optionally its average draw in watts.

Name (optional)
Start U
Height U
Watts
Name (optional)
Start U
Height U
Watts
Name (optional)
Start U
Height U
Watts
Name (optional)
Start U
Height U
Watts
Name (optional)
Start U
Height U
Watts
Name (optional)
Start U
Height U
Watts

Your layout

Used: 9U
Free: 3U
Largest gap: 3U
Power: 230 W

Download SVG

See what this rack costs to run

Paste the link into a forum post or an article and it turns into a card with your numbers on it. The numbers are worked out from the link, so they always match this page.

Change the example above to make a result you can share.

How to plan a rack

Enter the height of your rack in U, then add each device with the lowest U it occupies, counted from the bottom, and how many U tall it is. A 2U server at position 3 fills U3 and U4. The drawing shows the rack the way you would see it from the front.

Put the heaviest gear low, for stability, and keep switches and patch panels near the top where cables arrive. Leave a few U free for growth: the planner shows how much is free and the largest gap, so you know what still fits.

Add an average draw in watts for each device and the planner totals them. From there you can send the list to the power cost calculator, or label the patch panel with the label generator.

Questions about this tool

What is a rack unit (U)?

A U is 1.75 inches (44.45 mm) of rack height. A standard rack is described by how many U it has, such as 12U, 24U or 42U, and each device is 1U, 2U or more.

How do positions work?

U1 is the bottom of the rack. A device's position is the lowest U it occupies, so a 2U server at position 3 fills U3 and U4. The planner warns you if two devices overlap or one does not fit.

What should go at the bottom?

Heavy gear such as UPS units and large servers goes low for stability, with switches and patch panels near the top where the cabling comes in.

How is power worked out?

Enter an average draw in watts for each device and the planner adds them up. You can send the list straight to the homelab power calculator to see what the rack costs to run.

Can I print or download the layout?

Yes. Print it, or download it as SVG or PNG to paste into a forum post or your documentation.

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