Gastronorm Pan Sizing Guide: GN 1/1 to GN 1/9 Explained With Size Chart

If you’ve ever browsed Gastronorm (GN) pans and wondered what GN 1/1, GN 1/2, or GN 1/9 actually mean, you’re not alone. Whether you’re managing a restaurant, cloud kitchen, hotel, catering service, bakery, or food production unit, understanding Gastronorm pan sizes is essential for choosing the right food storage and serving solution.
A correctly sized GN pan improves kitchen organization, speeds up food preparation, minimizes food waste, and ensures compatibility with refrigerators, prep stations, buffet counters, and food warmers.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explain every standard Gastronorm pan size, depth options, ideal applications, and how to select the right GN pan for your business.

What is a Gastronorm (GN) Pan?

A Gastronorm Pan is a standardized food container used worldwide in professional kitchens. Instead of manufacturers creating random sizes, Gastronorm dimensions follow internationally accepted sizing conventions, allowing equipment from different manufacturers to work together seamlessly.
These pans are commonly used for:
• Food preparation
• Ingredient storage
• Buffet service
• Refrigeration
• Freezing
• Food transportation
• Commercial kitchen organization
Because every size follows standardized dimensions, a GN pan fits into compatible refrigerators, prep counters, food warmers, display units, and transport trolleys regardless of brand.

What Does “GN” Stand For?

GN stands for Gastronorm, an internationally recognized sizing system developed specifically for the foodservice industry.
Instead of measuring containers only in liters or inches, professional kitchens use GN sizing because equipment is designed around these dimensions.
For example:
• A GN 1/2 pan is always half the surface area of a GN 1/1 pan.
• Two GN 1/2 pans fit perfectly inside the space of one GN 1/1.
• Four GN 1/4 pans occupy the same area as one GN 1/1.
This modular design allows kitchens to customize food layouts depending on menu requirements.

Standard Gastronorm Pan Size Chart

Below is the most commonly used GN pan size chart.

GN Size	Dimensions (mm)	Common Uses
GN 1/1	530 × 325	Main dishes, bulk storage, buffet service
GN 2/3	354 × 325	Medium-volume food preparation
GN 1/2	325 × 265	Side dishes, salads, meal prep
GN 1/3	325 × 176	Sauces, toppings, vegetables
GN 1/4	265 × 162	Garnishes, ingredients
GN 1/6	176 × 162	Condiments, herbs
GN 1/9	108 × 176	Dips, sauces, spices

Pro Tip: Every smaller GN size is designed to combine perfectly inside a GN 1/1 space, making kitchen organization highly flexible.

Understanding GN Pan Depths

Besides length and width, GN pans are available in multiple depths.
Common depths include:
• 20 mm
• 40 mm
• 65 mm
• 100 mm
• 150 mm
• 200 mm
The depth you choose depends on food volume and application.

Shallow GN Pans (20–40 mm)
Best for:
• Pizza toppings
• Salad bars
• Garnishes
• Herbs
• Buffet displays
Advantages:
• Easy access
• Attractive presentation
• Faster refilling

Medium Depth GN Pans (65–100 mm)
Ideal for:
• Rice
• Pasta
• Curries
• Salads
• Desserts
These are among the most commonly used sizes in restaurants.

Deep GN Pans (150–200 mm)
Perfect for:
• Bulk ingredient storage
• Soup
• Stews
• Marination
• High-volume kitchens
These maximize storage while reducing the need for frequent refills.

Which Gastronorm Pan Size Should You Choose?

Choosing the right size depends on your operation.
For Restaurants
Recommended:
• GN 1/1
• GN 1/2
• GN 1/3
These sizes provide flexibility for food preparation and serving.

For Cloud Kitchens
Cloud kitchens typically benefit from:
• GN 1/2
• GN 1/3
• GN 1/6
These sizes simplify ingredient organization while maximizing workspace.

For Hotels
Hotels often use:
• GN 1/1
• GN 2/3
• GN 1/2
These work well for buffet counters and large-scale meal preparation.

For Bakeries
Ideal sizes include:
• GN 1/4
• GN 1/6
• GN 1/9
Perfect for toppings, creams, chocolate chips, fruits, and fillings.

For Caterers
Large catering businesses frequently rely on:
• GN 1/1
• GN 2/3
These offer excellent capacity for transporting and serving food efficiently.

Why PP Plastic Gastronorm Pans Are a Smart Choice

Modern commercial kitchens increasingly prefer food-grade PP (Polypropylene) plastic Gastronorm pans because they combine durability with practicality.
High-quality PP plastic GN pans offer:
• Food-grade material
• BPA-free construction
• Lightweight design
• Microwave-safe performance
• Freezer-safe storage
• Leak-resistant compatibility with lids
• Excellent stackability
• Easy cleaning
• Long service life
Unlike heavier alternatives, PP plastic pans are easier to handle during busy kitchen operations and reduce overall storage weight.

Common Uses for Different GN Sizes

GN 1/1
Ideal for:
• Biryani
• Rice
• Pasta
• Curry
• Buffet service
• Bulk ingredient storage

GN 1/2
Perfect for:
• Cooked vegetables
• Salad
• Chicken
• Noodles
• Meal prep

GN 1/3
Best suited for:
• Chopped vegetables
• Cheese
• Prepared ingredients
• Sauces

GN 1/6
Excellent for:
• Herbs
• Condiments
• Chutneys
• Dressings

GN 1/9
Commonly used for:
• Spice mixes
• Small garnishes
• Dips
• Sauce portions

Benefits of Standardised Gastronorm Sizing

Using standardised GN pans offers several operational advantages.

Better Kitchen Organisation
Every container fits neatly into compatible workstations and storage systems.

Faster Food Preparation
Ingredients remain organised and easily accessible, reducing prep time.

Reduced Food Waste
Proper portion management helps control inventory and minimise spoilage.

Equipment Compatibility
GN pans fit seamlessly into prep stations, refrigerators, buffet counters, and transport systems designed around standard dimensions.

Improved Storage Efficiency
Stackable designs maximize available storage space while maintaining an organized kitchen.

Choosing the Right Depth for Your Menu
Ask yourself these questions:

Will food be displayed?
Choose shallow pans.

Is food stored overnight?
Choose medium or deep pans.

Is the pan used during buffet service?
Select a depth based on expected serving volume.

Are ingredients replenished frequently?
Shallow pans provide easier access and faster refilling.

Tips Before Buying Gastronorm Pans
Before placing an order, consider the following:
• Verify equipment compatibility.
• Choose food-grade PP plastic for everyday commercial use.
• Select appropriate depths for your menu.
• Purchase matching lids for safer storage and transportation.
• Consider stackability to save storage space.
• Buy from a trusted manufacturer with consistent quality standards.

Investing in the correct GN pan size from the beginning helps reduce operational inefficiencies and replacement costs over time.

Why Businesses Choose Damati Gastronorm Pans
At Damati, we manufacture premium-quality food-grade PP Plastic Gastronorm Pans designed for demanding commercial kitchens.

Our GN pans are trusted by:
• Restaurants
• Hotels
• Cloud kitchens
• Caterers
• Food manufacturers
• QSR chains
• Institutional kitchens

Key features include:
• Food-grade PP plastic
• BPA-free material
• Microwave safe
• Freezer safe
• Durable construction
• Stackable design
• Leak-resistant lid compatibility
• Available in multiple GN sizes and depths
• Suitable for commercial foodservice applications

Whether you require bulk quantities or customised food packaging solutions, Damati offers reliable products designed to meet the needs of modern food businesses.

Frequently Asked Questions
What does GN stand for?
GN stands for Gastronorm, the internationally recognised sizing standard used for foodservice containers and equipment.

What’s the difference between GN 1/1 and GN 1/2?
GN 1/1 is the full-size standard pan. GN 1/2 occupies exactly half the surface area, meaning two GN 1/2 pans fit into one GN 1/1 space.

Are Damati Gastronorm pans stackable?
Yes. Damati Gastronorm pans are designed for efficient stacking, helping maximize storage space while protecting food.

Can Damati PP Plastic Gastronorm pans go in the freezer?
Yes. Damati food-grade PP plastic GN pans are suitable for freezer storage.

Are Damati Gastronorm pans microwave safe?
Yes. Damati PP Plastic Gastronorm pans are microwave safe, making them ideal for food preparation, reheating, and commercial kitchen operations.

Which Gastronorm size is best for restaurants?
Most restaurants use a combination of GN 1/1, GN 1/2, and GN 1/3 pans to accommodate different menu items and maximize flexibility.

Final Thoughts

Understanding Gastronorm pan sizes is one of the easiest ways to improve efficiency in a professional kitchen. From GN 1/1 to GN 1/9, each size serves a specific purpose, and choosing the right combination can streamline food preparation, storage, transportation, and service.

Whether you’re launching a new restaurant, upgrading a hotel kitchen, or managing a fast-growing cloud kitchen, selecting the correct PP Plastic Gastronorm pans ensures better organization, smoother workflows, and long-term operational efficiency.

If you’re looking for durable, food-grade, microwave-safe, and freezer-safe Gastronorm pans in India, explore Damati’s complete range of PP Plastic GN pans designed for professional foodservice environments.