3D-printed Raspberry Pi 5 cases: airflow and port access
A Raspberry Pi 5 case has to account for board placement, plug access and the clearance needed by the chosen cooling hardware. Raspberry Pi Ltd’s mechanical drawing and hardware documentation offer useful reference points with explicit limitations. This guide explains how to read those documents and what to check on the physical board before sharing a case file.
Find My 3D Printer editorial team·Published October 20, 2026·Manufacturer documentation, no hands-on tests claimed
The short answer
The official Raspberry Pi 5 mechanical drawing labels the board outline 85 × 56 mm and includes mounting references, but says dimensions are approximate, subject to tolerances, and that some components are not shown. Use it as an initial reference, then check the exact board revision and connectors on the physical board. Raspberry Pi locates the official four-pin JST-SH fan connector between the 40-pin GPIO header and USB 2, and publishes control thresholds for official fans. These sources do not measure the thermal performance of a 3D-printed case.
Start with the official mechanical drawing, then your actual board
Raspberry Pi Ltd publishes a 1:1 mechanical drawing of the Raspberry Pi 5 on an A4 sheet. It labels the general board outline 85 mm by 56 mm and shows four mounting holes labeled Ø2.7, as well as other holes labeled Ø3. The drawing note says all dimensions are in millimeters, approximate and for reference only, subject to tolerances, and not for production; it also says some components are omitted and dimensions may change. Treat it as a starting reference, not a complete case drawing or a guaranteed size for port openings.
You can use the PDF references to lay out a model, then check mounting alignment and openings against the physical board revision you intend to fit. The drawing itself refers readers to a physical board for component representation. Record the silkscreened revision, the date of your check and any differences you observe; include those details with the file so readers know which board your measurements describe.
Where the fan plugs in and how the firmware drives it
The Raspberry Pi hardware documentation recommends active cooling for the best Raspberry Pi 5 performance and names two official options: the Active Cooler and the official case. Both plug into a four-pin JST-SH PWM fan connector that the documentation places in the upper right of the board, between the 40-pin GPIO header and the USB 2 ports. The connector draws from the same current limit as USB peripherals. For your case, that pins down one hard requirement: the fan lead must reach that spot without the cable getting pinched by the lid.
Raspberry Pi documents these fan-control steps for official Raspberry Pi 5 fans: as temperature rises, off before 50°C then 30% at 50°C, 50% at 60°C, 70% at 67.5°C and 100% at 75°C, with 5°C hysteresis as temperature falls. These values describe the documented control of official fans; they do not predict a board temperature inside a third-party case. For your design, check that the selected fan has an unobstructed intake and outlet, then measure your own configuration if you want to publish a thermal result.
What the official case listing teaches a printable design
The product page for the official Raspberry Pi 5 case describes a clip-together four-part enclosure with an integrated, temperature-controlled fan and a 12 mm by 17 mm by 4 mm heatsink attached to the processor with a self-adhesive pad. The lid is easily removable and exposes the fan plus a breakout slot for cables and GPIO. The page also lists integrated stacking features, HAT mounting using standoffs and GPIO header extenders that are not included, and four silicone feet.
These are properties of Raspberry Pi’s case, not a printed design. They can serve as a checklist of functions to consider—removable lid, cable or GPIO access, stacking, feet—without assuming a print reproduces the same fit. For this product the page lists 5 V fan power through the four-pin connector, a stated maximum airflow of 2.79 CFM and maximum fan speed of 8,000 RPM ±15%. If you evaluate a different fan, record only the specifications its own datasheet provides; do not assume matching test fields or identical firmware control.
Port access: measure the board, not the PDF
The mechanical drawing shows part of the connector profile and some alignment dimensions, while warning that components are omitted. It is not a complete opening template for every port. For the board revision you intend to fit, list the accessible connectors, check their positions on the physical board, and try the plugs or adapters the case must accommodate. The external plug shape can affect the required clearance; note which cable you checked rather than assuming every plug needs the same margin.
If an opening looks tight in the model, compare the intended dimension, the printed part and the actual connector; a small clearance coupon can help check access before changing the full case. A measurement or adjustment on one print does not establish a general cause or identical accuracy across machines. Record the chosen clearance and connectors checked so others can repeat the check with their own board and cables.
Material, mounting, and print clearances
The official case listing names ABS for the base, frame, and lid, and PC for the fan assembly. That is a manufacturer's choice for an injection-molded part, not an instruction for your print. If you print in ABS or ASA, read the material page for its printing requirements. If you pick something else, check the filament maker's datasheet for how it behaves near a heat source before you place a heatsink or fan against a wall.
For mounting layout, the drawing dimensions some holes at Ø2.7 mm, but marks all dimensions approximate and for reference. Check alignment and underside clearance on the physical board before choosing screws, standoffs or inserts appropriate to your design. The drawing warns that not all components are shown; account for the parts on the underside and do not infer a screw type or mechanical strength from the hole diameter alone. Describe the file as a desk enclosure if that is its intended use, without claiming a rated load.
Check the case before you publish it: a procedure, not a result
The cited official sources contain no thermal measurement of a 3D-printed case. If you publish a reading for your own design, identify it as your measurement and describe the configuration: board revision, fan, settings, software load, duration, ambient temperature and mounting conditions. Comparing the board in open air and in the case can guide further checks, but a fan-step change alone does not identify the airflow path as the sole cause. The published steps concern official fans and do not substitute for measuring your own setup.
Then check access to the ports with the cables you selected, microSD insertion and removal, and HAT fit if your design includes one. When sharing a file, state the board revision examined, material and intended clearances, and distinguish checks you actually performed from items readers should verify. An editable format can help others adapt dimensions; the page on customizable parametric models explains that approach.
Sources and limits
- Raspberry Pi 5 — Mechanical drawing
- Raspberry Pi computer hardware - Raspberry Pi Documentation
- Raspberry Pi — Official case for Raspberry Pi 5
We organize manufacturer and community documentation; we have not measured these products ourselves. The manual for your exact model takes precedence over general guidance.
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