MaxRects Packer

At a glance

• Editor score
  5.4 / 10
• Pricing
  Free plan
• Best for
  Developers needing rectangle bin packing rather than exports
• Free plan
  Yes
• Paid from
  Free
• Facts checked
  14 Nov 2026

• Where it wins

  • Packs rectangles across multiple bins with configurable size limits
  • Supports rotation, tag-based grouping, spacing, and packing heuristics
  • Can incrementally pack, repack, and save or reload packing state

• Where it doesn't

  • Provides a library rather than a graphical editing interface
  • Does not establish image-file creation or transparent-margin trimming
  • Does not establish animation-frame handling or atlas-metadata export

Our verdict on MaxRects Packer

MaxRects Packer is an open-source JavaScript library for developers who need to calculate placements for glyphs or images in sprite sheets and texture atlases. You provide rectangle dimensions and packing settings; it returns bins with their dimensions and rectangle data. The published bundle works in browsers and Node.js and has no runtime dependencies. It is a packing utility, not a graphical sprite-sheet editor, so it suits workflows where a developer can handle inputs and returned placement data in code.

Its core strength is control over the packing process. You can set maximum bin width and height, spacing between rectangles, and borders from bin edges, then choose heuristics for scoring free space. Optional 90-degree rotation, tag-based grouping, and multiple bins support varied rectangle sets. Incremental packing can add rectangles to existing bins or stop that behavior, and bins can be repacked after rectangle changes. The library can also save and reload packing state, and reports rectangles that exceed bin constraints in oversized bins. These options make it more than a one-shot placement routine, while keeping its scope centered on rectangle layout.

The main trade-off is the boundary between packing and asset production. The documentation does not establish that MaxRects Packer creates image files, trims transparent margins, handles animation frames, or exports atlas metadata. Teams that need those editor or export steps should choose a tool that explicitly covers them, rather than treating placements as finished sprite assets. For developers building their own pipeline around rectangle bin packing, the open-source library offers a focused fit; for artists or teams seeking a visual editor and completed exports, its narrower role is a poor match.

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MaxRects Packer pricing

MaxRects Packer fact sheet

Alternatives to MaxRects Packer

• AAsepriteA focused desktop editor for pixel animation, tilemaps, and sprite-sheet export.9.3
• LibreSpriteA free, open-source pixel-art editor with animation and sprite-sheet export.8.4
• APAtlas PackerA free atlas packer with practical trimming, preview, and common engine exports.8.1

See all MaxRects Packer alternatives →

Featured on iTechGuides

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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Nov 2026

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Last updated 14 Nov 2026 · How we research and update