Free N scale track planner
Not sure where to start? Compare a small oval, a passing station and a shelf terminal. Each has a diagram, track quantities, planning dimensions and a link that loads it into the editor. These are digital planning examples, not physically tested layouts.
This is a free, browser-based track planner for N scale model railways, with KATO UniTrack and TOMIX FineTrack part libraries. It uses nominal geometry to help you sketch a plan and count parts. The tool is in beta: a connection on screen does not guarantee physical fit, train clearance or electrical compatibility. Dry-fit the actual track before committing to a build.
There is nothing to install and no limit on how many pieces a plan can contain. That combination is the reason this exists: SCARM is free but is a Windows desktop program, and AnyRail's free tier caps how many pieces a single plan may hold. If you just want to sketch a loop on a laptop before ordering track, opening a browser tab is an easier way to get started.
Who it is for
- Anyone starting out β load a template, see the parts list it generates, and you know what to order.
- People adding to a starter set β work out where a turnout and a siding actually fit before buying the wrong pieces.
- Anyone short on space β set your table size first and design inside it, instead of discovering the problem after the track arrives.
Not sure which radius to build around? Our N scale minimum radius guide lists the full KATO and TOMIX curve range with the baseboard size each one needs, in millimeters and inches, and covers what actually fits a 4x8 sheet or a hollow-core door.
What it does
- Both brands, in one plan β KATO UniTrack and TOMIX FineTrack, with the conversion tracks counted when you mix them.
- Templates β oval, double-track oval, point-to-point with a siding, large loop and passing station.
- Automatic parts list β quantities and costs, and you can mark what you already own.
- Validation β flags unconnected ends, overlaps, S-curves and curves too tight for the train you picked.
- Export β JSON, PNG, a share link, or a 1:1 printout to use as a template.
- Running simulation β drive a train around the finished plan at 1:150 scale speed.
A note on prices
The reference prices in the parts list are Taiwan retail, in TWD β that is simply where this price data is maintained. Treat them as relative cost rather than what you will pay locally. Every price is editable: click it and type your own, and the totals follow.
Frequently asked questions
Is this N scale track planner really free?
Yes. It runs in your browser, there is nothing to install, and there is no cap on how many track pieces you can place. Desktop alternatives such as SCARM and AnyRail are more feature-complete, but SCARM requires a Windows install and AnyRail's free tier limits how many pieces a plan may contain.
Which track systems are supported?
KATO UniTrack and TOMIX FineTrack in N scale. You can switch brands in the parts panel and place straights, curves, turnouts and crossings from either. The exact pieces available are whatever the panel lists.
Can I mix KATO and TOMIX track in one plan?
Yes, and the planner counts the conversion tracks you will need. In the real world the two systems join through an adapter such as KATO 20-045; roadbed height, geometry and wiring still differ, so treat a mixed plan as something to verify rather than assume.
How much space does an N scale layout need?
There is no single answer because it depends on the tightest curve your locomotives will take. Set your table size in the planner first, then design inside it. Longer trains and larger radii both push the minimum size up.
Can I export or print the track plan?
You can save a JSON file and load it back later, export a PNG image, share a link, or print at 1:1 scale to use the printout as a template on the table.
Are the parts list prices in US dollars?
No. The reference prices are Taiwan retail in TWD, because that is where the price data is maintained. Click any price in the parts panel to replace it with your own figure, and the totals will follow.