---
id: griddataformats
version: "1.2.0"
license: LGPL-3.0-or-later
license_treatment: copyleft
maintenance: active
---

# GridDataFormats — Reading and writing of data on regular grids in Python

License: copyleft · Maintenance: active · Downloads: 256.9K/mo

## What it is and what it does

GridDataFormats is a Python library for reading and writing n-dimensional datasets stored on regular grids. It abstracts away format-specific details by providing a unified Grid object that can load grid data from files, hold it in memory, and write it back out. The package is designed for scientific computing workflows where you need to work with gridded data—such as density maps, volumetric fields, or other regularly-sampled multidimensional arrays—without worrying about the underlying file format.

The package depends on numpy for array operations, scipy for numerical algorithms, and mrcfile for handling MRC-format files. It supports current Python versions and runs on macOS, Windows, and POSIX systems. With active maintenance since its first release in 2011 and a recent release on 2026-05-23, it is a mature, stable library used in scientific and research contexts.

Use it for:

- Load volumetric density maps from molecular dynamics simulations and manipulate them as Grid objects.
- Convert between different grid data file formats while preserving the underlying n-dimensional array.
- Store computed scalar or vector fields on regular grids for later analysis or visualization.
- Integrate grid data I/O into scientific data pipelines that work with multidimensional arrays.

## Worth the install?

AI-flagged interpretation of the facts above — verify before relying.

GridDataFormats reads and writes n-dimensional grid data from files, providing a unified Grid object interface for working with regular gridded datasets.

Yes. GridDataFormats is a mature, actively maintained library with low install friction and no known vulnerabilities. It fills a clear niche in scientific Python for unified grid data I/O. The LGPL-3.0-or-later license is permissive for most use cases but requires derivative works to remain open-source. Install it if you work with gridded scientific data.

## Install

pip install griddataformats
uv add griddataformats
poetry add griddataformats

## Installing GridDataFormats

Before you install: Low friction: pure Python wheel with three well-established scientific dependencies. Active maintenance with a release 83 days ago and ongoing repository activity.

License in practice: Licensed under LGPL-3.0-or-later (copyleft). You may use and modify the package freely, but any derivative work must also be distributed under LGPL or a compatible license.

Quickstart:

pip install GridDataFormats

import gridDataFormats.core as gdf
grid = gdf.Grid(array=data, origin=origin, delta=delta)

Requires Python 3.11 or later; numpy, scipy, and mrcfile must be installed.

Verify before relying:

- Specific file formats supported beyond what the description excerpt mentions.
- Performance characteristics for large datasets or typical use case sizes.
- Whether the Grid object API is stable or subject to breaking changes.
- Actual monthly download volume and user base size.

## Package facts

- License: LGPL-3.0-or-later (copyleft)
- Python support: supports_current
- Install friction: low
- Maintenance: active
- Downloads: 256.9K/month (top 15,000 on PyPI)
- Known vulnerabilities: none known

## Tags

read write grid data files, n-dimensional array storage, regular grid datasets, density map formats, scientific data grids, scientific-computing, data-io, grid-data

[View on SkillFed](https://skillfed.io/packages/griddataformats) · [View on PyPI](https://pypi.org/project/griddataformats/)