The present invention relates to a gradient coil system for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems and to a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system comprising such a gradient coil system. Magnetic resonance imaging systems comprise at least a main magnet system, a gradient coil system, a RF system and a signal processing system. The gradient coil system according to the present invention comprises at least two X primary coil-like elements (X1.sub.pc, X2.sub.PC), at least two Y primary coil-like elements (Y1.sub.pc, Y2.sub.pc) and one Z primary coil-like element (Z.sub.PC) providing a modular gradient coil system, wherein the at least two X primary coil-like elements (X1.sub.PC, X2.sub.PC) have mutually different linearity volumes by themselves or in combination with each other, the at least two Y primary coil-like elements (Y1.sub.PC, Y2.sub.PC) have mutually different linearity volumes by themselves or in combination with each other, and the one Z primary coil-like element (Z.sub.PC) is placed between the X primary coil-like elements (X1.sub.PC, X2.sub.PC) and the Y primary coil-like elements (Y1.sub.PC, Y2.sub.PC).