diff --git a/docs/changelog.txt b/docs/changelog.txt
index af1e77905d..3f1340168f 100644
--- a/docs/changelog.txt
+++ b/docs/changelog.txt
@@ -68,12 +68,13 @@ Template for new versions:
 ## API
 
 - ``Screen``: new functions ``paintMapPortTile`` and ``readMapPortTile`` to write and read world and region map tiles.
+- ``Materials``: ``MaterialInfo`` constants ``NUM_BUILTIN``, ``GROUP_SIZE``, ``CREATURE_BASE``, ``FIGURE_BASE``, ``PLANT_BASE``, and ``END_BASE`` removed. New plugins should use appropriate members of the ``df::builtin_mats`` enum.
 
 ## Lua
 
 - Added ``Screen::paintMapPortTile`` as ``dfhack.screen.paintMapPortTile``
 - Added ``Screen::readMapPortTile`` as ``dfhack.screen.readMapPortTile``
-
+- Deprecated ``gui.materials.CREATURE_BASE`` and ``gui.materials.PLANT_BASE`` - scripts should instead use ``df.builtin_mats.CREATURE_1`` and ``df.builtin_mats.PLANT_1``, respectively.
 
 ## Removed
 
diff --git a/library/LuaApi.cpp b/library/LuaApi.cpp
index d321ca7891..6a08756156 100644
--- a/library/LuaApi.cpp
+++ b/library/LuaApi.cpp
@@ -72,6 +72,7 @@ distribution.
 #include "df/building_stockpilest.h"
 #include "df/building_tradedepotst.h"
 #include "df/building_workshopst.h"
+#include "df/builtin_mats.h"
 #include "df/burrow.h"
 #include "df/caravan_state.h"
 #include "df/construction.h"
@@ -491,7 +492,7 @@ static bool decode_matinfo(lua_State *state, MaterialInfo *info, bool numpair =
             if (auto item = Lua::GetDFObject<df::item>(state, 1))
                 return info->decode(item);
             if (auto plant = Lua::GetDFObject<df::plant>(state, 1))
-                return info->decode(MaterialInfo::PLANT_BASE, plant->material);
+                return info->decode(df::builtin_mats::PLANT_1, plant->material);
             if (auto mvec = Lua::GetDFObject<df::material_vec_ref>(state, 1))
                 return info->decode(*mvec, luaL_checkint(state, 2));
         }
diff --git a/library/RemoteTools.cpp b/library/RemoteTools.cpp
index 5dab76e8cb..30e24c51b5 100644
--- a/library/RemoteTools.cpp
+++ b/library/RemoteTools.cpp
@@ -530,7 +530,7 @@ static command_result ListMaterials(color_ostream &stream,
 
     if (in->builtin())
     {
-        for (int i = 0; i < MaterialInfo::NUM_BUILTIN; i++)
+        for (int i = 0; i < df::builtin_mats::CREATURE_1; i++)
             listMaterial(out, i, -1, mask);
     }
 
@@ -549,7 +549,7 @@ static command_result ListMaterials(color_ostream &stream,
             auto praw = vec[i];
 
             for (size_t j = 0; j < praw->material.size(); j++)
-                listMaterial(out, MaterialInfo::CREATURE_BASE+j, i, mask);
+                listMaterial(out, df::builtin_mats::CREATURE_1+j, i, mask);
         }
     }
 
@@ -561,7 +561,7 @@ static command_result ListMaterials(color_ostream &stream,
             auto praw = vec[i];
 
             for (size_t j = 0; j < praw->material.size(); j++)
-                listMaterial(out, MaterialInfo::PLANT_BASE+j, i, mask);
+                listMaterial(out, df::builtin_mats::PLANT_1+j, i, mask);
         }
     }
 
diff --git a/library/include/modules/Materials.h b/library/include/modules/Materials.h
index 1f87f548ff..61763ae295 100644
--- a/library/include/modules/Materials.h
+++ b/library/include/modules/Materials.h
@@ -66,13 +66,6 @@ namespace DFHack
 
     struct DFHACK_EXPORT MaterialInfo
     {
-        static const int NUM_BUILTIN = 19;
-        static const int GROUP_SIZE = 200;
-        static const int CREATURE_BASE = NUM_BUILTIN;
-        static const int FIGURE_BASE = NUM_BUILTIN + GROUP_SIZE;
-        static const int PLANT_BASE = NUM_BUILTIN + GROUP_SIZE * 2;
-        static const int END_BASE = NUM_BUILTIN + GROUP_SIZE * 3;
-
         int16_t type;
         int32_t index;
 
diff --git a/library/lua/gui/materials.lua b/library/lua/gui/materials.lua
index 7429a78237..99e4e6449b 100644
--- a/library/lua/gui/materials.lua
+++ b/library/lua/gui/materials.lua
@@ -8,8 +8,9 @@ local dlg = require('gui.dialogs')
 
 ARROW = string.char(26)
 
-CREATURE_BASE = 19
-PLANT_BASE = 419
+-- For backwards compatibility with older scripts
+CREATURE_BASE = df.builtin_mats.CREATURE_1
+PLANT_BASE = df.builtin_mats.PLANT_1
 
 MaterialDialog = defclass(MaterialDialog, gui.FramedScreen)
 
@@ -127,7 +128,7 @@ function MaterialDialog:initCreatureMode()
     local choices = {}
 
     for i,v in ipairs(df.global.world.raws.creatures.all) do
-        self:addObjectChoice(choices, v, v.name[0], CREATURE_BASE, i)
+        self:addObjectChoice(choices, v, v.name[0], df.builtin_mats.CREATURE_1, i)
     end
 
     self:pushContext('Creature materials', choices)
@@ -137,7 +138,7 @@ function MaterialDialog:initPlantMode()
     local choices = {}
 
     for i,v in ipairs(df.global.world.raws.plants.all) do
-        self:addObjectChoice(choices, v, v.name, PLANT_BASE, i)
+        self:addObjectChoice(choices, v, v.name, df.builtin_mats.PLANT_1, i)
     end
 
     self:pushContext('Plant materials', choices)
diff --git a/library/lua/tile-material.lua b/library/lua/tile-material.lua
index c0fe2e7cb6..5c847c463d 100644
--- a/library/lua/tile-material.lua
+++ b/library/lua/tile-material.lua
@@ -194,7 +194,7 @@ function GetTreeMat(x, y, z)
     for _, tree in ipairs(df.global.world.plants.all) do
         if tree.tree_info ~= nil then
             if coordInTree(pos, tree) then
-                return dfhack.matinfo.decode(419, tree.material)
+                return dfhack.matinfo.decode(df.builtin_mats.PLANT_1, tree.material)
             end
         end
     end
@@ -209,7 +209,7 @@ function GetShrubMat(x, y, z)
     for _, shrub in ipairs(df.global.world.plants.all) do
         if shrub.tree_info == nil then
             if shrub.pos.x == pos.x and shrub.pos.y == pos.y and shrub.pos.z == pos.z then
-                return dfhack.matinfo.decode(419, shrub.material)
+                return dfhack.matinfo.decode(df.builtin_mats.PLANT_1, shrub.material)
             end
         end
     end
diff --git a/library/modules/Items.cpp b/library/modules/Items.cpp
index 6b5b3ee1d2..0e7f1ffdf3 100644
--- a/library/modules/Items.cpp
+++ b/library/modules/Items.cpp
@@ -1756,7 +1756,7 @@ int32_t Items::pickGrowthPrint(int16_t subtype, int16_t mat, int32_t matg)
 {
     int growth_print = -1;
     // Make sure it's made of a valid plant material, then grab its definition
-    if (mat >= 419 && mat <= 618 && matg >= 0 && (unsigned)matg < world->raws.plants.all.size())
+    if (mat >= df::builtin_mats::PLANT_1 && mat <= df::builtin_mats::PLANT_200 && matg >= 0 && (unsigned)matg < world->raws.plants.all.size())
     {
         auto plant_def = world->raws.plants.all[matg];
         // Make sure it subtype is also valid
diff --git a/library/modules/Kitchen.cpp b/library/modules/Kitchen.cpp
index c9d4c7d5c6..fd1bfe002f 100644
--- a/library/modules/Kitchen.cpp
+++ b/library/modules/Kitchen.cpp
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ void Kitchen::debug_print(color_ostream &out)
                        plotinfo->kitchen.mat_types[i],
                        plotinfo->kitchen.mat_indices[i],
                        plotinfo->kitchen.exc_types[i].whole,
-                       (plotinfo->kitchen.mat_types[i] >= 419 && plotinfo->kitchen.mat_types[i] <= 618) ? world->raws.plants.all[plotinfo->kitchen.mat_indices[i]]->id : "n/a"
+                       (plotinfo->kitchen.mat_types[i] >= df::builtin_mats::PLANT_1 && plotinfo->kitchen.mat_types[i] <= df::builtin_mats::PLANT_200) ? world->raws.plants.all[plotinfo->kitchen.mat_indices[i]]->id : "n/a"
         );
     }
     out.print("\n");
diff --git a/library/modules/MapCache.cpp b/library/modules/MapCache.cpp
index 84ee4affa0..ff0bea9eb4 100644
--- a/library/modules/MapCache.cpp
+++ b/library/modules/MapCache.cpp
@@ -943,7 +943,7 @@ t_matpair MapExtras::BlockInfo::getBaseMaterial(df::tiletype tt, df::coord2d pos
     case ROOT:
     case TREE:
     case PLANT:
-        rv.mat_type = MaterialInfo::PLANT_BASE;
+        rv.mat_type = df::builtin_mats::PLANT_1;
         if (auto plant = plants[block->map_pos + df::coord(x,y,0)])
         {
             if (auto raw = df::plant_raw::find(plant->material))
@@ -958,7 +958,7 @@ t_matpair MapExtras::BlockInfo::getBaseMaterial(df::tiletype tt, df::coord2d pos
     case GRASS_DARK:
     case GRASS_DRY:
     case GRASS_DEAD:
-        rv.mat_type = MaterialInfo::PLANT_BASE;
+        rv.mat_type = df::builtin_mats::PLANT_1;
         if (auto raw = df::plant_raw::find(grass[x][y]))
         {
             rv.mat_type = raw->material_defs.type[plant_material_def::basic_mat];
diff --git a/library/modules/Materials.cpp b/library/modules/Materials.cpp
index dba8a78132..f91882337a 100644
--- a/library/modules/Materials.cpp
+++ b/library/modules/Materials.cpp
@@ -108,7 +108,7 @@ bool MaterialInfo::decode(int16_t type, int32_t index)
     {
         material = raws.mat_table.builtin[type];
     }
-    else if (type == 0)
+    else if (type == df::builtin_mats::INORGANIC)
     {
         mode = Inorganic;
         inorganic = df::inorganic_raw::find(index);
@@ -116,23 +116,23 @@ bool MaterialInfo::decode(int16_t type, int32_t index)
             return false;
         material = &inorganic->material;
     }
-    else if (type < CREATURE_BASE)
+    else if (type < df::builtin_mats::CREATURE_1)
     {
         material = raws.mat_table.builtin[type];
     }
-    else if (type < FIGURE_BASE)
+    else if (type <= df::builtin_mats::CREATURE_200)
     {
         mode = Creature;
-        subtype = type - CREATURE_BASE;
+        subtype = type - df::builtin_mats::CREATURE_1;
         creature = df::creature_raw::find(index);
         if (!creature || size_t(subtype) >= creature->material.size())
             return false;
         material = creature->material[subtype];
     }
-    else if (type < PLANT_BASE)
+    else if (type <= df::builtin_mats::HIST_FIG_200)
     {
         mode = Creature;
-        subtype = type - FIGURE_BASE;
+        subtype = type - df::builtin_mats::HIST_FIG_1;
         figure = df::historical_figure::find(index);
         if (!figure)
             return false;
@@ -141,10 +141,10 @@ bool MaterialInfo::decode(int16_t type, int32_t index)
             return false;
         material = creature->material[subtype];
     }
-    else if (type < END_BASE)
+    else if (type <= df::builtin_mats::PLANT_200)
     {
         mode = Plant;
-        subtype = type - PLANT_BASE;
+        subtype = type - df::builtin_mats::PLANT_1;
         plant = df::plant_raw::find(index);
         if (!plant || size_t(subtype) >= plant->material.size())
             return false;
@@ -219,7 +219,7 @@ bool MaterialInfo::findBuiltin(const std::string& token)
     }
 
     auto& raws = world->raws;
-    for (int i = 0; i < NUM_BUILTIN; i++)
+    for (int i = 0; i < df::builtin_mats::CREATURE_1; i++)
     {
         auto obj = raws.mat_table.builtin[i];
         if (obj && obj->id == token)
@@ -266,7 +266,7 @@ bool MaterialInfo::findPlant(const std::string& token, const std::string& subtok
 
         for (size_t j = 0; j < p->material.size(); j++)
             if (p->material[j]->id == subtoken)
-                return decode(PLANT_BASE + j, i);
+                return decode(df::builtin_mats::PLANT_1 + j, i);
 
         break;
     }
@@ -286,7 +286,7 @@ bool MaterialInfo::findCreature(const std::string& token, const std::string& sub
 
         for (size_t j = 0; j < p->material.size(); j++)
             if (p->material[j]->id == subtoken)
-                return decode(CREATURE_BASE + j, i);
+                return decode(df::builtin_mats::CREATURE_1 + j, i);
 
         break;
     }
diff --git a/plugins/autochop.cpp b/plugins/autochop.cpp
index 811a3d1cb0..f85bbdd756 100644
--- a/plugins/autochop.cpp
+++ b/plugins/autochop.cpp
@@ -301,7 +301,7 @@ static int32_t estimate_logs(const df::plant *plant) {
         return 0;
 
     MaterialInfo mi;
-    mi.decode(MaterialInfo::PLANT_BASE, plant->material);
+    mi.decode(df::builtin_mats::PLANT_1, plant->material);
     bool is_shroom = mi.plant->flags.is_set(df::plant_raw_flags::TREE_HAS_MUSHROOM_CAP);
 
     int32_t trunks = 0, parent_dir = 0;
diff --git a/plugins/buildingplan/buildingplan.cpp b/plugins/buildingplan/buildingplan.cpp
index 6f5a13a8c7..61ee882071 100644
--- a/plugins/buildingplan/buildingplan.cpp
+++ b/plugins/buildingplan/buildingplan.cpp
@@ -167,7 +167,7 @@ static void load_organic_material_cache(df::organic_mat_category cat) {
 
 static void load_material_cache() {
     auto &raws = world->raws;
-    for (int i = 1; i < DFHack::MaterialInfo::NUM_BUILTIN; ++i)
+    for (int i = 1; i < df::builtin_mats::CREATURE_1; ++i)
         if (raws.mat_table.builtin[i])
             cache_matched(i, -1);
 
diff --git a/plugins/remotefortressreader/remotefortressreader.cpp b/plugins/remotefortressreader/remotefortressreader.cpp
index f8b54f01fb..9a8f034c5b 100644
--- a/plugins/remotefortressreader/remotefortressreader.cpp
+++ b/plugins/remotefortressreader/remotefortressreader.cpp
@@ -634,12 +634,12 @@ static command_result CheckHashes(color_ostream &stream, const EmptyMessage *in)
 
 void CopyMat(RemoteFortressReader::MatPair * mat, int type, int index)
 {
-    if (type >= MaterialInfo::FIGURE_BASE && type < MaterialInfo::PLANT_BASE)
+    if (type >= df::builtin_mats::HIST_FIG_1 && type <= df::builtin_mats::HIST_FIG_200)
     {
         df::historical_figure * figure = df::historical_figure::find(index);
         if (figure)
         {
-            type -= MaterialInfo::GROUP_SIZE;
+            type = (type - df::builtin_mats::HIST_FIG_1) + df::builtin_mats::CREATURE_1;
             index = figure->race;
         }
     }
@@ -817,9 +817,9 @@ static command_result GetMaterialList(color_ostream &stream, const EmptyMessage
     MaterialInfo mat;
     for (size_t i = 0; i < raws->inorganics.all.size(); i++)
     {
-        mat.decode(0, i);
+        mat.decode(df::builtin_mats::INORGANIC, i);
         MaterialDefinition *mat_def = out->add_material_list();
-        mat_def->mutable_mat_pair()->set_mat_type(0);
+        mat_def->mutable_mat_pair()->set_mat_type(df::builtin_mats::INORGANIC);
         mat_def->mutable_mat_pair()->set_mat_index(i);
         mat_def->set_id(mat.getToken());
         mat_def->set_name(DF2UTF(mat.toString())); //find the name at cave temperature;
@@ -828,11 +828,11 @@ static command_result GetMaterialList(color_ostream &stream, const EmptyMessage
             ConvertDFColorDescriptor(raws->inorganics.all[i]->material.state_color[GetState(&raws->inorganics.all[i]->material)], mat_def->mutable_state_color());
         }
     }
-    for (int i = 0; i < 19; i++)
+    for (int i = 0; i < df::builtin_mats::CREATURE_1; i++)
     {
         int k = -1;
-        if (i == 7)
-            k = 1;// for coal.
+        if (i == df::builtin_mats::COAL)
+            k = 1;// for coke and charcoal
         for (int j = -1; j <= k; j++)
         {
             mat.decode(i, j);
@@ -852,9 +852,9 @@ static command_result GetMaterialList(color_ostream &stream, const EmptyMessage
         df::creature_raw * creature = raws->creatures.all[i];
         for (size_t j = 0; j < creature->material.size(); j++)
         {
-            mat.decode(j + MaterialInfo::CREATURE_BASE, i);
+            mat.decode(j + df::builtin_mats::CREATURE_1, i);
             MaterialDefinition *mat_def = out->add_material_list();
-            mat_def->mutable_mat_pair()->set_mat_type(j + 19);
+            mat_def->mutable_mat_pair()->set_mat_type(j + df::builtin_mats::CREATURE_1);
             mat_def->mutable_mat_pair()->set_mat_index(i);
             mat_def->set_id(mat.getToken());
             mat_def->set_name(DF2UTF(mat.toString())); //find the name at cave temperature;
@@ -869,9 +869,9 @@ static command_result GetMaterialList(color_ostream &stream, const EmptyMessage
         df::plant_raw * plant = raws->plants.all[i];
         for (size_t j = 0; j < plant->material.size(); j++)
         {
-            mat.decode(j + 419, i);
+            mat.decode(j + df::builtin_mats::PLANT_1, i);
             MaterialDefinition *mat_def = out->add_material_list();
-            mat_def->mutable_mat_pair()->set_mat_type(j + 419);
+            mat_def->mutable_mat_pair()->set_mat_type(j + df::builtin_mats::PLANT_1);
             mat_def->mutable_mat_pair()->set_mat_index(i);
             mat_def->set_id(mat.getToken());
             mat_def->set_name(DF2UTF(mat.toString())); //find the name at cave temperature;
@@ -2096,14 +2096,14 @@ static void SetRegionTile(RegionTile * out, df::region_map_entry * e1)
             auto plantMat = out->add_plant_materials();
 
             plantMat->set_mat_index(pop->plant);
-            plantMat->set_mat_type(419);
+            plantMat->set_mat_type(df::builtin_mats::PLANT_1);
         }
         else if (pop->type == world_population_type::Tree)
         {
             auto plantMat = out->add_tree_materials();
 
             plantMat->set_mat_index(pop->plant);
-            plantMat->set_mat_type(419);
+            plantMat->set_mat_type(df::builtin_mats::PLANT_1);
         }
     }
 #if DF_VERSION_INT >= 43005