3D Printing Cost Calculator

Start by selecting the material you plan to print with. The calculator supports five common options: PLA, ABS, PETG, TPU, and Resin. Each material comes with a default price per spool or bottle that you can override with your actual cost.

Enter the estimated print weight in grams (for filament) or milliliters (for resin). Your slicer software will show this before you start the print. Then enter the estimated print time in hours, your electricity rate per kWh, and your printer's wattage. Common defaults are provided for both FDM and resin printers.

The results show a breakdown of material cost and electricity cost per print. If you plan to sell your prints, add a markup percentage to see the suggested retail price. Use the batch quantity field to calculate total costs for producing multiple copies.

PLA is the most popular filament for beginners and general use. It prints at lower temperatures, produces minimal warping, and comes in a huge range of colors. It is not ideal for parts that will be exposed to heat above 60°C or heavy mechanical stress.

ABS is stronger and more heat resistant than PLA, making it a good choice for functional parts, enclosures, and automotive applications. It requires a heated bed and ideally an enclosed print chamber to prevent warping and cracking.

PETG offers a middle ground between PLA and ABS. It is stronger and more flexible than PLA, resists moisture well, and does not warp as much as ABS. It is a popular choice for food safe containers and outdoor applications.

TPU is a flexible filament used for phone cases, shoe insoles, gaskets, and anything that needs to bend or absorb impact. It prints more slowly and can be tricky on Bowden tube printers, so a direct drive extruder is recommended.

Resin delivers the highest detail and smoothest surface finish, making it the top choice for miniatures, jewelry molds, and dental models. Resin printers use UV light to cure liquid resin layer by layer. Parts require washing and post curing after printing.

The biggest cost savings come from reducing failed prints. Take time to level your bed properly, calibrate your extruder steps, and dial in temperature settings for each filament brand. A reliable first layer eliminates most print failures.

Adjust your infill percentage based on the part's purpose. A decorative item only needs 10% to 15% infill, while a functional bracket might need 30% to 50%. Reducing infill from 50% to 15% can cut material usage by 25% or more without significantly affecting the look of the finished piece.

Print orientation matters. Orienting parts to minimize support material saves filament and reduces post processing time. A hollow vase printed upright needs zero supports, while the same shape printed sideways could waste material on support structures.

Buy filament during sales events and in multi pack bundles. Many brands offer 3 packs at a 15% to 25% discount compared to buying single spools. Store unused filament in airtight containers with silica gel packets to prevent moisture absorption that causes print quality issues.

When selling 3D printed items, your material and electricity cost is just the starting point. You also need to account for your time spent designing, slicing, monitoring the print, removing supports, sanding, painting, and packaging. Printer wear and eventual replacement should factor in as well.

A common pricing formula is to multiply your material cost by 3x to 4x for simple prints and 5x to 10x for detailed, post processed, or custom items. For example, if the raw cost is $2, selling at $6 to $8 covers your overhead and leaves room for profit. One of a kind custom designs or rush orders justify even higher markups.

Consider offering volume discounts for repeat customers or larger orders. Printing a batch of identical items is more efficient because you only set up the printer once and can often fit multiple copies on the same build plate. Pass some of that efficiency savings on to the customer to encourage larger orders.