3D Print Cost Calculator

Enter the filament your slicer says the print uses, the filament price per kilogram, the printer's average power and print time, and your electricity price. See the cost of the print with a margin for failed prints and waste.

Filament used (grams)

Your slicer shows this for the print.

Filament price per kg

Example value, not a market price. Use yours.

Printer power (watts, average)

Often 100–150 W for a bed-slinger with a heated bed.

Print time (hours)

Electricity price per kWh

Example value, not a market price. Use yours.

Failure margin (%)

Extra for failed prints and supports you throw away.

Cost of the print

3.10

In the currency of the prices you typed.

Filament: 2.64
Electricity: 0.18 (0.72 kWh)
Failure margin: 0.282

Working: (120 g × 22 ÷ 1,000 + 120 W × 6 h ÷ 1,000 × 0.25) × (1 + 10 ÷ 100) = 3.10

Material and electricity only, plus the margin for failed or reprinted parts. Printer wear, nozzles, labour and post-processing are not included. Nothing is looked up; the prices are the ones you typed.

Currency

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Frequently asked questions

How is the cost worked out?

Filament: grams ÷ 1,000 × the price per kg. Electricity: watts × hours ÷ 1,000 gives kWh, × your price per kWh. The failure margin is added on both, so 10 % on a cost of 3.00 adds 0.30.

How many watts does a 3D printer use?

Less than its power supply rating. A typical bed-slinger with a heated bed averages about 100–150 W once warm, more while heating up and with a hot bed for ABS; an enclosed printer may use more. A plug-in energy meter gives your real figure.

What failure margin should I use?

5–10 % for a tuned printer and simple parts, 15–25 % for long prints, new materials or tricky geometry. It also covers supports, brims and purge lines that are thrown away.

Are the example prices current?

No. They are example values only, not market prices. Use the price you paid for your spool and the price per kWh on your electricity bill; nothing is looked up.