3D Print Cost Calculator
Calculate filament, electricity, and labor costs for any 3D print job.
This tool is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional financial, medical, legal, or engineering advice. See Terms of Service.
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This calculator breaks down the full cost of a 3D print into filament, electricity, and labor. Enter your numbers and the total updates instantly. Here is how each field works:
- Filament used (grams). Check your slicer's estimated filament weight for the model. Most slicers display this before you export the G-code. A typical desktop print uses 20-200 grams.
- Filament cost per kilogram. Check the spool you're using. Budget PLA runs $15-25/kg. Engineering materials like nylon or carbon fiber can be $50-150/kg.
- Print time (hours). Your slicer estimates this. Add 10-15% for startup, cooling, and file transfer overhead on longer prints.
- Printer power draw (watts). Most FDM desktop printers draw 80-200 watts during active printing. Check your printer's spec sheet or measure with a kill-a-watt meter for accuracy.
- Electricity rate. The US average is about $0.13/kWh. Check your electricity bill for your local rate.
- Labor rate. Leave at 0 for personal projects. For client work, enter your hourly rate to include design, setup, and post-processing time in the total.
Use Share to send the full cost breakdown to a client or collaborator. Use Copy to paste the total into an invoice or spreadsheet.
About the 3D Print Cost Calculator
Filament cost is calculated as (weight in grams / 1000) * cost per kg. Electricity cost is print time in hours * rate in $/kWh * (watts / 1000). Labor cost is print time * hourly rate. All three are summed for the total. For most desktop prints, filament dominates the cost. Electricity typically adds $0.05-0.30 per hour at average US rates. For commercial print services, a markup factor (not included here) is typically applied on top of all costs.
This calculator does not account for printer depreciation, maintenance, or failed prints. For service pricing, add a 20-50% overhead factor to cover those hidden costs. All calculations run in your browser. No data is stored or transmitted.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to 3D print 100 grams of PLA?
At $20/kg for PLA, 100 grams of filament costs $2.00. Add electricity: a 4-hour print at 120 watts and $0.13/kWh adds about $0.06. Total material cost is roughly $2.06 for a basic desktop print. Labor and overhead depend on your setup and whether you're printing for a client or yourself.
How do I find out how many grams my print will use?
Your slicer software (Cura, PrusaSlicer, Bambu Studio, etc.) shows estimated filament weight and length before you export the G-code. Slice the model first, then read the filament estimate from the print summary screen. The estimate is usually accurate within 5-10%.
What is a typical 3D printer power consumption?
Most consumer FDM printers draw 80-200 watts during active printing. Bed heating is the biggest variable: a heated bed alone can draw 60-120 watts. Printers without heated beds (like some mini printers) may use as little as 40-60 watts total. High-temperature printers with enclosures can exceed 300 watts. Check your printer's spec sheet or measure with a power monitor for an accurate reading.
Should I charge customers for electricity when pricing 3D prints?
Yes, electricity is a real cost even if it's small. For a 10-hour print at 150 watts and $0.13/kWh, that's $0.195. Over many prints it adds up. More importantly, build in overhead for machine wear, failed prints, and your time. A common approach is to calculate material and electricity costs, then multiply by 2-3x for client work to cover overhead and profit margin.