Accurately calculate your 3D printing costs including filament, electricity, labor, and failure rates. Perfect for hobbyists and professionals.
The sliced model weight from your slicer software
Accounts for infill percentage and supports (70%-100%)
Average US rate: $0.15/kWh
Typical printer: 150-300W
Set to 0 if not applicable
Adds buffer for failed prints (0%-30%)
For business/selling purposes
Your 3D Printing Cost Breakdown
Material Cost
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Electricity Cost
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Labor Cost
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Total Cost (Per Unit)
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Total Cost (All 1 Units)
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Frequently Asked Quentions
1. How accurate is this 3D printing cost calculator?
Our calculator provides professional-grade accuracy when you input correct values from your slicer software. It accounts for material utilization, failure rates, and all operational costs, typically achieving 95%+ accuracy compared to real-world printing expenses.
2. What is material utilization rate in 3D printing?
Utilization rate (70%-100%) accounts for infill density and support structures. A 90% rate means you'll use approximately 10% more filament than your model's pure weight due to infill patterns and any support material required during printing.
3. How do I calculate electricity cost for 3D printing?
Electricity cost = (Printer Wattage × Print Hours ÷ 1000) × Electricity Rate per kWh. Most consumer 3D printers use 150-300 watts while heating and printing. Our calculator automates this complex calculation.
4. What's a typical failure rate for 3D printing?
Failure rates typically range from 5%-20% depending on experience and print complexity. Beginners should use 15-20%, experienced users 5-10%. This adds a buffer cost for failed prints, which is essential for accurate business pricing.
5. How much does PLA filament cost per gram?
PLA filament typically costs $0.02-$0.04 per gram. A standard 1kg spool costing $25 equals $0.025 per gram. Our calculator automatically computes this when you enter your spool price and weight.
6. Should I include labor costs in my 3D printing prices?
Yes, for business purposes. Even if you're not paying yourself, labor cost accounting ensures you understand the true cost of your time for machine monitoring, post-processing, and maintenance. Professional services typically charge $5-$20 per hour.
7. What's the most expensive filament type?
Specialty filaments like Nylon, PC (Polycarbonate), and composite materials typically cost $45-$70 per spool, while standard PLA and ABS range from $20-$30. Resin for SLA printing is generally more expensive per gram than FDM filaments.
8. How can I reduce my 3D printing costs?
Optimize infill density (15-25% for most prints), use efficient orientation to minimize supports, print multiple objects simultaneously, maintain your printer to reduce failures, and buy filament in bulk during sales.
9. Do I need to include a profit margin?
If you're selling prints commercially, include at least 20-30% profit margin. For personal use, set this to 0%. The margin applies to your total costs (materials + electricity + labor) to ensure business sustainability.
10. How does print time affect the total cost?
Longer print times significantly increase electricity and labor costs. A 24-hour print consumes 4.8 kWh (at 200W) costing $0.72 at $0.15/kWh, plus $24-48 in labor at $10-20/hour. Time optimization directly reduces expenses.
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