3D print cost calculator
Estimate filament from your STL, add electricity, printer wear, labor and failures, and get a selling price.
1. Model
2. Costs
Suggested price
Tips
- Use the print time from your slicer for the most accurate result.
- Your settings are saved in this browser.
- Need to fix a model first? Try the STL repair tool.
How the 3D print cost is calculated
- Filament = weight (g) ÷ 1000 × price per kg, plus waste for purge lines, brims and supports.
- Weight from an STL ≈ density × (shell volume + infill % × inner volume). The shell is the outer surface area × wall thickness (walls × 0.42 mm).
- Electricity = printer power (W) ÷ 1000 × hours × price per kWh.
- Printer wear = printer price ÷ lifetime hours × print hours, plus maintenance per hour (nozzles, belts, build plates).
- Labor = your time for preparing, removing supports and packing × hourly rate.
- Failures add a percentage to cover prints that have to be redone.
- Price = total cost × (1 + markup).
FAQ
How much does it cost to 3D print something?
For FDM printing the main costs are filament, electricity, printer wear, your time and failed prints. A typical 50 g PLA part costs roughly $1–2 in material and electricity.
How do I estimate filament weight from an STL?
Drop the STL into the calculator. It uses the model's volume and surface area with your wall and infill settings. Your slicer's estimate is still the most accurate.
How much electricity does a 3D printer use?
Most desktop FDM printers average 80–150 W while printing. A 5-hour print at 120 W uses about 0.6 kWh.
How should I price 3D prints to sell?
Add up all costs including a failure allowance, then apply a markup — often 50–200% depending on design work and your market.