3d Print Cost Calculator
Calculate 3D printing costs from filament usage, electricity, print time, and machine depreciation.
Formula
Total Cost = Material + Electricity + Depreciation
Material cost = grams used × (cost per kg / 1000). Electricity = (watts/1000) × hours × rate per kWh. Depreciation = (printer cost / lifetime hours) × print hours. Sum all three for true cost per print.
Worked Examples
Example 1: Small PLA Print
Problem: A small figurine: 30g PLA, 3 hours, $300 printer, $0.12/kWh electricity.
Solution: Material: 30g × ($20/1000g) = $0.60\nElectricity: (200W/1000) × 3hrs × $0.12 = $0.07\nDepreciation: ($300/2000hrs) × 3hrs = $0.45\nTotal: $0.60 + $0.07 + $0.45 = $1.12\nCost per gram: $0.037
Result: Total cost: $1.12 | Material: $0.60 | Electricity: $0.07
Example 2: Large PETG Functional Part
Problem: A bracket: 150g PETG, 10 hours, selling at 3x markup.
Solution: Material: 150g × ($25/1000g) = $3.75\nElectricity: 0.2kW × 10hrs × $0.12 = $0.24\nDepreciation: $0.15/hr × 10hrs = $1.50\nTotal cost: $5.49\nSelling price (3x): $16.47\nProfit per unit: $10.98
Result: Cost: $5.49 | Selling price: $16.47 | Profit: $10.98
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does 3D printing actually cost?
The cost of a 3D print depends on three main factors: material (usually 60-80% of total cost), electricity (10-20%), and machine depreciation (10-20%). A small print using 20g of PLA costs about $0.40 in material, $0.05 in electricity, and $0.10 in depreciation — roughly $0.55 total. A large print using 200g can cost $4-6. Material cost dominates, so your filament choice matters most. PLA at $20/kg is the cheapest option, while specialty filaments like carbon fiber nylon can cost $60-80/kg.
How does print resolution affect cost?
Print resolution, primarily determined by layer height, has a direct impact on cost through print time rather than material usage. A model printed at 0.1mm layer height takes roughly twice as long as the same model at 0.2mm, nearly doubling electricity and depreciation costs while using approximately the same amount of filament. The material cost stays similar because the same volume is being filled regardless of layer height. However, finer layers mean more nozzle travel and more retraction moves, which can slightly increase filament waste from stringing and oozing. For cost-conscious printing, use 0.2mm or 0.28mm layers for functional parts and reserve fine 0.08-0.12mm layers for display pieces where surface quality justifies the extra time and electricity expense.
Is it cheaper to 3D print or buy parts?
Whether 3D printing is cheaper depends on the specific part, quantity, and availability. For one-off custom parts, brackets, organizers, and replacement components, 3D printing is almost always cheaper, costing cents to a few dollars versus buying manufactured equivalents at retail markup. For commodity items widely available online, buying is usually cheaper — a basic phone stand costs $0.50 to print but can be bought for $3, making printing worthwhile only for customization. At small batch quantities of 5-50 units, 3D printing avoids tooling costs that make injection molding prohibitively expensive. Above 100-500 units, injection molding becomes cheaper per unit. The real value of 3D printing often lies in getting exactly what you need, customized to your specifications, available within hours rather than days of shipping.
Can I use 3d Print Cost Calculator on a mobile device?
Yes. All calculators on NovaCalculator are fully responsive and work on smartphones, tablets, and desktops. The layout adapts automatically to your screen size.
Is 3d Print Cost Calculator free to use?
Yes, completely free with no sign-up required. All calculators on NovaCalculator are free to use without registration, subscription, or payment.
Is my data stored or sent to a server?
No. All calculations run entirely in your browser using JavaScript. No data you enter is ever transmitted to any server or stored anywhere. Your inputs remain completely private.