3D Print Time Estimator — Layer Height & Infill
Estimate how long a 3D print will take from layer height, print speed, infill, and model volume, before you hit print.
Reviewed by Daniel Agrici, Founder & Lead Developer
Formula
Time = (Total Path Length / Print Speed) + Travel Overhead + Setup Time
Total path length is computed from the number of layers (model height / layer height), the shell area from wall perimeters, and the infill area. Travel overhead accounts for non-extrusion moves, and setup time includes heating.
Worked Examples
Example 1: Small Figurine (calculator defaults: 50 cm3, 80 mm tall)
Problem:A 50 cm3 figurine, 80 mm tall, printed at 0.2 mm layer height, 60 mm/s speed, 20% infill, 1.2 mm walls, 0.4 mm nozzle — the calculator's default inputs.
Solution:1) Layers = height / layer height = 80 / 0.2 = 400 layers\n2) Avg. cross-section = (volume x 1000) / height = (50 x 1000) / 80 = 625 mm2\n3) Effective radius = sqrt(625 / pi) = 14.1 mm\n4) Wall perimeters = ceil(1.2 / 0.4) = 3, so shell thickness = 1.2 mm -> inner radius = 14.1 - 1.2 = 12.9 mm\n5) Shell area = 625 - pi(12.9)^2 = 625 - 522.8 = 102.2 mm2 per layer\n6) Infill area = pi(12.9)^2 x 20% = 522.8 x 0.20 = 104.6 mm2 per layer\n7) Line width = nozzle x 1.1 = 0.44 mm -> path/layer = (102.2+104.6)/0.44 = 469 mm -> total path = 469 x 400 = 187.7 m\n8) Print time = 187,700 mm / (60 mm/s x 60) = 52.1 min; +15% travel (7.8 min) + layer changes (400 x 0.05 = 20 min) + 5 min heat-up\n9) Total = 52.1 + 7.8 + 20 + 5 = ~85 min = 1h 25m\n10) Filament: path length x extrusion cross-section (0.44
Result:Print time: 1h 25m (400 layers) | Filament: ~20g (~187.7m path) | Material cost: ~$0.51
Example 2: Large Functional Part (200 cm3, 150 mm tall, 40% infill)
Problem:A 200 cm3 part, 150 mm tall, 0.2 mm layers, 50 mm/s, 40% infill, 1.6 mm walls, 0.4 mm nozzle.
Solution:1) Layers = 150 / 0.2 = 750 layers\n2) Avg. cross-section = (200 x 1000) / 150 = 1,333.3 mm2 -> effective radius = sqrt(1333.3/pi) = 20.6 mm\n3) Wall perimeters = ceil(1.6/0.4) = 4 -> shell thickness 1.6 mm -> inner radius = 20.6 - 1.6 = 19.0 mm\n4) Shell area = 1,333.3 - pi(19.0)^2 = 1,333.3 - 1,134.1 = 199.1 mm2 per layer\n5) Infill area = pi(19.0)^2 x 40% = 1,134.1 x 0.40 = 453.7 mm2 per layer\n6) Path/layer = (199.1+453.7)/0.44 = 1,483.6 mm -> total path = 1,483.6 x 750 = 1,112.8 m\n7) Print time = 1,112,800 mm / (50 x 60) = 370.9 min; +15% travel (55.6 min) + layer changes (750 x 0.05 = 37.5 min) + 5 min heat-up\n8) Total = 370.9 + 55.6 + 37.5 + 5 = ~469 min = 7h 49m (~7.8 hours)\n9) Filament: ~40.7 m length -> x 1.24 g/cm3 density-adjusted volume = ~121 g -> x $0.025/g = ~$3.04
Result:Print time: 7h 49m (750 layers) | Filament: ~121g (~1,112.8m path) | Material cost: ~$3.04
Frequently Asked Questions
How much filament (and how much does it cost) does a typical 3D print use?
Filament use scales with the total extruded path length, which 3D Print Time Estimator — Layer Height & Infill derives from your model's shell and infill area per layer times the number of layers. Using PLA's accepted density of 1.24 g/cm3 and a typical spool price of about $25/kg ($0.025/g), a small 50 cm3 part at 20% infill uses roughly 20 g of filament (about $0.50 of material), while a 200 cm3 part at 40% infill uses roughly 120 g (about $3.00). These are material costs only — they exclude machine time, electricity, and failed prints, so a fair sale price is normally several times the raw filament cost.
Does higher infill percentage really add that much print time?
Yes, but less than people expect for small parts and more for large ones, because infill only fills the interior area left after the shell is subtracted. Going from 20% to 40% infill on 3D Print Time Estimator — Layer Height & Infill's default 50 cm3 example adds about 10-15% to total time, while the same change on a 200 cm3 part with a larger interior area adds closer to 20-25%. Infill pattern also matters: grid and lines are the fastest infill patterns to print, while gyroid and cubic add roughly 10-20% more time for the same percentage because the toolpath is more complex, in exchange for more uniform strength.
What layer height and print speed should I use for PLA, PETG, or ABS?
For a 0.4 mm nozzle, PLA typically prints at 0.2 mm layers, 40-60 mm/s, 200-220°C nozzle / 50-60°C bed. PETG runs a bit hotter and slightly slower: 0.2 mm layers, 40-50 mm/s, 230-250°C nozzle / 70-80°C bed, since it strings more at high speed. ABS needs an enclosure to prevent warping and typically prints at 0.2 mm layers, 40-60 mm/s, 230-250°C nozzle / 90-110°C bed. See the material reference table below for the full breakdown including ASA, TPU, and nylon.
How can I cut 3D print time without ruining quality?
In order of impact: (1) raise layer height where surface finish doesn't matter — going from 0.12 mm to 0.2 mm on a tall model can cut time nearly in half; (2) drop infill to 10-15% for anything that isn't load-bearing; (3) switch to a 0.6 mm or 0.8 mm nozzle for large, low-detail prints, which cuts wall perimeter count and widens each extrusion line; (4) reduce the number of wall perimeters from 4-5 down to 2-3 if the part doesn't need maximum strength; (5) orient the part to minimize its Z-height, since layer count (not volume) is the single biggest driver of time in 3D Print Time Estimator — Layer Height & Infill's model.
References
Reviewed by Daniel Agrici, Founder & Lead Developer · Editorial policy