How to use it
- Enter the print weight and time from your slicer, or drop an STL for an estimate.
- Set the filament price per kg and the printer's power draw.
- Add your electricity rate, printer price and lifetime, and failure rate.
- Optionally add labor, markup, sales tax and quantity.
What goes into the cost of a 3D print
The calculator adds up five parts per piece:
- Filament: grams × price per kg.
- Electricity: average watts × hours ÷ 1,000 × your rate per kWh.
- Machine time: printer price ÷ expected lifetime in hours × print hours. This covers depreciation and wear.
- Labor (optional): minutes of prep and post-processing × your hourly rate.
- Failure allowance: a percentage added because some prints fail and have to be reprinted.
The sum is your cost per part. Add a markup and, if you collect it, sales tax to get a selling price. Enter a quantity to see totals for an order.
A worked example
A 45 g PLA bracket that prints in 3 hours 20 minutes, with filament at $20/kg, a 120 W printer, electricity at $0.17/kWh, a $400 printer expected to last 5,000 hours, and a 10% failure allowance:
| Item | Calculation | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Filament | 45 g × $20/kg | $0.90 |
| Electricity | 0.12 kW × 3.33 h × $0.17 | $0.07 |
| Machine time | $400 ÷ 5,000 h × 3.33 h | $0.27 |
| Failure allowance | 10% of the above | $0.12 |
| Cost per part | $1.36 |
Electricity is usually the smallest item; filament and machine time dominate. For a business, labor is often the biggest number of all: 15 minutes at $25/hour adds $6.25 to every part.
Estimating from an STL file
If you don't have slicer numbers yet, switch to Estimate from the model and drop an STL, 3MF or OBJ. The calculator measures the model's volume and surface area, then applies a shell-and-infill model using your wall count, line width and infill percentage. Print time is estimated from an average volumetric flow (5, 8 or 15 mm³/s).
This gets you within the right range for quoting, but slicers account for supports, travel moves and acceleration. For a final price, slice the model and enter the slicer's weight and time in the first mode.
Choosing realistic inputs
| Input | Typical values |
|---|---|
| PLA / PETG filament | about $15–$30 per kg |
| Printer power (PLA, heated bed) | 80–150 W average |
| Electricity | look at your utility bill; many US households pay roughly $0.12–$0.30/kWh |
| Printer lifetime | 3,000–10,000 hours depending on the machine |
| Failure allowance | 5–15% |
The filament density is filled in from the material list (PLA 1.24 g/cm³, PETG 1.27, ABS 1.04 and so on) and you can override it with the value from the spool's datasheet.
Pricing tips for selling prints
- Charge for your time, not just plastic. Design, file prep, support removal and sanding add up.
- Set a minimum order that covers setup, even for tiny parts.
- Keep the failure allowance honest; tall or overhanging parts fail more often.
- If your state requires it, collect sales tax on the selling price; rates vary by state and city, so enter your own.
This calculator is informational and not financial or tax advice. To find out how much filament a print uses, the filament calculator converts between grams and meters.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to 3D print something?
For small PLA parts, often less than a few dollars in material, electricity and machine time. Labor and design usually cost more than the print itself.
How much electricity does a 3D printer use?
A typical desktop printer averages about 80–150 W while printing PLA with a heated bed, so a 5-hour print uses roughly 0.4–0.75 kWh.
How do I calculate filament cost?
Multiply the print weight in grams by the price per kilogram and divide by 1,000. 45 g at $20/kg is $0.90.
What markup should I use for 3D printing?
It depends on your market and time. Many sellers price well above material cost to cover labor, design and overhead; enter your own markup to see the result.
Can I estimate the cost from an STL?
Yes. Use Estimate from the model and drop the file. For exact numbers, use the weight and time from your slicer.
Last updated: November 12, 2026