3D Printing Material Cost Calculator
Estimate 3D printing material costs from print weight, filament price, and electricity usage.
3D printing cost depends on the material used, print weight, and electricity.
Material Cost Formula:
Material Cost = (Print Weight / Spool Weight) × Spool Price
Common filament prices (per 1 kg spool):
| Material | Price Range | Density (g/cm³) |
|---|---|---|
| PLA | $15–$30 | 1.24 |
| ABS | $15–$30 | 1.04 |
| PETG | $20–$35 | 1.27 |
| TPU | $25–$45 | 1.21 |
| Nylon | $30–$60 | 1.14 |
| Resin (per liter) | $25–$60 | 1.10 |
Electricity cost is usually small — a typical FDM printer uses 50–150 watts. For a 10-hour print at $0.12/kWh, that is only $0.06–$0.18.
Tip: Most slicers show estimated print weight. Use that number for the most accurate cost estimate.