Print Time Estimator
Estimate 3D print time from layer height, model height, and print speed.
Plan FDM prints on Ender, Prusa, and Bambu printers before starting a long job.
Print time estimation helps you schedule prints, quote jobs, and decide whether to optimize settings or just let it run.
Basic print time formula: Print Time ≈ Total Filament Length (mm) ÷ Average Effective Speed (mm/s)
Slicers account for acceleration, travel moves, and layer changes automatically. Manual estimation uses a simplified model:
Simplified formula: Print Time (hours) = (Part Volume in cm³ × Infill Density × 1.2) ÷ (Flow Rate in mm³/s × 3600)
The 1.2 factor accounts for shells, travel overhead, and layer change time.
Worked example: Part volume: 40 cm³ | Infill: 20% | Flow rate: 5 mm³/s Print Time = (40 × 1000 × 0.20 × 1.2) ÷ (5 × 3600) = 9,600 ÷ 18,000 = 0.53 hours ≈ 32 minutes
(Note: 1 cm³ = 1,000 mm³ for unit conversion)
Factors that extend print time significantly:
- Support material: adds 20–80% more time depending on geometry
- Brim or raft: adds 5–20 minutes for large footprints
- Many small parts at once: travel overhead accumulates
- Low layer height (e.g., 0.1 mm vs. 0.2 mm): roughly doubles time
Speed vs. quality trade-offs:
| Setting | Typical Range | Time Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Layer height | 0.1–0.3 mm | ±50% |
| Print speed | 40–150 mm/s | ±60% |
| Infill density | 10–50% | ±40% |
| Wall count | 2–5 | ±30% |
Practical tip: Trust your slicer’s estimate over manual formulas — it has the exact G-code. Manual formulas are useful for rough comparisons before slicing.