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.
How we build and check this calculator
This calculator runs entirely in your browser, so the numbers you enter stay on your device. The math behind it is written by hand and tested against worked examples and standard references before the page goes live.
SuperGlobalCalculator is independently built and maintained. See how we build and verify our calculators.