g
From your slicer software estimate
Enter filament weight$
hrs
Enter print timeW
Average during printing (check manual)
$/kWh
%
Total Print Cost
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How to Calculate 3D Printing Cost
The true cost of a 3D print is more than just filament. Electricity, machine wear, and failed print risk all add up — especially if you're pricing prints to sell.
3D Print Cost Formula
Total Cost = Filament + Electricity + Depreciation
Filament cost = (Grams used / Spool weight) × Spool price
Electricity cost = (Watts × Print hours / 1,000) × $/kWh
Depreciation = Printer price / Lifetime hours × Print hours
Example: 45g PLA, 4 hrs, 150W, $22 spool, $300 printer:
Filament = (45/1000) × $22 = $0.99
Electricity = (150 × 4 / 1000) × $0.15 = $0.09
Depreciation = ($300/3000) × 4 = $0.40
Total = $1.48
Electricity cost = (Watts × Print hours / 1,000) × $/kWh
Depreciation = Printer price / Lifetime hours × Print hours
Example: 45g PLA, 4 hrs, 150W, $22 spool, $300 printer:
Filament = (45/1000) × $22 = $0.99
Electricity = (150 × 4 / 1000) × $0.15 = $0.09
Depreciation = ($300/3000) × 4 = $0.40
Total = $1.48
Common Filament Costs Per Gram
- PLA: $0.02–0.03/g (most affordable, beginner-friendly)
- PETG: $0.022–0.035/g (stronger, food-safe options available)
- ABS: $0.018–0.025/g (heat resistant, requires enclosure)
- TPU: $0.04–0.08/g (flexible, durable)
- Resin: $0.06–0.12/mL (high detail, more complex post-processing)
💡 Selling tip: A common pricing formula for makers is: (Material cost × 3) + (hourly rate × print hours). This accounts for failed prints, post-processing, and profit margin. Always add shipping, packaging, and any platform fees before setting your final sale price.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Total cost = Filament cost + Electricity cost + Machine depreciation. Filament cost = (grams used / spool weight) × spool price. Electricity = (watts × hours / 1000) × $/kWh. Depreciation = printer price / lifetime hours × print hours.
Standard PLA costs about $20–30 per 1kg spool — roughly $0.02–0.03 per gram. PETG is similar at $22–35/kg. ABS runs $18–25/kg. Premium materials like flexible TPU or carbon-fiber filled filament can reach $40–80/kg. Resin costs $30–60 per 500mL bottle.
Most FDM printers use 100–300W while actively printing (heated bed uses the most power). An Ender 3 averages about 120W. A 10-hour print at 120W = 1.2 kWh. At $0.15/kWh that's just $0.18 — usually the smallest component of print cost.
A common formula: (Material cost × 3) + (hourly rate × print hours). Many makers charge $0.05–0.10 per gram minimum plus time. Always factor in failed prints (10–15% waste), post-processing, shipping, packaging, and any marketplace fees when setting your sale price.
Machine depreciation spreads the printer purchase cost across its estimated lifetime of prints. A $300 printer lasting 3,000 hours costs $0.10/hour in depreciation. Small per print, but essential for business pricing. It also accounts for eventual replacement of nozzles, belts, and other wear parts.