Filament
Start with the price of the whole spool and its net weight. The calculator converts that into a cost per gram and applies it to the material used.
3D Printing Cost Calculator
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Representative worked example
What does this 3D printed figure really cost?
A representative pricing example using a 1 kg PLA spool, a desktop FDM printer and a detailed display figure. Follow the same inputs in the calculator above, then replace them with the values from your own print.
The product images are illustrative. The cost example uses the representative workshop values shown below rather than measurements from a specific physical print.
The numbers usedOne finished figure
- Material
- Matte PLA
- Spool price
- $24.99 / 1 kg
- Part filament
- 178 g
- Waste / supports
- 14 g
- Print time
- 9 h 25 min
- Average power
- 110 W
- Electricity
- $0.18 / kWh
- Machine allowance
- $0.75 / h
- Hands-on labor
- 20 min @ $18 / h
- Markup
- 35%
From print cost to selling priceRounded to cents
- Part filament
- $4.45
- Waste filament
- $0.35
- Electricity
- $0.19
- Machine time
- $7.06
- Labor
- $6.00
Estimated production cost$18.05
Suggested price at 35% markup$24.36
Shipping, marketplace fees, taxes and post-processing materials are not included here. Add any costs that actually apply to your job.
Use your own values in the calculator ↑Cost drivers
What affects the cost of a 3D print?
Filament is only one part of the total. A useful estimate also accounts for the printer running, human handling and the reality that production jobs can fail.
Waste
Supports, purge material, brims and other discarded plastic still came from the spool, so keeping them separate makes the material estimate more realistic.
Electricity
Power cost depends on average wattage, print duration and your local energy price. Average consumption is more useful than the printer's peak rating.
Machine time
An optional hourly allowance can represent depreciation, maintenance and the fact that a printer is occupied for the duration of the job.
Labor
Preparation, part removal, cleanup and packing take active time even when the printer itself runs unattended.
Failures & pricing
For batches, an expected failure rate increases the number of attempts needed. Markup can then be applied to production cost to create a pricing starting point.
The math
How is 3D printing cost calculated?
PrintCostHub keeps the cost model transparent so you can decide which inputs matter for your own workshop.
Material cost
(part grams + waste grams) × (spool price ÷ spool grams)Electricity cost
(average watts ÷ 1000) × print hours × price per kWhSuggested price
production cost × (1 + markup %) + pass-through shippingCommon questions
3D printing cost & pricing FAQ
How do I calculate the cost of a 3D print?
Start with filament used, then add electricity, an optional machine-time allowance and any hands-on labor. If you sell prints, include order costs such as shipping and use markup only after you understand the underlying production cost.
Is filament cost better calculated by grams or by meters?
For pricing, grams are usually practical because filament is commonly purchased by spool weight and slicers often report material mass. PrintCostHub derives a cost per gram from the spool price and net weight.
How much electricity does a 3D printer use?
There is no single value for every printer. Consumption changes with the machine, bed and nozzle temperatures, enclosure, print settings and environment. For a cost estimate, use the average wattage measured or estimated over the whole print rather than only the peak power rating.
Should failed prints be included in pricing?
For repeat production or batches, yes. A realistic expected failure rate can account for extra attempts, wasted filament, printer time and labor instead of assuming every print succeeds first time.
How much should I charge for a 3D print?
There is no universal markup. First calculate your production cost, then choose a price that also reflects your market, design value, post-processing, selling fees, taxes and desired return. The calculator's markup output is a starting point, not a required selling price.
Should I charge by filament weight or by print time?
Using only one can miss important costs. Filament weight captures material consumption, while print time can represent electricity, machine wear and lost printer capacity. A combined model is usually more informative.