3D Print Cost Calculator

3D printing cost depends on several factors: the volume of material used, filament type (PLA costs roughly $0.02–$0.05/g, resin $0.05–$0.15/g), print time, machine running cost, and any labor or post-processing. A small model (10–30 cm³) typically costs $2–$8 in material plus $1–$5 in machine time. Use the calculator above with your STL file for an accurate estimate.

To calculate 3D print cost from an STL file: (1) Parse the STL to extract mesh volume in cm³, (2) multiply by your infill fraction and shell factor to get material volume, (3) multiply by material density to get weight in grams, (4) multiply by filament cost per gram for material cost, (5) estimate print time using filament throughput (layer height × nozzle width × print speed), (6) multiply by machine hourly rate, (7) add setup fees and your markup. This calculator does all of that automatically when you drop your STL.

Filament usage depends on the model's volume, your infill percentage, and the number of perimeter walls. At 20% infill, roughly 45–55% of the model volume becomes printed material (shells are always solid). At 100% infill it's the full volume. Multiply material volume in cm³ by material density (PLA = 1.24 g/cm³, PETG = 1.27, ABS = 1.05, TPU = 1.20) to get grams. Drop your STL into this calculator for an instant weight estimate.

To price 3D prints for sale: start with your direct costs (filament + machine time + electricity + packaging), add a setup/finishing fee, then apply a markup of 30–60% to cover overhead and profit. For Etsy or marketplace sales, add a platform fee (typically 6–12%). A common formula: selling price = (material cost + machine cost + fees) × 1.4 to 1.6. The Pro features in this calculator handle all of this automatically, including platform fee passthrough and profit margin analysis.

FDM print time depends on material throughput: at standard settings (0.2mm layer height, 60mm/s), expect about 4.8 mm³/s of extruded material. A 50 cm³ model at 30% infill (≈25 cm³ of material = 25,000 mm³) takes roughly 25,000 ÷ 4.8 ÷ 3600 × 1.25 (travel overhead) ≈ 1.8 hours. Draft mode (0.3mm layers) is about 2× faster. Resin printers print all parts simultaneously — time depends only on Z height, not volume: a 50mm tall model at 0.05mm layers takes about 1000 layers × 9s = 2.5 hours regardless of complexity.

FDM (filament) printing costs $15–$35/kg for material and uses infill to reduce cost on solid-looking parts. Resin printing costs $40–$80/kg but produces much finer detail. Resin has no infill option — models print solid unless hollowed with drain holes. Resin printers also have lower running costs (20–80W vs 250–1000W for FDM) and print time is based on Z height rather than volume, making them efficient for tall, intricate parts. This calculator supports both FDM and resin cost estimation.

No. Your STL file is read entirely in your browser using the JavaScript FileReader API and a client-side mesh volume algorithm. It never leaves your device, is never sent to any server, and nothing is stored. You can verify this by checking your browser's network tab — no file upload request is made.

A 40–60% markup is common for 3D printing businesses. At 40% markup, if your direct cost is $10, you charge $14 (a 28.6% profit margin). At 100% markup you charge $20 (50% margin). For Etsy sellers, factor in the platform fee (around 6.5% transaction + payment processing) before setting your price. Use the price sensitivity table in Pro mode to see profit and margin at 7 different markup levels side-by-side.

This calculator estimates FDM print time using a material throughput model: layer height × nozzle diameter (0.4mm) × print speed gives mm³/s of extruded material, with 25% overhead added for travel moves. Real slicer times will vary by 10–30% depending on geometry complexity, acceleration settings, and cooling pauses. Resin time is calculated from Z height ÷ layer height × (exposure + lift time per layer). Both are reliable for cost estimation and business planning.

Yes, but margins depend heavily on your pricing. The most profitable 3D print businesses focus on: high-value niches (custom parts, replacement components, cosplay props), selling designs rather than prints, and running printers efficiently (batch printing, minimal failures). Use this calculator's Pro profit analysis to see your actual margin per print. A healthy 3D print business typically targets 40–60% gross margin after material, time, and overhead.

Infill percentage controls the internal density of an FDM print. At 15% infill, only 15% of the interior is filled — the rest is air. The outer walls (perimeters) and top/bottom layers are always solid regardless of infill. Increasing infill increases: material used, print weight, print time, material cost, and part strength. For most decorative or display items, 15–20% is sufficient. Structural or load-bearing parts need 50–80%. Solid (100%) infill is for maximum strength but significantly increases cost.

Electricity cost = (printer wattage ÷ 1000) × print time in hours × your electricity rate in $/kWh. An Ender 3 (350W) printing for 3 hours at $0.12/kWh costs $0.126 in electricity. A Bambu Lab X1 (1000W) costs $0.36 for the same job. While electricity is a small fraction of cost (usually under 10%), it matters for accurate pricing. Enable electricity cost in the Pro mode of this calculator by entering your printer wattage and local electricity rate.