3D Printing Cost Calculator
Work out the material, electricity and failure cost of a 3D print before you start it.
Last updated · View algorithm, constants and default inputs (JSON)
Total cost of the print
About this calculator
Estimate filament and electricity cost, then add an optional percentage allowance to those two items. The allowance is not a print-failure probability. Add labor and any other costs separately; all price inputs should use the same currency.
Worked example
calculated with the default values below
Filament used 120 g · Price per spool 22 $ · Filament per spool 1,000 g · Print time 6 hours · Printer power draw 120 W · Electricity price 0.17 $/kWh · Extra material and energy allowance 10 % · Your time (optional) 0 minutes · Value of your time 0 $/hour Total cost of the print 3.04 $ · Material cost per gram 0.0220 $/g · Material 2.64 $ · Electricity 0.12 $ · Allowance for material and energy 0.28 $ · Your time 0.00 $ · Share of a spool used 12.0 %
General background references
Disclaimer
These calculators provide planning estimates only. Building codes, wiring regulations and safety requirements differ by country and change over time, and nothing here replaces a licensed professional or a permit. For structural, electrical or gas work, follow local code and have the installation inspected.
Implementation source
This record describes the implementation used by this page. It is not independent validation. External references, when available, support only the stated formula or definition; estimates and custom rules retain their own assumptions.
Formula and variables
C = material + electricity + (material + electricity) × f ÷ 100 + labor
- C
- total cost
- material
- material cost = model weight × spool price ÷ spool weight
- electricity
- electricity cost = print hours × watts ÷ 1000 × rate
- f
- Extra allowance on material and electricity (%)
- labor
- labor cost = minutes ÷ 60 × hourly rate
Frequently asked questions
Why is the failure and waste allowance added to my print cost?
The allowance is a loading on material plus electricity: waste = (material + power) × failureRate%. At 10%, it adds one tenth of those two costs; it does not predict whether a particular print will fail. Set the percentage from your own print history, and include a separate allowance for labour or replacement parts if you want to price those too.