3D Print Cost Calculator
Instantly estimate the total cost of your 3D printing projects. Calculate material, electricity, machine wear, and post-processing expenses with precision.
Print Specifications
Enter your material, time, and overhead details
Optional: accounts for nozzle, bed, and part replacements.
Cost Estimation
Material, power, and overhead breakdown
Enter your print specifications above, then click Calculate Total Cost.
Common 3D Printing Filaments
Average market prices and typical use cases for the most popular FDM and resin 3D printing materials in the UK.
| Material | Avg. Cost (£/kg) | Density (g/cm³) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| PLA | £15 – £25 | 1.24 | Prototypes, decorative models |
| ABS | £20 – £30 | 1.04 | Functional parts, high temp |
| PETG | £20 – £30 | 1.27 | Flexible, durable parts |
| TPU | £25 – £40 | 1.21 | Flexible, rubber-like parts |
| Resin (Standard) | £30 – £50 / L | 1.10 | High detail, miniatures |
3D Printing Costs FAQ
Everything you need to know about accurately pricing your 3D prints and managing your printing expenses.
To calculate the cost of a 3D print, you need to sum up the material cost, electricity cost, and any overheads. Material cost is calculated by dividing the filament weight used (in grams) by 1000 and multiplying it by the price per kilogram. Electricity cost is the print time in hours multiplied by the printer’s power draw (in kW) and your electricity tariff. You can also add hourly machine wear and tear or flat-rate post-processing labor.
A standard FDM 3D printer typically consumes between 50 and 250 watts per hour, with an average of around 120-150 watts when the hotend and bed are fully heated. For a 10-hour print at 200 watts, you would use 2 kWh of electricity. At an average UK tariff of 34p per kWh, this costs roughly £0.68 per print.
Yes, if you are running a business or printing frequently, it is highly recommended to include machine wear and tear. Nozzles, build sheets, belts, and bearings all degrade over time. Adding a small hourly rate (e.g., £0.10 to £0.50 per hour) helps you save for replacement parts and covers the depreciation of the printer itself.
Failed prints waste both filament and electricity, and they tie up your machine. If you have a 10% failure rate, you should ideally add a 10% margin to your total calculated cost to ensure you are covering the expenses of the failed attempts. This is crucial for accurate business pricing.
PLA (Polylactic Acid) is generally the cheapest and most widely used filament for FDM 3D printing. It is biodegradable, easy to print with, and typically costs between £15 and £25 per kilogram. It is perfect for prototypes, decorative models, and general-purpose printing where high heat resistance is not required.