3D Print Time and Filament Cost Calculator

Formula

• Filament length = part volume / filament cross-section
• Print time ≈ (length / speed) × 1.07 × (0.2 / layer height)
• Filament weight = volume × density
• Cost = weight × price per kg

About this calculator

Part of our Manufacturing Calculators collection. Welding, stamping, punch and die tooling, 3D printing, material weight, and production automation.

How it works

Filament length comes from part volume and filament cross-section. Print time divides extrusion length by print speed with a small overhead factor. Filament cost uses density, weight, and your price per kilogram. Use this for job quoting on FDM printers.

Enter your values in the inputs above and click CALCULATE. Results appear on the right without a page reload. No login and no server upload.

Worked example

50 cm³ PLA part, 1.75 mm filament, 65 mm/s, 0.2 mm layers, ₹1300/kg.

1. Filament length ≈ 20.8 m from volume and 1.75 mm dia
2. Base time ≈ 342 s; layer factor 1.0 at 0.2 mm
3. Weight = 50 × 1.24 = 62 g
4. Cost = 0.062 × 1300 = ₹80.60

Result: ~6 min print, 62 g filament, ₹80.60 material cost.

When to use

• FDM job quoting from STL volume estimate
• Comparing 1.75 vs 2.85 mm filament usage
• Rough print time before slicer

Limitations

• Volumetric model ignores travel moves, retractions, infill pattern
• Thinner layers increase time via layer height factor
• Price unit follows your entered currency per kg

FAQ

Why does layer height affect time?

Thinner layers mean more layers for the same part height and more non-print moves. Time scales with reference 0.2 mm layer height.

Where does part volume come from?

Enter solid volume from your CAD or slicer preview. This tool does not mesh STL files.

Is infill included?

Use the actual material volume from your slicer (which includes infill percentage), not the bounding box volume.