Filament cost per print is the number people most often guess wrong. A “cheap” large print can burn through $3–5 of filament, while a tiny trinket is fractions of a cent. This calculator turns spool price and material density into an exact per-print cost.
🧵 Calculate Yourself
Why It Matters
Filament is the recurring cost of 3D printing — unlike the printer, which is a one-time buy. Knowing your per-print cost is how you:
- Price things you sell — Etsy prints and commissions need at least 3–4× material cost to be worth your time.
- Decide on infill — dropping infill from 20% to 10% can cut filament weight by 15–20%, which is real money on big parts.
- Compare materials — a “more expensive” PETG often costs less per print than cheap PLA if the spool is bigger and the density is right.
See our filament buying guide for material recommendations and materials comparison for when to use each.
Cost Reference (per 1 kg spool)
| Material | Typical spool price | Cost per 50g print |
|---|---|---|
| PLA | $18–22 | ~$0.90–1.10 |
| PETG | $20–25 | ~$1.00–1.25 |
| ABS | $18–24 | ~$0.90–1.20 |
| TPU | $25–35 | ~$1.25–1.75 |
| Nylon | $30–45 | ~$1.50–2.25 |
| Polycarbonate | $35–55 | ~$1.75–2.75 |
Prices are approximate retail. Always verify current pricing — see our filament guide.