liminfo3D Print Cost Calculator
Free web tool: 3D Print Cost Calculator
About 3D Print Cost Calculator
The 3D Print Cost Calculator breaks down the true cost of a single print job into four components: filament material cost, electricity cost, optional labor cost, and a failure-rate markup. Filament cost is calculated as grams used multiplied by the price per kilogram. Electricity cost uses the formula: print time (hours) × printer wattage (kW) × electricity rate (per kWh). Labor is charged at an hourly rate over the print duration. Finally, a failure-rate percentage is applied to the subtotal to account for failed prints that waste material and machine time.
This tool is aimed at FDM/FFF 3D printing hobbyists, small-batch product makers, and print farm operators who need to price their services or understand their per-part overhead. Professional bureaus often charge 3–5× material cost to cover overhead and profit; this calculator helps you understand what your actual costs are before setting a price. Typical filament consumptions range from 5 g for small parts to 500+ g for large structural prints.
All calculations run entirely in your browser using React state and JavaScript. No data is sent to a server. Enter your filament usage, price per kg, print time, printer wattage, electricity rate, failure rate, and optional labor rate. The results update in real time as you adjust any value. The output is broken into individual line items — filament, electricity, labor, failure markup, and total — making it easy to understand which cost component dominates your print budget.
Key Features
- Filament cost calculation: grams used × (price per kg ÷ 1000)
- Electricity cost calculation: print hours × (wattage ÷ 1000) × rate per kWh
- Optional labor cost: hourly labor rate × print time in hours
- Failure-rate markup: percentage applied to subtotal to cover wasted prints
- Itemized breakdown showing each cost component separately for transparency
- Bolded total cost stands out visually at the bottom of the cost breakdown
- Pre-filled defaults (50 g filament, 200 W printer, 4 h print, 10% fail rate) for quick estimates
- 100% client-side — instant results, no data sent to any server, fully private
Frequently Asked Questions
What costs does this calculator include?
The calculator covers four cost components: (1) filament material cost based on grams used and price per kg, (2) electricity cost based on printer wattage, print time, and your electricity rate, (3) optional labor cost at an hourly rate, and (4) a failure-rate markup percentage applied to the subtotal of the first three components.
How is the failure rate markup calculated?
The failure rate is a percentage you specify (e.g., 10%) that represents how often your prints fail. The calculator applies this percentage as an additional markup on the subtotal (filament + electricity + labor). For example, if the subtotal is ₩1,000 and the failure rate is 10%, the markup is ₩100, making the total ₩1,100. This helps you recover the cost of failed prints when pricing your service.
How do I find the filament price per kg?
PLA filament typically costs ₩20,000–₩35,000/kg in Korea and $15–$30/kg internationally. PETG and ABS are slightly more expensive. Check your spool label or receipt for the exact price. If you bought a 500 g spool, double the price paid per spool to get the per-kg price.
What wattage should I enter for my printer?
Typical FDM printers consume 150–300 W during active printing. Budget printers like the Ender 3 use about 150–180 W; mid-range printers like the Prusa i3 MK3S use about 200 W; larger format or enclosed printers can reach 250–400 W. Check your printer's spec sheet or use a power meter for an accurate reading.
Should I include machine depreciation in the cost?
This calculator does not include machine depreciation, maintenance, or fixed overhead costs. If you are running a print service, consider adding a machine cost per hour (e.g., printer purchase price divided by expected print hours over its lifetime) to the labor rate field as a proxy.
What is a realistic failure rate for FDM printing?
For well-calibrated printers with suitable materials, failure rates of 5–15% are common for complex or long prints. Bed adhesion failures, layer delamination, and filament tangles are the most frequent causes. Beginners or those printing exotic materials may see higher failure rates of 20–30% until their process is optimized.
How do I calculate cost for resin (SLA/MSLA) printing?
Resin printers use a volume-based material cost rather than weight. To adapt this calculator: weigh the finished part in grams, convert to volume using resin density (typically 1.1–1.2 g/mL), and calculate cost from the resin price per litre. The electricity cost formula works the same way; most MSLA printers consume 50–100 W.
Can I use this for pricing 3D print orders?
Yes. Enter your actual material, electricity, and labor costs and set a failure rate appropriate for your process. The total gives you the break-even cost per part. To price for profit, multiply the total by your desired markup multiplier (e.g., ×2 for 100% margin). The itemized breakdown helps you justify your pricing to customers.