How much filament does a print use and what does it cost? Calculator
Prices in this article update automatically – last update: today 22:18.
The easiest way to check filament usage is in your slicer: after slicing a model, PrusaSlicer, Bambu Studio, OrcaSlicer and Cura show the filament weight in grams. From that it's easy to work out the length and the cost of the print. The calculator below uses the current typical price per kilogram from our comparison – you can change it to the price of your spool.
How many metres are on a 1 kg spool?
The length depends on the material's density and the strand diameter:
| Material | Density | 1 kg ≈ (1.75 mm) | 1 kg ≈ (2.85 mm) | Typical price per kg today |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PLA | 1.24 g/cm³ | 335 m | 126 m | 101.09 zł |
| PLA+ | 1.23 g/cm³ | 338 m | 127 m | 71.87 zł |
| PETG | 1.27 g/cm³ | 327 m | 123 m | 96.64 zł |
| PCTG | 1.23 g/cm³ | 338 m | 127 m | 118.92 zł |
| ABS | 1.04 g/cm³ | 400 m | 151 m | 107.16 zł |
| ASA | 1.07 g/cm³ | 389 m | 146 m | 119.98 zł |
| TPU | 1.21 g/cm³ | 344 m | 130 m | 204.55 zł |
| PA (Nylon) | 1.14 g/cm³ | 365 m | 138 m | 324.15 zł |
| PC | 1.20 g/cm³ | 346 m | 131 m | 226.74 zł |
Length = weight ÷ (density × cross-section of the strand). The densities are typical for each material – specific filaments, especially filled ones (CF, wood, glitter), can differ slightly.
What affects filament usage
- Infill – 15% instead of 40% can cut the weight of a print by tens of percent.
- Number of walls and top/bottom layers – often more important for strength than high infill.
- Supports – tree/organic supports usually use less material than classic ones.
- Multi-colour printing – with colour changes (AMS, MMU) some filament is used to purge the nozzle; with many changes the waste can be larger than the model itself.
How to cut the cost of a print
The spool price makes the biggest difference: the same material can cost tens of percent more or less in different shops. Check the rankings of the cheapest PLA and PETG, today's deals and bulk packs in the comparison.