The Ultimate 3D Print Cost & Profit Calculator

A professional tool for hobbyists and businesses to accurately price their 3D prints. New to 3D printing? Visit our comprehensive Learning Center to get started.

1. Slicer & Print Details
Get this value from your slicer software (e.g., Cura, Bambu Studio).

2. Filament & Material
Standard spools are 1000g (1kg). Sample spools are often 250g.
Shopping for filament? Compare prices.

3. Printer & Energy
Estimates average power consumption (Watts) for these models.
Suggested Rate Based on Geographical Location
Used for depreciation. Entry: 200-400, Pro: 1000+.
Budget printers: ~2,000 hrs. High-end/Pro: ~5,000+ hrs.
Cost of nozzles, belts, lube. Standard estimate: 0.10/hr.

4. Business & Labor
Suggested Rate Based on Minimum Living Wage
Slicing, cleaning bed, loading filament. Avg: 5-15 mins.
Removing supports, sanding, packing. Avg: 10-30 mins.
Reliable printer: 5%. Difficult prints/ABS: 10-20%.
Guideline: 100-300% for generic items, 400%+ for custom parts.

Recommended Sale Price

$0.00

This is the price you should charge to meet your profit goals.

Profit Analysis

Total Cost
$0.00
Net Profit
$0.00
Margin
0%

Cost Breakdown

How to Use the Calculator

This calculator breaks down every hidden cost in 3D printing. Here is a detailed explanation of every input field:

1. Slicer & Print Details

  • Print Time (Hours/Minutes): The total time the printer is running. You can find this estimate in your slicer software (Cura, PrusaSlicer, Bambu Studio) after you slice the model.
  • Filament Used (grams): The weight of the plastic used for the model, including supports, rafts, and brims. This is also found in your slicer preview.

2. Filament & Material

  • Filament Spool Weight: The net weight of the plastic on a full spool. Standard spools are usually 1000g (1kg).
  • Filament Spool Cost: The price you paid for that spool of filament. This calculates exactly how much each gram of plastic costs you.

3. Printer & Energy

  • Printer Model: Select your printer to automatically estimate its power consumption (Watts). We have updated the list to include the latest models from Bambu Lab, Creality, Elegoo, and more.
  • Electricity Cost: The price you pay for electricity per kilowatt-hour. You can find this on your monthly utility bill.
  • Printer Purchase Price: The total cost of your machine. This is used to calculate depreciation (how much value the machine loses per hour of use).
  • Expected Lifespan: How many hours the printer will last before it dies or needs major replacement. Hobbyist printers usually last 2,000 to 5,000 hours.
  • Maintenance Buffer: An estimated hourly cost for consumables like nozzles, belts, PTFE tubes, and lubricants. A safe bet is 0.10/hr.

4. Business & Labor

  • Labor Rate: How much you want to pay yourself per hour. Don't work for free!
  • Setup Time: The time spent slicing the file, cleaning the print bed, loading filament, and starting the print. This is often overlooked but is a real cost.
  • Post-Processing Time: The time spent removing supports, sanding, painting, or packing the item for shipping.
  • Print Failure Rate: The percentage of prints that fail. If you enter 10%, the calculator adds a markup to successful prints to pay for the plastic and time lost on the failed ones.
  • Desired Profit Margin: The percentage of profit you want on top of your costs. 50% means you sell it for 1.5x the cost.