The five parts of every print’s cost
| Cost | How it is worked out | Typical share |
|---|---|---|
| Filament or resin | Grams used × price per gram | 50–80% |
| Electricity | Average watts × hours × price per kWh | 3–15% |
| Printer wear | Printer price ÷ working hours × print hours | 10–25% |
| Failed prints | Share of prints that fail × the other costs | 5–15% |
| Extras | Glue, nozzles, IPA, sanding, paint | 0–10% |
The shares change with the print. Short, heavy prints are mostly plastic. Long, light prints such as tall vases shift more cost to electricity and wear.
Three worked examples
All three use PLA at 20 per kg, electricity at 0.40 per kWh, a 300 printer expected to last 3,000 hours, and a 10% failure allowance. Results are in your own currency.
| Weight | Time | Filament | Power + wear | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small bracket | 12 g | 1 h | 0.24 | 0.15 | 0.43 |
| Phone stand | 45 g | 2 h | 0.90 | 0.30 | 1.32 |
| Large planter | 250 g | 14 h | 5.00 | 2.10 | 7.81 |
Power assumes a printer averaging 125 W. Totals include the 10% failure allowance. Try your own numbers in the print cost calculator.
Filament prices
Standard PLA and PETG are the cheapest common materials. Engineering filaments such as nylon, polycarbonate and carbon-fibre blends cost several times more per kilogram. Buying 2–3 kg spools or multi-packs lowers the price per gram if you use one material a lot. Check how far a spool goes with the filament length calculator.
Resin printing
Resin costs more per kilogram and needs isopropyl alcohol and gloves for every print, but detailed parts are small. A plate of miniatures often costs less than a single bought one. See the resin cost calculator.
How to lower the cost
- Use 10–20% infill for most parts; add walls rather than infill for strength. The infill calculator shows the saving.
- Calibrate e-steps and flow to cut failed prints.
- Print full plates instead of one part at a time.
- Use a larger nozzle for big parts to cut print time.
Frequently asked questions
Is 3D printing cheaper than buying?
For small plastic parts, replacements and custom items, almost always. For mass-produced items sold cheaply, buying can be cheaper once you count your time and failures.
How much does a 3D printer cost to run per hour?
Electricity alone is usually 0.03–0.06 per hour at typical tariffs. With printer wear included, most home printers cost about 0.10–0.20 per hour to run, before filament.
What is the cheapest filament?
Standard PLA is usually the cheapest and easiest to print. PETG is similar in price and tougher.
Last reviewed October 2026. See how we calculate.