How do I calculate filament cost per print?
Divide what you paid for the spool by the grams of filament on it to get the price per gram, then multiply by the grams your slicer reports for the print. A $20 spool with 1,000 g of filament costs 2¢ per gram, so a 45 g print uses 90¢ of filament.
Use the filament weight, not the total spool weight — most spools are sold as 1 kg of filament on a separate plastic or cardboard spool.
How many grams are in a meter of filament?
| Material | Typical density | 1.75 mm: g per m | 1.75 mm: m per kg |
|---|---|---|---|
| PLA | 1.24 g/cm³ | 2.98 g | 335 m |
| PETG | 1.27 g/cm³ | 3.05 g | 327 m |
| ABS | 1.04 g/cm³ | 2.50 g | 400 m |
| ASA | 1.07 g/cm³ | 2.57 g | 389 m |
| TPU (flexible) | 1.21 g/cm³ | 2.91 g | 344 m |
| Nylon (PA) | 1.14 g/cm³ | 2.74 g | 365 m |
| Polycarbonate (PC) | 1.2 g/cm³ | 2.89 g | 346 m |
| HIPS | 1.04 g/cm³ | 2.50 g | 400 m |
| PVA (support) | 1.23 g/cm³ | 2.96 g | 338 m |
Calculated from the filament’s cross-section (π × radius²) and typical density. Brands vary by a few percent.
Why doesn’t filament cost tell the full story?
Plastic is often the smallest part of a print’s real cost once you count electricity, printer wear, failed prints and your time. If you sell prints, use the full print cost calculator and then the Etsy profit calculator to set a price.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a 1 kg spool of PLA cost?
Standard PLA from mainstream brands usually costs roughly $15–$30 per kilogram in the US; specialty filaments such as silk, carbon-fiber or high-speed blends cost more. Enter your actual price for an exact result.
Where do I find how many grams a print uses?
After slicing, every major slicer (Bambu Studio, OrcaSlicer, PrusaSlicer, Cura) shows the filament weight in grams and length in meters in its summary panel.
Does the slicer estimate include supports and brims?
Yes. The slicer’s total includes supports, brims, skirts and prime towers. It does not include purge lines at the start of a print or failed attempts, which is what the waste allowance is for.
Estimates for planning. Results depend on the numbers you enter — use the gram, hour and ml figures from your slicer, and your real material and power prices. Material densities are typical values; check your spool or bottle datasheet for exact figures.