How Many Meters of Filament Are in a 1 kg Spool?
Meters per kilogram for PLA, PETG, ABS, ASA, TPU and nylon at 1.75 mm and 2.85 mm, and the simple formula behind the numbers.
By CalciTools · Published · 4 min read
Every number on this page is calculated with the same formulas as our calculators. How we build and check them
A 1 kg spool of 1.75 mm PLA holds about 335 meters. Lighter materials give more: the same weight of ABS is about 400 m, roughly 19% longer. Thicker 2.85 mm filament gives about 2.65 times less length per kilogram.
Meters per kilogram by material
| Material | Typical density | 1.75 mm | 2.85 mm |
|---|---|---|---|
| PLA | 1.24 g/cm³ | 335 m | 126 m |
| PETG | 1.27 g/cm³ | 327 m | 123 m |
| ABS | 1.04 g/cm³ | 400 m | 151 m |
| ASA | 1.07 g/cm³ | 389 m | 146 m |
| TPU (flexible) | 1.21 g/cm³ | 344 m | 130 m |
| Nylon (PA) | 1.14 g/cm³ | 365 m | 138 m |
| Polycarbonate (PC) | 1.2 g/cm³ | 346 m | 131 m |
| HIPS | 1.04 g/cm³ | 400 m | 151 m |
| PVA (support) | 1.23 g/cm³ | 338 m | 127 m |
Typical densities; brands and blends vary by a few percent.
The formula
Length = weight ÷ (density × cross-section area). For 1.75 mm filament the cross-section is π × (0.0875 cm)² ≈ 0.024 cm², so one meter holds about 2.41 cm³ of plastic — 2.98 g of PLA.
Converting your own numbers
Use the filament length to weight converter for any material and diameter, or the filament remaining calculator to check whether a part-used spool will finish your next print.
Frequently asked questions
How many meters are in a 1 kg spool of PLA?
About 335 m of 1.75 mm PLA, or 126 m of 2.85 mm.
Why do different materials give different lengths?
Spools are sold by weight. Less dense plastics such as ABS take up more volume per kilogram, so the strand is longer.
How do I know how much is left on a spool?
Weigh it and subtract the empty spool’s weight. The filament remaining calculator converts the grams left into meters.
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.