Crafts & Making
3D Printing Cost Calculator
Build a print cost from filament, energy, machine time, labour and fixed cost, then quote by markup or margin.
Enter your measurements
Results update as you type.
About this calculator
Enter the filament mass and price per kilogram, print hours and, optionally, average electrical power with your tariff, machine rate, labour and a fixed cost. Choose cost-only, a markup on cost or a margin on the selling price. Markup and margin are different bases and are labelled separately.
How to measure
- Use slicer filament mass and estimated print time for the job.
- Add measured average electrical power and your tariff only if electricity should be included.
- Keep machine and labour rates separate. Markup applies to cost; margin is a share of the final price.
How to use this calculator
- Enter the filament mass from the slicer and its price per kilogram.
- Add the print time and any machine or labour cost.
- Enter power and tariff together, or leave both out.
- Choose cost-only, markup or margin.
- Calculate for the breakdown and quote.
Formula
Material = grams ÷ 1000 × price per kg
Energy = power ÷ 1000 × print hours × tariff
Machine = print hours × machine rate; labour = labour hours × labour rate
Cost = material + energy + machine + labour + fixed cost
Markup quote = cost × (1 + p ÷ 100); margin quote = cost ÷ (1 − p ÷ 100)
Assumptions
- All masses, times and rates are your estimates.
- Money is rounded only at the final total.
- Markup is on cost; margin is on the selling price — they are not interchangeable.
Common mistakes
- Confusing markup with profit margin.
- Omitting support material, failures or labour from a quote.
- Using a peak power rating as measured average print power.
Worked example
Try it: press “Load example” above the form.
Material 2.00, energy 0.10, machine 10.00 and labour 10.00 give a 22.10 cost; a 25% markup quotes 27.63.
Limitations
No G-code or STL upload, slicer prediction, tax determination or market-price guarantee.
Frequently asked questions
Is markup the same as profit margin?
No. Markup divides profit by cost; margin divides profit by selling price. Choose the correct mode, especially when quoting a job.
Are failed prints included?
Only the costs and allowances you enter are modelled. Failed parts, supports, setup time, shipping, tax and overhead require explicit additional estimates.
What does the worked example show?
Material 2.00, energy 0.10, machine 10.00 and labour 10.00 give a 22.10 cost; a 25% markup quotes 27.63.
Which assumptions should I check before using the result?
No G-code or STL upload, slicer prediction, tax determination or market-price guarantee.
Sources
Sources explain the methods and any named product presets. Check your product label where coverage, yield or density differs.
- Prusa: printing cost calculation
Material, electricity, labour and machine-cost context. Filament conversion uses the stated cylinder geometry and supplied density.
- Virginia Tech: estimating energy use
Watts × hours / 1000 and the tariff supplied by the user.
Calculation documentation · Updated 2026-11-08 · Version 1.6.4. Estimates are planning aids. Confirm quantities, coverage and prices with your supplier before purchasing. Found an error? Report it.
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