Print Settings
Cost Breakdown
Electricity Cost
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Filament Cost
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Other Costs
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Total Print Cost
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Electricity
Filament
Other
About the 3D Printer Electricity Cost Calculator
Whether you are a hobbyist printing PLA benchies or a business running a farm of Vorons, understanding the true cost of your 3D prints is crucial. This free tool helps you calculate the exact electricity consumption and material costs for any 3D print job.
How to Use This Tool
- Select Your Printer: Choose a preset model to auto-fill the average wattage, or enter your specific machine's power consumption manually.
- Enter Electricity Rate: Input your local electricity cost per kWh (found on your utility bill).
- Add Print Time: Enter the estimated hours and minutes from your slicer software (Cura, PrusaSlicer, Bambu Studio).
- Include Material Costs: Enter the cost of your filament spool and the weight of the model in grams.
- Calculate: Hit the button to see a detailed breakdown of your expenses.
Tips for Reducing 3D Printing Costs
- Print Faster: Tuning your speed settings reduces the total time the heater bed and nozzle are active, saving electricity.
- Insulate the Bed: Adding insulation under a heated bed helps maintain temperature with less energy.
- Batch Prints: Printing multiple parts at once reduces the relative time spent on heating up and cooling down.
- Check Energy Rates: Run long prints during off-peak hours if your utility provider offers time-of-use rates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much electricity does a 3D printer use?
Most standard FDM 3D printers (like the Ender 3) use between 100W and 150W on average. However, power consumption peaks during the initial heating phase (up to 300W+) and drops once the bed and nozzle reach target temperatures.
Is 3D printing expensive on the electric bill?
Generally, no. A 10-hour print on a standard printer might consume around 1-1.5 kWh. At an average rate of $0.15/kWh, that's only about $0.15 to $0.25. The filament cost is usually the larger expense.
Does this calculator work for Resin (SLA) printers?
Yes! Resin printers typically use less power (around 50W-80W) since they don't have a heated bed. Simply select "Custom" or the Resin preset and enter the wattage.
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