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3D Printer Filament Usage Calculator

Easily calculate 3D printer filament usage by length or weight with our free online calculator. Supports all materials, units, and filament sizes.

Ever started a 3D print and wondered, "Do I have enough filament left?"

You're not alone. Knowing how much filament a print will use saves time, money, and frustration.

We’ve built this 3D printer filament usage calculator to make that super easy. Whether you're planning a large print or managing a tight budget, our tool tells you how much filament you'll use in grams, meters, or dollars. It's fast, free, and beginner-friendly.

What Is 3D Printer Filament Usage?

When your printer lays down plastic, it's using filament. This filament is a spool of plastic, often PLA or ABS. It comes in different sizes, weights, and materials. Every print consumes a bit of it some tiny, some a lot.

To avoid surprises (like your spool running out mid-print), it's smart to calculate filament usage before starting.

How to Calculate 3D Printer Filament Usage

We’ve done the math so you don’t have to. But here’s the simple formula used behind the scenes:

Filament Mass = Density × π × (Diameter ÷ 2)² × Length

Let’s break that down:

  • Density is how heavy the material is (e.g., PLA ≈ 1.24 g/cm³)
  • Diameter is the width of the filament (commonly 1.75 mm)
  • Length is how much filament your print will use

If you already know the weight of the filament used (say from slicer software), you can reverse the math to find the length:

Length = Mass ÷ (Density × π × (Diameter ÷ 2)²)

All this is handled instantly by our calculator. Just enter your values and boom—you get your result.

How to Use the Filament Usage Calculator

Using our tool is easy. Just follow these steps:

  1. Choose your filament type (PLA, ABS, PETG, or custom).
  2. Enter the filament diameter (like 1.75mm or 2.85mm).
  3. Pick whether you want to calculate by mass or length.
  4. Fill in the length (in meters, cm, etc.) or the mass (in grams, kg, etc.).
  5. Hit calculate.

You’ll instantly see:

  • How much filament your print will use
  • How long your spool will last
  • How much volume your print takes up

It’s fast, clear, and accurate.

Real-World Example

Say you want to print a model that uses 100 meters of PLA (1.75 mm diameter).

The calculator tells you that it’ll use around 298 grams of filament.

Have a 1kg spool? You’re good to go!

Or say you’ve only got 250g left on a spool and want to know if it's enough.

Pop in your mass, and we’ll tell you how many meters that gives you.

What Is the 5mm Rule in 3D Printing?

You might hear about the "5mm rule." It means always keeping at least 5mm of filament exposed above the extruder to avoid jams or underfeeding. It doesn’t affect filament calculation but helps avoid hardware issues.

How Long Does 1kg of Filament Last?

It depends on what you’re printing. For example:

  • Light models with 10% infill? You could get 50–80 small prints.
  • Big, solid models? That 1kg might only last 2–3 large prints.

On average, 1kg of PLA equals about 330–340 meters of 1.75mm filament.

How Long Is 100g of Filament?

Again, assuming 1.75mm PLA:

  • 100g = about 33–34 meters of filament
  • Great for smaller prints or prototypes

Final Verdict

3D printing is fun but wasted filament isn’t.

Our free 3D printer filament usage calculator helps you print smart and plan better.

It works for any filament type, diameter, or unit. Whether you’re a hobbyist or a pro, this tool helps you print confidently without waste.

FAQs

Can I use this calculator for PETG or TPU?

Yes! Just choose the right density or enter a custom one.

What units does it support?

You can use mm, cm, meters, inches, feet for length, and grams, kg, oz, lb for mass.

Is this calculator accurate?

Absolutely. It uses real physics-based formulas and supports custom inputs.

How do I know my filament density?

Most filaments list it on the spool or datasheet. PLA is usually 1.24 g/cm³.