3d Print Weight Calculator

3D Print Weight & Length Calculator

Enter the total volume of your 3D model (e.g., from your CAD software or slicer).

The percentage of the internal volume filled with material (0-100).

The total thickness of the outer walls (e.g., 2 perimeters * 0.4mm nozzle = 0.8mm).

PLA (1.24 g/cm³) ABS (1.04 g/cm³) PETG (1.27 g/cm³) Nylon (1.15 g/cm³) TPU (1.20 g/cm³) Custom

Common sizes are 1.75mm or 2.85mm.

Understanding Your 3D Print Weight

Calculating the weight and filament length of your 3D prints is crucial for several reasons, from managing material costs to ensuring structural integrity and planning your projects effectively. This calculator helps you estimate these values based on key parameters of your print.

Key Inputs Explained:

• Model Volume (mm³): This is the total volume your 3D model would occupy if it were completely solid. You can typically find this information in your CAD software (e.g., Fusion 360, SolidWorks) or your 3D printing slicer (e.g., Cura, PrusaSlicer) after importing your STL file. It's the foundation for all subsequent calculations.
• Infill Percentage (%): This represents how much of the *internal* space of your print is filled with material. A higher infill percentage means a denser, stronger, and heavier print. Common values range from 0% (hollow) to 100% (solid), with 10-30% being typical for most functional parts.
• Shell Thickness (mm): Also known as wall thickness or perimeter thickness, this is the combined thickness of the outer layers of your print. It's usually a multiple of your nozzle diameter (e.g., 2 perimeters with a 0.4mm nozzle equals 0.8mm shell thickness). Shells contribute significantly to a print's strength and weight, even with low infill.
• Material Type & Density (g/cm³): Different filament materials have different densities. PLA, ABS, PETG, Nylon, and TPU are common examples, each with a unique density that directly impacts the final weight. You can select a predefined material or enter a custom density.
• Filament Diameter (mm): This is the diameter of the filament spool you are using (e.g., 1.75mm or 2.85mm). It's essential for calculating the estimated length of filament required for your print.

How the Calculation Works (Simplified):

The calculator first determines the total volume of material needed for your print. It does this by estimating the volume taken up by the outer shells and then calculating the volume of the infill based on the remaining internal space. This combined material volume is then multiplied by the material's density to get the weight. Finally, the total material volume is used with the filament's cross-sectional area to estimate the required length.

Example Calculation:

Let's say you're printing a part with the following parameters:

• Model Volume: 100,000 mm³ (a 46.4mm x 46.4mm x 46.4mm cube)
• Infill Percentage: 20%
• Shell Thickness: 0.8 mm
• Material: PLA (Density: 1.24 g/cm³)
• Filament Diameter: 1.75 mm

Using the calculator:

1. The calculator first estimates the inner volume (volume inside the shells). For a 100,000 mm³ cube, the side is 46.42 mm. With 0.8mm shell thickness, the inner side would be 46.42 – (2 * 0.8) = 44.82 mm. The inner volume is then ~90,280 mm³.
2. The shell volume is `100,000 – 90,280 = 9,720 mm³`.
3. The infill volume is `90,280 mm³ * (20 / 100) = 18,056 mm³`.
4. Total material volume is `9,720 mm³ (shells) + 18,056 mm³ (infill) = 27,776 mm³`.
5. Convert material density: `1.24 g/cm³ = 0.00124 g/mm³`.
6. Estimated Weight: `27,776 mm³ * 0.00124 g/mm³ = 34.44 grams`.
7. Filament cross-sectional area: `π * (1.75/2)² = 2.405 mm²`.
8. Estimated Filament Length: `27,776 mm³ / 2.405 mm²/mm = 11,549 mm = 11.55 meters`.

These values provide a solid estimate for planning your prints.

Limitations:

This calculator provides an estimate. Actual print weight and length can vary due to:

• Complex Geometries: The shell volume estimation uses a simplified cubic approximation. Highly complex shapes with many small features or thin walls may have different actual shell volumes.
• Support Material: This calculator does not account for the weight or length of support material, which can add significantly to both.
• Slicer Settings: Specific infill patterns, top/bottom layers, and other slicer settings can slightly alter the actual material usage.
• Material Variations: Even within the same material type, densities can vary slightly between manufacturers.

Always use these calculations as a guide, and consider running a small test print or checking your slicer's material usage estimate for critical projects.