Filament Cost Comparison Calculator
Created by: Daniel Hayes
Last updated:
Compare the true cost of printing the same part in PLA, PETG, ABS, and Nylon with side-by-side material and electricity breakdowns.
Filament Cost Comparison Calculator
3D PrintingCompare the cost of printing the same part in PLA, PETG, ABS, and Nylon with side-by-side material and electricity breakdowns.
What is a Filament Cost Comparison Calculator?
A filament cost comparison calculator shows you the cost of printing the same part in different FDM materials side by side. The most common question for 3D printer users choosing between PLA, PETG, ABS, and Nylon is not just which material has the right properties, but how much more each option costs per part.
The cost difference between materials comes from two factors: the price per kilogram of the filament and the density of the material. A material with lower density produces lighter parts from the same volume, which partially offsets a higher price per kilogram. ABS, for example, has the lowest density of the four common filaments, which makes its per-part cost closer to PLA than the spool price alone would suggest.
Electricity cost also varies between materials because print times differ. PLA can typically be printed faster than PETG or Nylon, and ABS often requires slower speeds to manage warping. While electricity is usually a small fraction of total cost, the time difference also affects labor and machine availability, which matter for production environments.
This calculator provides a complete comparison table with density, weight, material cost, electricity cost, and total cost for each material. The grouped bar chart makes it easy to visualize where each material stands, and the recommendation identifies the cheapest and most expensive options for your specific part.
How the Filament Cost Comparison Calculator Works
The calculator applies a simplified infill model to estimate effective print volume: 30% of the volume is assumed to be solid perimeter walls, and the remaining 70% is filled at the specified infill percentage. This effective volume is multiplied by each material density to get the part weight in grams.
Material cost is calculated from the weight and each material standard price per kilogram. Electricity cost multiplies the material-specific print time by the printer wattage and electricity rate. The total per-material cost is the sum of material and electricity, displayed in a comparison table with material properties notes.
Cost comparison formulas
Effective volume = volume × 0.3 + volume × 0.7 × (infill% / 100)
Part weight (g) = effective volume × material density
Material cost ($) = weight / 1000 × price per kg
Electricity cost ($) = print hours × watts / 1000 × rate per kWh
Total cost ($) = material cost + electricity cost
Example Calculations
Example 1: Small 40 cm³ part at 20% infill
Effective volume = 40 × 0.3 + 40 × 0.7 × 0.20 = 17.6 cm³. PLA weight = 17.6 × 1.24 = 21.8 g, costing $0.44 in material. Nylon weight = 17.6 × 1.14 = 20.1 g at $35/kg = $0.70 in material. The 59% material cost premium for Nylon buys significantly better mechanical properties.
Example 2: Large 200 cm³ bracket at 50% infill
Effective volume = 200 × 0.3 + 200 × 0.7 × 0.50 = 130 cm³. PLA: 161.2 g at $20/kg = $3.22. ABS: 135.2 g at $22/kg = $2.97. ABS is actually cheaper per part than PLA here because its lower density more than offsets the slightly higher price per kilogram.
Example 3: Electricity impact on a 12-hour print
At 200W and $0.16/kWh, a 12-hour print costs $0.38 in electricity regardless of material. If PLA takes 10 hours and Nylon takes 14 hours, the electricity difference is only $0.13. Material cost is almost always the dominant factor in the comparison.
Common 3D Printing Applications
- Choose the most cost-effective material for a project when multiple filaments meet the functional requirements.
- Quantify the per-part cost premium of upgrading from PLA to an engineering filament like PETG, ABS, or Nylon.
- Make informed purchasing decisions by seeing how material density affects the true cost per part versus just the spool price.
- Estimate production costs when considering material alternatives for a product line or batch manufacturing.
- Justify material upgrades to clients or teams by showing the exact cost difference per part.
Tips for Better 3D Printing Results
Do not choose material based solely on cost. PLA is cheapest but cannot handle sustained temperatures above 55-60 degrees Celsius. PETG handles moderate heat and moisture. ABS resists heat well but warps without an enclosure. Nylon is toughest but absorbs moisture and costs the most. Choose the cheapest material that meets your functional requirements.
For the most accurate comparison, slice your model once in each material profile because print times, layer heights, and speeds may vary. The default times in this calculator are reasonable starting points for standard print settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which filament material is cheapest to print with?
PLA is almost always the cheapest option at around $20 per kilogram for standard brands. Its relatively high density of 1.24 g/cm³ means parts are slightly heavier than ABS, but the lower price per kilogram more than compensates. Budget PLA can be found for as little as $12-15/kg.
Is PETG much more expensive than PLA?
PETG typically costs $22-25 per kilogram, only about 10-20% more than PLA. However, PETG has a higher density (1.27 g/cm³) which means slightly heavier parts, pushing the per-part material cost a bit higher. The small premium is often worth it for the improved chemical resistance and durability.
Why is Nylon so much more expensive per part?
Nylon filament costs about $35 per kilogram, roughly 75% more than PLA. It also requires higher print temperatures and often needs a heated enclosure. However, its exceptional toughness, abrasion resistance, and flexibility make it the right choice for functional mechanical parts where cheaper materials would fail.
Does print time differ significantly between materials?
Print time varies by about 10-30% between common materials. PLA can be printed faster than most materials, while ABS and PETG run slightly slower due to higher temperatures and cooling requirements. Nylon is typically the slowest due to its high temperature requirements and tendency to warp at faster speeds.
How does material density affect the cost comparison?
Density directly affects how heavy a part is for the same volume. ABS has the lowest density at 1.04 g/cm³, meaning less material by weight for the same size part. PLA and PETG are denser at 1.24 and 1.27 g/cm³ respectively. Lower density means less material consumed, but the price per kilogram also matters.
Should electricity cost factor into material choice?
For most hobby printers, electricity is a minor factor - typically $0.03 to $0.10 per hour of printing. The difference in electricity cost between materials is small because the wattage draw is similar. Material cost and print properties should drive the decision, not electricity.
When should I pay more for an engineering filament?
Pay more when the application demands it. Use Nylon for gears, hinges, and high-wear parts. Use PETG for outdoor items or anything exposed to moisture. Use ABS for heat-resistant parts like car interior clips. For decorative or low-stress items, PLA at the lowest cost is almost always the right choice.
Sources and References
- Prusa Research, filament material properties and recommended print settings.
- All3DP, 3D printing filament price survey and material comparison guides.
- CNC Kitchen, empirical filament density measurements and print cost analysis.
- Simplify3D, material properties table for FDM 3D printing filaments.