What the estimate includes
The calculator adds filament cost, estimated electricity use, optional machine time, and an optional contingency. It does not automatically include labor, design time, shipping, tax, packaging, post-processing, software, rent, profit, or equipment replacement.
How each value is calculated
Filament
Filament cost equals price per kilogram multiplied by grams used, divided by 1,000. Use the slicer’s complete job total, including supports, brim, raft, and purge structures where applicable.
filament cost = price/kg × grams ÷ 1,000Electricity
Power varies during warm-up, heating cycles, movement, and idle periods. An average measured wattage is more useful than the maximum number printed on a power supply.
electricity = watts ÷ 1,000 × hours × price/kWhMachine time
An hourly machine cost can represent depreciation, scheduled maintenance, or internal capacity. Define what it includes so you do not count the same cost twice.
Contingency
The allowance is a transparent buffer on the subtotal. It is not a scientific prediction that a print will fail. Base it on your own tracked waste and retries when possible.
Improve the estimate
- Use the full slicer total rather than only model volume.
- Measure average energy over a representative print if cost matters.
- Track purge, calibration, and failed material separately.
- Keep labor and profit outside direct machine cost unless clearly defined.
- Recalculate after changing nozzle, profile, supports, or material.
Need to convert spool mass and length first? Use the Filament Calculator. For inventory planning, read How Long Does a 1 kg Spool Last?