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3D Printing Volume (Commercial) Calculator

Estimate a 3D printed part's geometric volume, material use, weight and material cost from its dimensions, infill and production settings.

Your Details

Overview

Use this commercial 3D printing volume calculator to estimate a production job's material volume, weight and raw material cost. Enter the part envelope dimensions, quantity, infill, shell allowance, expected waste, material density and price per kilogram.

How it works

The calculator first finds the rectangular bounding volume by multiplying length, width and height. It multiplies that volume by the quantity, then estimates the printed share using the infill percentage plus a shell allowance. A support and waste allowance is added to the estimated material volume. Finally, material volume is multiplied by density to estimate weight, and weight is multiplied by the price per kilogram to estimate raw material cost. Because a part's true CAD volume and slicer path can differ significantly from its outer envelope, this is best used for early-stage planning.

How to use this calculator

  1. 1Enter the maximum length, width and height of one finished part in centimetres.
  2. 2Enter the number of identical parts required.
  3. 3Add the intended infill percentage from your slicer settings.
  4. 4Set an allowance for walls, top layers and bottom layers.
  5. 5Add a support and waste allowance appropriate for the process and job.
  6. 6Enter the material density and price per kilogram, then review the material estimate.

Example Calculation

Part length

10

Part width

10

Part height

5

Quantity

10

Infill percentage

20%

Shell and top/bottom allowance

15%

Support and waste allowance

10%

Material density

1.24

Material price per kg

$25

Estimated material cost

$59.68

Ten parts with a combined 5,000 cm³ bounding volume are estimated to use about 217 g of PLA after allowances, with a raw material cost of about 5.43.

Frequently asked questions

What is 3D printing volume?

It can mean either the space a part occupies or the material volume consumed during printing. This calculator shows the rectangular part envelope and estimates material volume after infill, shell and waste allowances.

Why is the bounding volume larger than the material volume?

The bounding volume treats the part as a solid rectangular block. Most printed parts have empty space around their shape and may also use partial infill, so their actual material use is usually much lower.

How should I choose a shell allowance?

Use a higher allowance for parts with thick walls, many top and bottom layers, small features or a high wall-to-volume ratio. For accurate work, compare the result with your slicer's material estimate.

Does the calculation include supports?

Supports are not modeled separately. Include an appropriate percentage in the support and waste allowance to account for supports, brims, purging and expected waste.

Does the estimated cost include print time and labor?

No. The cost output is for raw material only. Add machine time, electricity, setup, labor, finishing, packaging, overhead and any applicable taxes separately when preparing a quote.

Can I use this calculator for resin, filament or powder printing?

Yes, provided you enter the relevant material density and price. The allowances should be adjusted for the printing process, part orientation and post-processing needs.

Explore Related Calculators

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Assumptions and warnings

Assumptions

  • The entered dimensions describe a rectangular bounding envelope around each part, not the exact CAD-model volume.
  • The infill and shell allowance are combined to estimate the portion of the envelope occupied by material.
  • The support and waste allowance covers expected extra material but may not match a specific printer or slicing profile.
  • Material cost includes raw material only; machine time, labor, finishing, overhead, shipping and taxes are excluded.
  • Results are planning estimates and should be checked against a slicer estimate before quoting or production.

Warnings

  • This calculator provides an estimate only and is not a production quote.
  • Complex geometry, orientation, wall settings, supports and printer calibration can materially change actual material use and cost.