3D Printing Weight Calculator
Estimate the finished weight of a 3D print from its model volume, infill, shell allowance, supports, and material density.
Overview
This 3D Printing Weight Calculator estimates how many grams of filament or resin a print may use. Enter the model’s solid volume, infill and shell allowance, any support volume, and the density of your chosen material to plan material requirements.
How it works
The calculator first estimates the fraction of the solid model volume that becomes printed material. It treats the shell allowance as solid material and applies the infill percentage to the rest of the model. It then adds estimated support material, multiplies the combined material volume by density, and adds your chosen allowance for purge, setup waste, or other losses. This is a simplified estimate: a slicer can model individual walls, layer patterns, and support structures more precisely.
How to use this calculator
- 1Enter the model’s solid volume from your CAD program or slicer.
- 2Set the infill percentage used for the model.
- 3Estimate the percentage of the model occupied by walls and top and bottom layers.
- 4Add support volume and its effective infill if your print uses supports.
- 5Enter your material density and an allowance for waste or purge material.
- 6Review the estimated total material weight in grams.
Example Calculation
Model volume
100
Infill
20%
Shell and top/bottom allowance
15%
Support material volume
0
Support infill
15%
Material density
1.24
Extra material allowance
5%
Estimated total material weight
41.7 g
For a 100 cm³ model with 20% infill, a 15% shell allowance, and PLA density of 1.24 g/cm³, the estimated material requirement is about 39.1 g including a 5% allowance.
Frequently asked questions
How do I find the volume of a 3D model?
Many slicers and CAD programs show model volume in their object information or print statistics. Use the volume of the solid model, not the slicer’s filament volume, in this calculator.
What density should I use for PLA?
A common PLA density is about 1.24 g/cm³. Check the product data sheet for your specific filament or resin if you need a closer estimate.
Why does infill not equal the total weight percentage?
Walls, top layers, and bottom layers are usually printed solid, so they add material beyond the internal infill percentage. This calculator includes a separate shell allowance for that reason.
Should I include supports in the estimate?
Yes, if supports, rafts, or large brims are needed. Estimate their bounding volume and effective infill, or use 100% if you already know the actual printed-material volume.
Will this match my slicer’s filament estimate?
It may be close for planning, but it may not match exactly. Slicers calculate individual toolpaths and can account for details such as line width, layer height, purge structures, and variable infill.
Can I use this calculator for resin printing?
Yes. Enter the cured resin density and estimate the effective material volume after hollowing, drainage holes, supports, and any planned material allowance.
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Assumptions and warnings
Assumptions
- The model volume is measured as a fully solid volume in cubic centimetres.
- Shell and top/bottom layers are represented by the shell allowance percentage you enter.
- Support volume and support infill are estimates and can vary substantially by slicer settings.
- Material density is assumed to be uniform throughout the print.
- Results are planning estimates and do not account for every slicer-specific feature or print loss.
Warnings
- This calculator provides an estimate only; use your slicer’s material estimate when available before starting a large or costly print.
- Actual material use can differ because of wall thickness, layer height, purge towers, adaptive infill, supports, and printer calibration.