Filament Cost-per-Gram Calculator
A cheaper spool isn't always better value if it weighs less. Get the real cost per gram and the material cost for any print.
Result
- Cost per kg—
- Material cost of this print—
How much does filament cost per gram?
For most standard FDM filament, expect roughly $0.015–0.035 per gram. A 1 kg PLA spool runs about $15–30 — budget brands near $12–15, premium ones like Prusament around $30+ — which is about $0.015–0.030 per gram. Engineering and composite materials cost more per gram because they're pricier per kilogram, not because you use more. Representative US ranges for 2026:
| Filament | Typical price / kg | Cost per gram |
|---|---|---|
| PLA / PLA+ | $15–30 | $0.015–0.030 |
| PETG | $18–35 | $0.018–0.035 |
| ABS / ASA | $18–40 | $0.018–0.040 |
| TPU (flexible) | $35–50 | $0.035–0.050 |
| Nylon (PA) | $45–65 | $0.045–0.065 |
| Carbon-fibre filled | $60–90 | $0.060–0.090 |
Representative US retail ranges, 2026. Within a material, brand and quality drive the spread — premium spools can cost 2–3× budget ones. Enter your own spool price above for your exact figure.
How to calculate filament cost per gram
The formula is simple: cost per gram = spool price ÷ net filament weight. Use the net weight — the filament only, usually 1000 g — not the gross weight that includes the spool. To cost a specific print, multiply by the grams your slicer reports: print material cost = cost per gram × grams used. The calculator above does both at once.
Why compare spools by cost per gram, not sticker price
A "cheap" spool isn't always the better value. Within a single material, brand and quality explain most of the price spread — a $28 name-brand PLA and a $13 no-name PLA both exist. But a cheaper spool can have inconsistent diameter or contaminants, causing failed prints that wipe out the saving (a failed 10-hour print costs far more than a few dollars of plastic). Two things also distort sticker price: spools ship in 0.5, 0.75, 1, and 2.3 kg sizes, and some "1 kg" deals are only 800 g net.
So compare two ways: by cost per gram (normalises spool size and packaging), and by real cost including your failure rate — the 3D Print Cost Calculator factors failures in. A slightly pricier, reliable spool often wins. Both numbers then feed an honest selling price.
How it's calculated
Cost per gram = spool price ÷ net weight. Print material cost = cost per gram × grams used.
- Use the NET filament weight (e.g. 1000 g), not gross weight including the spool.
FAQ
Why cost per gram and not per spool?
How much does PLA cost per gram?
What's the average cost per gram of filament?
How do I calculate the filament cost of a print?
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