Free Additive Manufacturing Tool

3D Printing Cost
Calculator

Estimate per-part production costs across FDM, SLA, SLS, MJF, and metal DMLS/SLM technologies. Model material cost, machine time, labor, post-processing, and batch economics for industrial additive manufacturing.

✓ FDM / FFF✓ SLA / Resin✓ SLS Nylon✓ HP MJF✓ Metal DMLS/SLM✓ Per-Part Cost

1Technology

Thermoplastic extrusion — lowest cost per part for large parts, widest material range including high-performance polymers.

2Material

Good impact resistance, automotive prototyping

3Part Specifications

Solid volume from CAD

Parts per production run

Operator burdened rate

📊 Per-Part Cost Breakdown

Total Per-Part Cost
$61.15
10 parts = $612
Material Cost
$2.09
60g used (inc. waste)
Machine Time Cost
$40.00
3.3 hrs @ $12/hr
Labor Cost
$10.50
Setup + handling @ $35/hr
Post-Processing
$3.00
Support removal, finishing
Overhead
$5.56
10% of direct costs

💰 Cost Distribution

Material$2.09 (3%)
Machine Time$40.00 (65%)
Labor$10.50 (17%)
Post-Processing$3.00 (5%)
Overhead$5.56 (9%)
Total Per Part$61.15

📦 Batch Production Summary

Total Batch Cost
10 parts
$611.52
Total Print Time
1.4 days continuous
33.3 hours
Total Material Used
598 grams
0.60 kg
Part Weight (solid)
0.052 kg
52.0 grams

📚 Related Guides

Industrial 3D Printing Guide→3D Printing Cost Guide→FDM vs SLA vs SLS Comparison→Metal 3D Printing Guide→3D Printing ROI for Manufacturing→3D Printing vs CNC vs Injection Molding→

How to Use the 3D Printing Cost Calculator

Step 1: Select Your 3D Printing Technology

Choose from FDM (thermoplastic extrusion), SLA (resin photopolymerization), SLS (nylon powder sintering), MJF (HP Multi Jet Fusion), or DMLS/SLM (metal laser powder bed fusion). Each technology has different machine hourly costs, build speeds, and post-processing requirements that affect per-part economics.

Step 2: Choose Your Material

Material options update based on the selected technology. Each material shows its cost per kilogram, density (g/cm³), and typical support/waste percentage. Material cost typically represents 20–40% of total per-part cost for polymer parts and 15–30% for metal parts.

Step 3: Enter Part Specifications

Enter your part's solid volume in cm³ (from your CAD software), production quantity per batch, and your operator labor rate. The calculator automatically computes material weight, print time, and all cost components.

Step 4: Review Results

The calculator generates: total per-part cost broken down by material, machine time, labor, post-processing, and overhead. The cost distribution chart shows which cost component dominates for your specific scenario. The batch summary provides total production costs, print time, and material consumption.

Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates for planning purposes. Actual costs vary by equipment model, material supplier, build orientation, support structure requirements, part packing density, post-processing specifications, and geographic labor rates. Use these estimates as a starting point for vendor quotation comparison and budget planning. For production-level cost accuracy, request formal quotes from AM service providers or equipment vendors with your actual part files.