Indicative conversions, not bank transaction rates.

For an initial budget, add the consumed filament and estimated electricity over the selected duration. This does not automatically include your time, printer wear or failed prints. The cost calculator performs the addition; its usefulness depends on the inputs.

Prepare the data before calculating

Input Where to find it Question to ask
Consumed mass, g Post-slicing estimate Does it include supports, brim and purge?
Filament price per kg Price actually paid and net filament mass Is the stated mass filament only?
Duration, hours and minutes Slicer estimate or recorded duration Does it include preheating?
Average power, W Measurement for a defined scope or a labelled assumption Is this an average or the power supply rating?
Electricity tariff per kWh Your contract or bill Which variable charge are you comparing?

Do not use a solid model’s mass as printing consumption. PrusaSlicer documentation shows that infill changes filament use; walls and solid layers also contribute. Changing a profile therefore requires slicing again before comparing estimates.

Reproduce an example from start to finish

Teaching assumptions, identical to the M03 example: 150 g of filament, EUR 24.00/kg, 5 h 30 min, assumed average power of 120 W and an assumed tariff of EUR 0.30/kWh. These are neither recommended prices nor a printer measurement. Monetary operands follow the selected currency; their original EUR values remain available.

  1. Convert mass: 150 / 1000 = 0.150 kg.
  2. Calculate filament: 0.150 kg × EUR 24.00/kg = EUR 3.60.
  3. Convert duration: 5 + 30 / 60 = 5.5 h.
  4. Calculate energy: 120 / 1000 × 5.5 = 0.66 kWh.
  5. Calculate electricity: 0.66 kWh × EUR 0.30/kWh = EUR 0.198.
  6. Add before rounding: EUR 3.60 + EUR 0.198 = EUR 3.798, displayed as EUR 3.80.

The EIA distinguishes watts, power at a point in time, from watt-hours, energy over a duration. The tool applies this relationship using a chosen average power. For help selecting that assumption, read rated power and energy.

Compare options without obscuring the result

Keep the same columns for every profile: mass, duration, assumed power, tariff and result. Change one item at a time to understand the difference. Hypothetically, increasing mass from 150 to 200 g at the same price adds 0.050 kg × EUR 24.00/kg = EUR 1.20 in filament, independently of electricity.

A shorter duration alone does not guarantee a lower cost: mass and power assumptions may also change. Record slicer data separately from manual assumptions. If you only have a length, start with the filament conversion guide.

What a full cost would require

For professional activity, define the missing items separately: preparation, finishing, depreciation, maintenance, consumables and failed prints. Avoid adding an arbitrary percentage labelled “exact cost”. Document your method and its scope; the current calculator deliberately covers filament and electricity only.

Sources consulted

  • Measuring electricity — U.S. Energy Information Administration
    Accessed
  • Infill — Prusa Research
    Accessed

Further reading