PETG print cost calculator
PETG is the workhorse for functional parts: tougher than PLA, more heat-resistant and almost as easy to print. Drop an STL to see the grams, meters and full cost of printing it in PETG.
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- Size (X × Y × Z)
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- Mesh check
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- Build volume
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Cost estimate
| Cost | How | Amount | Share |
|---|
Printer, time & electricity
Labor, failures & markup
PETG at a glance
| Density | 1.27 g/cm³ |
|---|---|
| Typical price | $16.00–$30.00 per kg (calculator default $22.00) |
| Cost per gram | $0.02 at $22.00/kg |
| Meters per kg | 327 m (1.75 mm) · 123 m (2.85 mm) |
| Nozzle | 220–250 °C |
| Bed | 70–85 °C |
| Enclosure | Not needed |
What common prints cost in PETG
Estimated with 15% infill, 1.2 mm walls and 5% waste on a fast bed slinger, including electricity, machine wear and a 10% failure buffer:
| Model | Weight | Filament | Time | Material | Total cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 mm calibration cube | 4.9 g | 1.59 m | 12 min | $0.11 | $0.17 |
| 50 mm sphere | 23.8 g | 7.78 m | 37 min | $0.52 | $0.72 |
| 70 mm twisted planter (sample) | 54.0 g | 17.68 m | 1 h 17 min | $1.19 | $1.61 |
| 50 mm ring (torus) | 7.3 g | 2.40 m | 16 min | $0.16 | $0.24 |
| 100 × 100 × 3 mm plate | 34.8 g | 11.40 m | 52 min | $0.77 | $1.05 |
PETG is slightly denser than PLA — about 1.27 g/cm³ — so the same part weighs roughly 2–3% more and a 1 kg spool holds a few meters less filament. In practice the price per kilogram is close to PLA, so a PETG part usually costs within 10–15% of the PLA version.
PETG strings more than PLA and is often printed a little slower and hotter, which adds a few minutes of machine time per hour of printing. Its heated bed also runs warmer (70–85 °C), so electricity is a slightly larger share of the cost — still only a few cents per print on most machines.
PETG sticks extremely well to smooth PEI and glass. Use a textured sheet or a thin layer of glue stick as a release agent; a ripped build plate is a far bigger expense than any filament.
Best for
- Brackets, mounts, enclosures and clips
- Parts that see moisture or mild heat
- Mechanical parts that should bend before they snap
Compare materials side by side in PLA vs PETG vs ABS vs TPU vs resin, or convert PETG weight to length with the PETG filament length calculator.
FAQ
What is the density of PETG?
About 1.27 g/cm³, so 1 cm³ of solid PETG weighs 1.27 g. Exact values vary a little by brand and additives.
How many meters are in a 1 kg spool of PETG?
About 327 m of 1.75 mm PETG, or 123 m of 2.85 mm filament.
How much does PETG cost per gram?
At $22.00 per kg, PETG costs $0.02 per gram (typical range $16.00–$30.00 per kg). A 54 g print uses about $1.19 of material.