TPU (flexible filament) cost calculator
TPU is a rubber-like flexible filament for phone cases, gaskets, feet and grips. It prints slowly and costs more per kilogram, so machine time matters more than usual. Drop an STL to price it properly.
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- Size (X × Y × Z)
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- Volume
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- Triangles
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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
TPU at a glance
| Density | 1.21 g/cm³ |
|---|---|
| Typical price | $24.00–$45.00 per kg (calculator default $32.00) |
| Cost per gram | $0.03 at $32.00/kg |
| Meters per kg | 344 m (1.75 mm) · 130 m (2.85 mm) |
| Nozzle | 210–235 °C |
| Bed | 30–60 °C |
| Enclosure | Not needed |
What common prints cost in TPU
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 | 4.6 g | 1.59 m | 22 min | $0.15 | $0.25 |
| 50 mm sphere | 22.6 g | 7.78 m | 1 h 24 min | $0.72 | $1.13 |
| 70 mm twisted planter (sample) | 51.4 g | 17.68 m | 3 h 03 min | $1.65 | $2.54 |
| 50 mm ring (torus) | 7.0 g | 2.40 m | 30 min | $0.22 | $0.37 |
| 100 × 100 × 3 mm plate | 33.2 g | 11.40 m | 2 h 00 min | $1.06 | $1.65 |
TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) has a density of about 1.21 g/cm³ and typically costs $24–45 per kilogram. Shore 95A is the most common hardness; softer grades print even slower and often cost more.
The biggest difference is speed: flexible filament buckles if it is pushed fast, so most printers run TPU at 20–40 mm/s. The calculator assumes TPU prints at about 40% of PLA speed, which makes machine time and electricity a much larger share of the cost. If your slicer gives you an exact time, type it in.
Infill changes how soft a TPU part feels as well as how much it weighs. Low infill (5–15%) with two or three walls gives a squishy part; 40% and above feels close to solid rubber.
Best for
- Phone cases, bumpers and protective covers
- Gaskets, seals, feet and vibration dampers
- Wearables, watch straps and grips
Compare materials side by side in PLA vs PETG vs ABS vs TPU vs resin, or convert TPU weight to length with the TPU filament length calculator.
FAQ
What is the density of TPU?
About 1.21 g/cm³, so 1 cm³ of solid TPU weighs 1.21 g. Exact values vary a little by brand and additives.
How many meters are in a 1 kg spool of TPU?
About 344 m of 1.75 mm TPU, or 130 m of 2.85 mm filament.
How much does TPU cost per gram?
At $32.00 per kg, TPU costs $0.03 per gram (typical range $24.00–$45.00 per kg). A 51 g print uses about $1.65 of material.