Filament Cost Per Gram: PLA, PETG, ABS, TPU (2026 Reference + Calculator)
Your filament's cost per gram is the single most important number for accurate print costing. Most sellers either guess it or use a rough average — this guide gives you the exact figures for every major material, shows you how to calculate it from your spool price, and explains how small differences compound into significant pricing errors over time. Prices shown in GBP (£) and USD ($) throughout. The calculator auto-detects your currency.
Cost Per Gram Reference (2026)
| Material | Default cost/g (£) | Default cost/g ($) | Typical spool (£/kg) | Typical spool ($/kg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PLA | £0.025 | $0.025 | £15–£25 | $14–$24 |
| PLA+ | £0.028 | $0.028 | £18–£28 | $17–$27 |
| PETG | £0.032 | $0.030 | £20–£30 | $18–$28 |
| ABS | £0.035 | $0.033 | £20–£30 | $18–$28 |
| TPU | £0.045 | $0.042 | £25–£40 | $23–$38 |
UK prices (£) based on Amazon UK / direct, March 2026. US prices ($) based on Amazon US. Use the cost per gram calculator to enter your exact spool price.
How to Calculate Cost Per Gram from Your Spool
Example: £22 spool ÷ 1000g = £0.022/g. Example: $19 for 1kg spool = $0.019/g.
Note on 750g vs 1kg spools — some "1kg" spools are actually 750g net weight. Always divide by the net filament weight, not the gross weight including the spool itself.
The cost per gram calculator lets you enter spool price and weight and gives you cost per gram + cost per print weight instantly.
Why Cost Per Gram Matters More Than Spool Price
Two spools at £22 and £19 — sounds like a £3 saving. But if one is 750g and the other is 1000g: £22/1000 = £0.022/g vs £19/750 = £0.025/g — the "cheaper" spool is actually more expensive per gram. For a 100g print: £2.20 vs £2.50 — only 30p difference. But over 500 prints/year that's £150 difference from one filament choice.
Always compare cost per gram, not cost per spool, when evaluating filament value.
Cost Per Gram by Material — Full Breakdown
PLA (£0.015–£0.025/g ($0.015–$0.025/g))
Most affordable. Corn starch/sugarcane base, straightforward extrusion. Good for decorative items, miniatures, non-structural parts. Budget brands (Sunlu, ESUN) at low end; Prusament, Polymaker at higher end. See our best PLA brands roundup. Budget brands can have inconsistent diameter — weigh your prints to catch cost surprises.
PLA+ (£0.018–£0.028/g ($0.017–$0.027/g))
Modified PLA with better impact resistance. ~12–15% more expensive than standard PLA. Worth the premium for functional parts that would crack in standard PLA. Print temp slightly higher (205–225°C vs 190–220°C).
PETG (£0.020–£0.032/g ($0.018–$0.030/g))
~28% more expensive than PLA. Higher clarity, better heat and chemical resistance. Excellent for food-contact containers, mechanical parts, outdoor use. Slight moisture absorption — store in dry box. Common mistake: pricing PETG prints at PLA rates.
ABS (£0.020–£0.035/g ($0.018–$0.033/g))
Roughly 40% more expensive than PLA. Requires enclosed printer — warps badly in drafts. Fumes require ventilation. Best for high-heat applications (under-bonnet parts, near hot appliances). Largely replaced by ASA or PETG for most consumer use cases.
TPU (£0.025–£0.045/g ($0.023–$0.042/g))
Most expensive common material — ~80% more per gram than PLA. Flexible, rubberlike. Phone cases, gaskets, vibration dampeners. Slow to print. If you sell TPU items, many sellers forget to update their per-gram cost and price at PLA rates.
If you sell multiple materials and haven't updated your cost-per-gram for each, you may be systematically undercharging on your more expensive materials.
Bulk vs Single Spool — Is It Worth Buying 5kg Rolls?
| Spool size | Typical price | Cost/g | Saving vs 1kg |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1kg PLA | £18–£22 | £0.018–£0.022 | — |
| 5kg PLA (branded) | £65–£80 | £0.013–£0.016 | 20–30% |
| 5kg PLA (budget) | £45–£55 | £0.009–£0.011 | 40–55% |
Bulk buying only makes sense if you'll use it before quality degradation (typically 6–12 months opened). If you print 200g/week, a 5kg roll lasts 25 weeks — reasonable. If you print 50g/week, it could degrade before you finish it.
How Much Does 1kg of Filament Make?
| Item | Approx weight | Prints per 1kg spool |
|---|---|---|
| Small figurine (15g) | 15g | ~67 prints |
| Phone stand (80g) | 80g | ~12 prints |
| Decorative vase (200g) | 200g | ~5 prints |
| Cable management box (120g) | 120g | ~8 prints |
| Fidget toy (35g) | 35g | ~28 prints |
FAQ
What is the cheapest filament per gram?
Budget PLA (Sunlu, Esun) starts at £0.012–£0.015/g for 1kg, £0.009–£0.011/g on 5kg rolls.
How do I find out my filament cost per gram?
Divide spool price by weight in grams. Use the cost per gram calculator to do it instantly.
Does filament cost affect Etsy pricing significantly?
Yes — see how to price 3D prints on Etsy. The filament cost-per-gram is the base of your cost stack.
Is PLA or PETG cheaper to print with?
PLA is ~28% cheaper per gram. For items where PETG's properties aren't needed, PLA is the better margin choice.
Find Your Exact Cost Per Gram
Enter your spool price and weight. Get cost per gram, cost per print, and a suggested selling price — instantly.
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