3D Printer Electricity Cost Calculator — Per Print & Per Month (2026)
Enter your printer wattage, print time and energy tariff — get electricity cost per print and estimated monthly running cost for any FDM or resin printer.
Check your printer spec. FDM typically 100–400W. Heated bed adds 60–120W.
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How much electricity does a 3D printer use?
Typical FDM printers draw 100–400W when printing; the heated bed adds 60–120W. During heat-up, power draw is at its highest. Compared to a kettle (2–3 kW) or oven, a 3D printer uses relatively little. Running one for a few hours a day usually adds only a few pounds or dollars to your bill.
How to calculate 3D printer electricity cost
Formula: Cost = (Watts ÷ 1000) × Hours × Rate per kWh
Example: 200W for 3 hours at £0.34/kWh = 0.2 × 3 × 0.34 = £0.20
FAQ
How many watts does a 3D printer use?
Most FDM printers draw 100–400W when printing. A typical desktop machine with heated bed is around 200W. Check your printer spec sheet for actual consumption.
Does the heated bed use a lot of electricity?
Yes. The heated bed often adds 60–120W. It draws most power during heat-up; once at temperature it cycles on and off. Including heat-up time in your calculation gives a more accurate cost.
How do I find my electricity rate?
Check your energy bill for the price per kWh (kilowatt-hour). UK rates are often £0.25–0.35/kWh, US $0.10–0.15/kWh, EU €0.20–0.30/kWh. Our presets use typical averages.
Is 3D printing expensive to run?
For most hobbyists, no. A 200W printer running 2 hours at £0.34/kWh costs about £0.14 per print. Filament usually costs more than electricity per print.
How does electricity cost compare to filament cost?
For small prints, filament cost is usually 3–5× higher than electricity. For long prints (many hours), electricity becomes a larger share. Always include both in your pricing.
Related tools & guides
3D Print Time Estimator
Estimate print duration from dimensions — electricity cost depends on time.
How Much Electricity Does a 3D Printer Use?
Per-hour cost table for Bambu, Prusa, Ender, Creality, and Voron.
Bambu Lab Running Cost 2026
Electricity, depreciation, and cost per print for every Bambu model.
Free 3D Print Cost Calculator
Include your electricity cost in a full print price breakdown.
Related Calculators
Add electricity to your full print cost calculation
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