3D Printer Electricity Cost Calculator
Enter wattage, print time and your energy rate to see cost per print and per month.
Check your printer spec. FDM typically 100–400W. Heated bed adds 60–120W.
🧮
Enter values above to see results
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.
Add electricity to your full print cost calculation
Material, electricity, shipping and profit in one place.