PETG Filament Cost Calculator — True Cost Per Print (2026)
Enter your PETG spool price, print weight and print time — get exact material cost, electricity cost and a suggested selling price. PETG costs more than PLA; make sure your pricing reflects it.
PETG sits between PLA and ABS in almost every dimension — cost, durability, and print difficulty. It costs roughly 10–30% more per kilogram than PLA, runs hotter (230–250°C nozzle, 70–85°C bed), and is prone to stringing if your retraction settings aren't dialled in. The payoff is significantly better layer adhesion, impact resistance, and heat tolerance up to ~80°C — making it the go-to material for functional parts, outdoor prints, and anything that needs to survive a bit of stress. If you're pricing PETG prints for sale, factor in the slightly higher material cost and longer print times compared to PLA — this calculator handles both automatically.
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PETG filament cost in 2026
| Tier | Price per kg |
|---|---|
| Budget PETG | £14–20/kg |
| Mid-range | £20–28/kg |
| Premium | £26–35/kg |
See our PETG brand rankings for recommended filaments.
PETG vs PLA — when to upgrade?
PETG costs roughly 25–35% more than PLA but offers significantly better layer adhesion, moisture resistance, and impact strength. Use PETG for functional parts, outdoor prints, food-contact items (with food-safe nozzle), or anything that needs to flex slightly without snapping. For purely decorative prints, PLA is usually the better value.
Typical PETG print costs
| Item | Weight | Time | Material | Electricity | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phone stand | 35g | 1.5h | £1.12 | £0.1 | £1.22 |
| Vase | 80g | 3h | £2.56 | £0.2 | £2.76 |
| Figurine | 45g | 4h | £1.44 | £0.27 | £1.71 |
| Cable clip | 8g | 0.5h | £0.26 | £0.03 | £0.29 |
Based on PETG at £0.032/g, 200W printer, £0.34/kWh
FAQ
How much does PETG filament cost per gram?
Mid-range PETG costs £0.020–0.032 per gram (£20–32/kg). Budget options like Sunlu PETG start around £0.014/g. Premium brands like Prusament PETG reach £0.030–0.038/g. Use the spool price helper above to calculate your exact cost per gram.
Is PETG harder to print than PLA?
PETG is slightly more demanding than PLA — it requires a heated bed (70–85°C), is more prone to stringing, and needs slower bridging speeds. It bonds aggressively to smooth glass beds, so use a release agent or PEI sheet. Most modern printers handle it well with the right profile.
What temperature does PETG print at?
PETG typically prints at 230–250°C nozzle and 70–85°C bed. Print speeds of 40–60mm/s give the best results. Cooling fan at 50% or less — too much cooling weakens layer adhesion.
Can I use PETG for food contact?
Only if you use a stainless steel or hardened nozzle (no brass), food-safe filament, and print with no gaps in the surface. The layer lines in FDM prints trap bacteria regardless of material — most PETG prints are not safe for direct food contact without post-processing.
Other material calculators
Related tools & guides
Retraction Settings Calculator
PETG strings easily — get recommended retraction distance and speed.
Shrinkage & Scale Calculator
PETG shrinks ~0.5% — compensate for precise dimensional prints.
Best PETG Filament Brands (2026)
Ranked by strength, adhesion, and value — with cost-per-gram comparison.
Filament Cost Per Gram Reference
PETG, PLA, ABS, TPU cost-per-gram table for 2026.
How Much Does It Cost to 3D Print?
Real cost breakdowns for common prints with UK and US figures.
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