How Many Prints Can I Get from One Spool?
Enter your spool size and average print weight to get exact print count, cost per print, and leftover filament.
Quick answer
How many prints can you get from one spool of filament?
- How many grams is a standard spool?
- The most common spool is 1 kg (1,000 g) of filament, not counting the plastic or cardboard spool itself. Spools also come in 250 g, 500 g, 2 kg, 3 kg and 5 kg sizes.
- How much filament is wasted per spool?
- Allow roughly 3–5% for priming, purging and the occasional failed print. The calculator deducts a waste allowance so the print count reflects real-world usable filament.
Inputs
Weigh a finished print or check your slicer
Accounts for priming, purging, and failed prints. 5% is typical.
Quick reference - prints per 1kg spool
| Print weight | Prints per 1kg | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 10g | ~95 | Small keyring, clip |
| 25g | ~38 | Small figurine, hook |
| 50g | ~19 | Phone stand, small vase |
| 100g | ~9 | Medium organiser, pot |
| 200g | ~4 | Large vase, box |
| 500g | ~1 | Large print, helmet part |
Related tools & guides
How to calculate how many prints per spool
Enter your filament spool weight (typically 1 kg), the average print weight in grams, and a waste factor for support material and failed prints. The calculator shows how many prints to expect per spool, cost per print, and how far your current stock will take you.
How many prints can you get from a 1 kg spool of PLA?
It depends on print weight. A 1 kg spool delivers roughly 30–40 prints at 25 g average, 15–20 prints at 50 g, or 8–10 prints at 100 g. Add a 5–10% waste factor for failed prints and support material to get a realistic estimate for production planning.
How do I reduce filament waste per spool?
Use Bambu Studio or PrusaSlicer's multi-plate layout to batch-print small parts and fill the build plate efficiently. Minimise support material with smart part orientation. Keep failure rates low with proper bed adhesion and first-layer calibration — a single failed large print can waste 20–30% of a spool.
What is the average cost per gram for PLA filament in 2026?
Budget PLA runs £10–14/kg (1.0–1.4p per gram). Mid-range brands cost £15–20/kg (1.5–2.0p/g). Premium or engineering PLA runs £20–30/kg. For Etsy pricing, always calculate from your actual cost per gram — the difference compounds significantly across hundreds of prints per month.