⚡ Print Electricity Cost Calculator
Enter the printer's power, how long the print takes and your electricity rate to estimate the energy cost.
Electricity cost
0.14
Energy used
0.450 kWh
Cost = power (kW) × time (h) × rate. A typical FDM printer averages about 50–150 W during a print (the heated bed dominates), so 100 W is a reasonable default — but measure yours with a plug meter for accuracy, as bed temperature and enclosure change it a lot. Amounts are in whatever currency you enter. 🔒 In your browser.
How the print electricity cost calculator works
Electricity cost is power × time × rate. The tool multiplies the printer's average power (in watts, ÷1000 for kilowatts) by the print time in hours to get kilowatt-hours, then multiplies by your per-kWh rate. Enter the print time in hours and minutes and your local electricity price.
A typical desktop FDM printer averages roughly 50–150 watts during a print — the heated bed dominates, so large or high-temperature (ABS) prints draw more, and an enclosure or a bigger bed raises it further. 100 W is a reasonable default, but for accuracy measure your own printer with an inexpensive plug-in energy meter.
Frequently asked questions
How much electricity does a 3D print use?
Power (kW) × time (h). A printer averaging 100 W over a 5-hour print uses 0.5 kWh — at $0.30/kWh, about $0.15. The heated bed is the biggest draw, so hotter and bigger prints cost more.
How many watts does a 3D printer use?
A desktop FDM printer typically averages 50–150 W during a print, with brief peaks of 200–300 W while the bed and nozzle heat up. The exact figure depends on bed size and temperature and whether it's enclosed.
Is 3D printing expensive to run?
Usually not — electricity is a small part of the cost. Most prints cost a few cents to a couple of dollars in power, far less than the filament. Long prints on a big heated bed in a cold room are the priciest.
How do I measure my printer's power?
Plug it into a cheap energy monitor (a "kill-a-watt"-style plug meter) and watch the average watts over a print, or read the total kWh for a job. Enter that wattage here for an accurate estimate.
Does the heated bed use the most power?
Yes. Heating the bed — especially a large one to ABS/PETG temperatures — dominates a printer's power draw. The hotend, steppers and fans are comparatively minor.