100 cm³ model, 0.2 mm layers, 0.4 mm nozzle, 50 mm/s, 1.2x overhead
- Flow area = 0.04 cm × 0.02 cm = 0.0008 cm²
- Flow rate = 0.0008 × 5 cm/s = 0.004 cm³/s
- Base time ≈ 100 ÷ 0.004 = 25,000 s (~6.94 h)
- Adjusted ≈ 6.94 × 1.2 ≈ 8.3 h
tech calculator
3D Print Time Calculator
Estimate 3D print time from model volume, layer height, nozzle size, print speed, and travel overhead.
Results
- Base print time (seconds)
- 25000.00
- Adjusted time with overhead (seconds)
- 30000.00
- Adjusted time (hours)
- 8.33
How to use this calculator
- Enter model volume (cm³).
- Set layer height, nozzle diameter, and print speed.
- Optionally adjust travel/overhead factor to account for retractions/accel limits, then review estimated time.
Inputs explained
- Model volume
- Total printed volume; slicers often show this in cm³.
- Layer height
- Thinner layers increase time; thicker layers print faster with lower detail.
- Nozzle diameter
- Wider nozzles extrude more per pass, reducing time at cost of detail.
- Print speed
- Average extrusion speed; actual speed varies with geometry and accel limits.
- Travel factor
- Multiplier for non-print moves and slowdowns (e.g., 1.2 = +20%).
How it works
We approximate extrusion rate from nozzle width × layer height × print speed (flow area × speed).
Base time = Model volume ÷ (flow area × speed). We then multiply by a travel/overhead factor.
Formula
Flow rate ≈ Nozzle width × Layer height × Print speed Base time = Volume ÷ Flow rate Adjusted time = Base time × Overhead factor
When to use it
- Getting a rough ETA before starting a print.
- Comparing time savings from larger nozzles or thicker layers.
- Budgeting machine time for print farms or service bureaus.
Tips & cautions
- Complex geometries, supports, and low accelerations can increase overhead—raise travel factor for intricate prints.
- Use your slicer’s volume output for better accuracy; this tool is a quick estimate.
- For very fine layers or small nozzles, speed gains may be limited by acceleration/jerk settings.
- Simplified flow model; does not account for infill %, shells, supports separately.
- Assumes constant speed; real prints vary speed per feature.
- Uses a single overhead factor instead of modeling travel paths.
Worked examples
150 cm³ model, 0.3 mm layers, 0.6 mm nozzle, 60 mm/s, 1.15x overhead
- Flow area = 0.06 cm × 0.03 cm = 0.0018 cm²
- Flow rate = 0.0018 × 6 cm/s = 0.0108 cm³/s
- Base time ≈ 150 ÷ 0.0108 ≈ 13,889 s (~3.86 h)
- Adjusted ≈ 3.86 × 1.15 ≈ 4.4 h
Deep dive
Estimate 3D print time by entering model volume, layer height, nozzle size, print speed, and overhead factor.
Use it to sanity check slicer ETAs and compare settings for speed vs quality.
FAQs
- Does this handle infill and shells separately?
- No. It treats the model volume uniformly. For precision, use your slicer’s detailed ETA.
- How do supports affect time?
- Supports add volume and travel. Increase model volume accordingly or raise the overhead factor.
- Why is my printer slower than this estimate?
- Acceleration/jerk limits, cooling, and travel/retract overhead slow real-world prints. Increase the overhead factor.
- Can I use mm³ instead of cm³?
- Convert to cm³ (divide mm³ by 1,000) before entering; slicers often show cm³ directly.
- Does this account for variable speeds per feature?
- No. It uses a single average speed. Real slicers vary speeds for walls, infill, and small features.
Related calculators
tech
Power Supply Wattage Calculator
Estimate PSU wattage by adding CPU/GPU/other draw and headroom.
tech
Download Time Calculator
Estimate how long a download or upload will take based on file size and connection speed.
tech
Frame Time Calculator
Convert FPS into milliseconds per frame and see how much budget your render/update loop is using.
Quick estimate only. Real print times depend on acceleration, cooling, infill/support settings, and machine-specific factors.