PLA Cost Per Gram Calculator

Calculate the true cost of your PLA filament per gram. Compare different spool sizes, estimate print costs, and find the best value for your 3D printing projects.

Cost Per Gram Calculator

Spool Size

Spool Price ($)

Your PLA Cost

Cost Per Gram

$0.0250

Cost Per kg

$25.00

Estimate Print Cost

Print Weight (grams)

Material Cost

$1.25

You can print approximately 20 of these from one spool

PLA Price Comparison

Compare your PLA cost against typical market prices to see if you're getting a good deal.

Quality Tier	Price/kg	Price/gram	Notes
Budget PLA	$15	$0.0150	Basic quality, may have inconsistencies
Standard PLAYour Range	$22	$0.0220	Good quality, reliable results
Premium PLA	$30	$0.0300	Excellent quality, tight tolerances
Specialty PLA	$40	$0.0400	Matte, silk, wood-fill, etc.

Spool Size Value Comparison

Based on your current price, here's how different spool sizes compare in value.

500g Half Spool

$0.0300/g

~$15 typical

10 prints @ 50g

1kg Standard Spool

$0.0250/g

~$25 typical

20 prints @ 50g

2kg Large Spool

$0.0231/g

~$46 typical

40 prints @ 50g

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Understanding PLA Filament Costs

PLA (Polylactic Acid) is the most popular 3D printing filament due to its ease of use and affordability. Understanding the true cost per gram helps you budget for projects and compare deals across different brands and spool sizes.

What Affects PLA Price?

Brand & Quality

Premium brands like Prusament offer tighter diameter tolerances (±0.02mm vs ±0.05mm), resulting in more consistent prints but higher prices.

Specialty Types

Silk, matte, wood-fill, and other specialty PLAs cost more due to additives. Standard PLA is most economical for functional prints.

Spool Size

Larger spools offer better value per gram. A 3kg spool might save 15-20% compared to buying individual 1kg spools, but requires proper storage.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does PLA cost per gram?

PLA typically costs $0.015-0.04 per gram. Standard 1kg spools at $20-25 work out to $0.02-0.025/gram. Budget PLA can be as low as $0.015/gram while premium brands reach $0.03-0.04/gram.

What is a good price for PLA filament?

A good price for quality PLA is $20-25 per 1kg spool. This balances cost with reliable print quality. Budget options under $15/kg exist but may have inconsistent diameter or moisture issues.

Is it cheaper to buy larger PLA spools?

Yes, larger spools offer 10-20% savings per gram. However, only buy bulk if you can use it within 6-12 months and store it properly (dry box or vacuum sealed with desiccant).

How much filament does a typical print use?

Small items use 10-30g, medium functional parts 50-150g, and large prints can use 200-500g+. A 1kg spool typically yields 20-100 small prints or 5-10 larger items.

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