How Many Prints Can You Get From 1 kg of Filament?
A 1 kg spool gives you 1,000 g of filament, so the number of prints is simply 1,000 divided by the weight of one print. Allow about 10% for purge lines, brims and failed prints, and you have a realistic number.
Quick answer: 1 kg of filament makes about 18 phone stands (50 g each), 90 name tags (10 g each) or 6 desk organizers (150 g each), once you allow about 10% for waste. That is about 335 m of 1.75 mm PLA.
Prints per 1 kg spool
"In theory" is 1,000 g divided by the print weight. "Realistic" keeps 10% back for purge lines, brims, test prints and the occasional failure. Filament cost assumes $20 per kilogram.
| Weight | In theory | Realistic | Filament per print | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small keychain | 5 g | 200 | 180 | $0.10 |
| Name tag | 10 g | 100 | 90 | $0.20 |
| Cable clip set | 25 g | 40 | 36 | $0.50 |
| Phone stand | 50 g | 20 | 18 | $1.00 |
| Headphone stand | 100 g | 10 | 9 | $2.00 |
| Desk organizer | 150 g | 6 | 6 | $3.00 |
| Large planter | 250 g | 4 | 3 | $5.00 |
| Large vase | 500 g | 2 | 1 | $10.00 |
Meters per kilogram
The length depends on the density of the material and the filament diameter. Lighter materials give more meters per kilogram.
| Material | 1.75 mm | 2.85 mm |
|---|---|---|
| PLA | 335 m | 126 m |
| PETG | 327 m | 123 m |
| ABS | 400 m | 151 m |
| ASA | 389 m | 147 m |
| TPU | 344 m | 130 m |
The filament cost calculator shows the length and cost per meter for your own spool and material.
Where the waste comes from
- Purge lines and priming: a few grams at the start of every print.
- Brims, rafts and supports: they can add a lot on tricky models. Your slicer includes them in the print weight.
- Failed prints: a print that fails halfway still uses filament.
- Multi-color purge: printers that switch colors flush filament at every change, which can add a lot of waste on multi-color prints.
- The end of the spool: the last few meters are often too short for a full print.
How long does a spool last?
With common settings, many printers use roughly 10 to 40 g of filament per print hour. That means 1 kg lasts about 25 to 100 hours of printing. To find your own rate, divide the weight of a print by its print time; both are shown in your slicer.
Make your filament go further
- Use fewer walls and lower infill on decorative parts that carry no load.
- Orient models to need fewer supports, or use tree supports.
- Print several parts in one job so the purge line is shared.
- Use the end of a spool for small test prints and calibration parts.
- Weigh your spool before a big print with the filament remaining calculator, so you do not run out halfway.
Want to know the full cost of a print, not just the filament? See how much a 3D print costs.
Frequently asked questions
How many prints can I get from 1 kg of PLA?
Divide 1,000 g by the weight of one print. A 50 g phone stand gives 20 prints in theory and about 18 in practice once you allow for purge lines, brims and the odd failed print.
How many meters are on a 1 kg spool?
About 335 m of 1.75 mm PLA, about 327 m of PETG and about 400 m of ABS. Lighter materials give more length per kilogram.
How long does a 1 kg spool last?
Many printers use roughly 10 to 40 g of filament per print hour with common settings, so 1 kg lasts about 25 to 100 hours of printing. How many weeks that is depends on how often you print.
How do I know how much filament a print needs?
Your slicer shows the weight and length after slicing. That is the number to use. Supports and brims are included in it if you have them turned on.
