How the cost is calculated
cost per hour = watts ÷ 1000 × price per kWhcost per print = cost per hour × print hourscost per month = cost per hour × hours per week × 4.35Worked example
A printer averages 120 W and prints 20 hours a week. Electricity costs $0.17 per kWh.
| Period | Energy | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 1 hour | 0.12 kWh | $0.02 |
| A 6-hour print | 0.72 kWh | $0.12 |
| 1 month | 10.4 kWh | $1.77 |
| 1 year | 125 kWh | $21.29 |
At €0.30 per kWh, a common price in Germany, the same printing costs about €3.13 a month.
How to lower the electricity cost
- Print several parts in one job, so the bed heats up once instead of several times.
- Use the lowest bed temperature that still gives good adhesion.
- Switch the printer off when it is idle for long periods.
- For long ABS or ASA prints, an enclosure keeps heat in and the heaters work less.
Frequently asked questions
How much electricity does a 3D printer use?
Many desktop FDM printers average roughly 80 to 150 W while printing PLA. A heated chamber, a large bed or high bed temperatures for ABS and ASA push it higher. The rating on the power supply, such as 350 W, is the maximum, not the average.
How much does it cost to run a 3D printer per hour?
Multiply the average power in kilowatts by your price per kWh. A printer drawing 120 W uses 0.12 kWh per hour, which costs about 2 cents at $0.17 per kWh and about 4 cents at €0.30 per kWh.
Why does my printer use more power at the start?
Heating the bed and the hotend takes the most energy. Once they reach temperature, the printer only tops up the heat, so the average over a long print is much lower than the peak.
How do I measure my printer's real power use?
Plug the printer into a plug-in energy meter or a smart plug with energy monitoring, run a full print, and divide the kWh it shows by the print hours. That gives you your exact average.
Is electricity a big part of the cost of a print?
Usually not. For a typical PLA print it is a few percent of the filament cost. It matters more for long prints, enclosed printers and where electricity is expensive.
Last updated: October 28, 2026
