How much power does a 3D printer use?
The number on the power supply (often 240–350 W for desktop printers) is the maximum, not what the printer actually uses. The heated bed draws most of the power while warming up, and then the heaters only pulse to hold temperature. Over a whole print, typical desktop FDM printers average roughly 70–200 W. Resin printers usually use less.
What affects energy use
- Bed temperature: ABS at 100 °C costs much more to maintain than PLA at 60 °C.
- Room temperature and drafts: a cold room makes heaters work harder. An enclosure helps.
- Print time: faster printing with the same settings costs less energy per part.
The formula
kWh = average watts ÷ 1000 × hours
cost = kWh × price per kWh
For most hobbyists electricity is a small part of the total cost of a print. See the 3D print cost calculator for the full picture.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a 3D printer for an hour?
At 120 W average and 0.18 per kWh, about 0.02 per hour. Even a 24-hour print usually costs well under one unit of currency in electricity.
Is it expensive to leave a 3D printer on?
Idle with heaters off, most printers draw only a few watts. With the bed held at temperature, idle draw can be similar to printing.