About this tool
Every filament needs different settings: PLA prints almost by itself at around 200 °C, while PC needs almost 300 °C, a hot bed and an enclosure. The guide shows for eleven common materials the typical ranges for nozzle, bed and part cooling fan, whether an enclosure is needed and how to dry the filament.
It also lists density, glass transition temperature as a hint at heat resistance, how quickly the material absorbs moisture and whether it needs a hardened nozzle. The values are typical manufacturer figures; individual brands differ.
How it works
- Pick a material at the top.
- Read temperatures, fan, enclosure and drying in the detail view.
- Compare the temperatures of all materials in the table below and switch with a click.
Frequently asked questions
Why should I dry filament?
Many plastics absorb water from the air. In the hot end it turns to steam, causing crackling, bubbles, stringing and weak parts. Nylon, PC, TPU and PVA in particular should be dried before printing and stored dry.
What does the glass transition temperature mean?
From this temperature an amorphous plastic becomes soft. That is why PLA deforms at around 55 to 60 °C, for example in a car in the sun. For semi-crystalline materials such as nylon or PP the value says little about heat resistance and is therefore left out.
When do I need a hardened nozzle?
For filaments with carbon or glass fibres, metal or glow-in-the-dark pigments. They wear out a brass nozzle within a few hundred grams. Hardened steel conducts heat less well, so you often print a little hotter.
How much filament is on the spool?
That depends on the density: 1 kg of ABS is considerably longer than 1 kg of PETG. The Filament Calculator calculates length, weight and what is left, the 3D Print Cost Calculator the cost of a print.