Calculate it
How it works
The weight on the scale minus the weight of an empty spool is the amount of filament that is left. We calculate the length from the density of the material and a diameter of 1.75 mm.
- Weigh an empty spool of the same brand: that gives the most accurate result. Empty spools often differ by tens of grams.
- Not sure? Pick a slightly higher empty weight, so your estimate errs on the safe side.
- Long print? Keep a margin of 5 to 10 percent, so a failed first layer is not a problem.
Metres of filament per kilo (1.75 mm)
| Material | Density (g/cm³) | Approx. metres per kg |
|---|---|---|
| PLA | 1.24 | 335 m |
| PETG | 1.27 | 327 m |
| ABS | 1.04 | 400 m |
| ASA | 1.07 | 389 m |
| TPU | 1.21 | 344 m |
| Nylon | 1.14 | 365 m |
| PC | 1.2 | 346 m |
Guide values; density varies by brand and by colour.
Useful for this
- Digital kitchen scale (accurate to 1 gram) on Amazon.nl (affiliate link)
- The best filament dryer: a half-used spool that has been left out for a long time absorbs moisture.
- How many prints do you get from 1 kg of filament?
Frequently asked questions
How do I know how much filament is left on my spool?
Put the spool on a kitchen scale and subtract the weight of an empty spool. What is left is the filament in grams. Ideally, weigh an empty spool of the same brand, because empty spools vary a lot in weight.
How much does an empty filament spool weigh?
That depends on the brand and on what the spool is made of. Cardboard spools are usually lighter than plastic ones; roughly count on 100 to 300 grams. Don't throw away an empty spool of your usual brand: weigh it once and use that value from then on.
How many metres of filament are on a 1 kg spool?
For 1.75 mm PLA, about 335 metres. Lighter materials such as ABS give more metres per kilo (about 400 metres), heavier ones slightly less.
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