How much does it cost to run a 3D printer?
A 3D printer costs about 2.2¢ per hour, 5.7¢ a day, $1.74 a month and $21 a year at typical use (4 hours a day, 3 days a week) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. FDM printers draw 300+ W while the bed heats, then average 80-150 W printing PLA. A 4-hour print uses about 0.5 kWh.
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Cost by setting
| Setting | Watts | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Resin printer | 50 | 0.9¢ | 3.5¢ | $1.08 | $13 |
| FDM PLA | 120 | 2.2¢ | 5.7¢ | $1.74 | $21 |
| FDM ABS / enclosed heated | 250 | 4.5¢ | 9.7¢ | $2.96 | $35 |
At 4 hours a day, 3 days a week and 17.99¢/kWh.
Cost by hours of use
| Hours per day | kWh/day | Per day | Per month | Per year (all year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 hour | 0.17 | 3.0¢ | $0.93 | $11 |
| 2 hours | 0.22 | 3.9¢ | $1.20 | $14 |
| 4 hours | 0.32 | 5.7¢ | $1.74 | $21 |
| 8 hours | 0.51 | 9.3¢ | $2.82 | $34 |
| 12 hours | 0.71 | 13¢ | $3.90 | $47 |
| 24 hours | 1.30 | 23¢ | $7.13 | $86 |
Cost to run a 3D printer in every state
The same 3D printer costs $14 a year in North Dakota and $50 in Hawaii, at each state's average residential rate (12 months ending July 2026).
| State | Rate | Per hour | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | 12.32¢ | 1.5¢ | $1.19 | $14 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | 1.5¢ | $1.22 | $15 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | 1.5¢ | $1.24 | $15 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | 1.6¢ | $1.25 | $15 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | 1.6¢ | $1.29 | $15 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | 1.6¢ | $1.29 | $15 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | 1.6¢ | $1.30 | $16 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | 1.6¢ | $1.31 | $16 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | 1.6¢ | $1.32 | $16 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | 1.7¢ | $1.34 | $16 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | 1.7¢ | $1.34 | $16 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | 1.7¢ | $1.35 | $16 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | 1.7¢ | $1.35 | $16 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | 1.7¢ | $1.36 | $16 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | 1.7¢ | $1.36 | $16 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | 1.7¢ | $1.37 | $16 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | 1.8¢ | $1.43 | $17 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | 1.8¢ | $1.43 | $17 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | 1.8¢ | $1.46 | $17 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | 1.8¢ | $1.46 | $18 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | 1.8¢ | $1.48 | $18 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | 1.8¢ | $1.49 | $18 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | 1.8¢ | $1.49 | $18 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | 1.9¢ | $1.49 | $18 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | 1.9¢ | $1.50 | $18 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | 1.9¢ | $1.51 | $18 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | 1.9¢ | $1.54 | $18 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | 1.9¢ | $1.57 | $19 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | 2.0¢ | $1.59 | $19 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | 2.0¢ | $1.59 | $19 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | 2.0¢ | $1.60 | $19 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | 2.0¢ | $1.64 | $20 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | 2.1¢ | $1.72 | $21 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | 2.2¢ | $1.76 | $21 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | 2.2¢ | $1.81 | $22 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | 2.3¢ | $1.81 | $22 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | 2.5¢ | $2.00 | $24 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | 2.5¢ | $2.03 | $24 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | 2.5¢ | $2.03 | $24 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | 2.9¢ | $2.30 | $28 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | 2.9¢ | $2.30 | $28 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | 2.9¢ | $2.34 | $28 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | 3.2¢ | $2.57 | $31 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | 3.2¢ | $2.59 | $31 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | 3.4¢ | $2.70 | $32 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | 3.4¢ | $2.74 | $33 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | 3.5¢ | $2.83 | $34 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | 3.5¢ | $2.83 | $34 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | 3.7¢ | $2.94 | $35 |
| California | 32.99¢ | 4.0¢ | $3.18 | $38 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | 5.2¢ | $4.20 | $50 |
How to cut the cost
- Print PLA at 55-60°C bed instead of higher; the heated bed is the biggest load.
- Add an enclosure or bed insulation pad to cut heater cycling 20-30%.
- Turn off the printer after the job finishes; idle standby with display on is 5-10 W.
- Batch several parts per plate to heat the bed once.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Reduces heat loss from the underside of the bed, lowering average draw.
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Compare with similar appliances
| Appliance | Watts | Typical use | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3D printer | 120 | 4 hours a day, 3 days a week | $1.74 | $21 |
| Desktop computer | 90 | 6 hours a day | $3.15 | $38 |
| Laser printer | 500 | 6 minutes a day, 5 days a week | $0.46 | $5 |
| Paper shredder | 200 | 6 minutes a day, 2 days a week | $0.10 | $1 |
| Starlink | 55 | 24 hours a day | $7.23 | $87 |
| NAS | 35 | 24 hours a day | $4.60 | $55 |
| Mesh Wi-Fi system | 24 | 24 hours a day | $3.15 | $38 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a 3D printer per hour?
A 3D printer drawing 120 watts uses 0.12 kWh per hour. At the U.S. average of 17.99¢/kWh that's 2.2¢ per hour. In North Dakota (12.32¢) it's 1.5¢. In Hawaii (43.51¢) it's 5.2¢.
How much does it cost to run a 3D printer per month?
At typical use (4 hours a day, 3 days a week), a 3D printer costs about $1.74 a month and $21 a year, at the U.S. average rate. Enter your ZIP in the calculator above for your utility's rate.
How many watts does a 3D printer use?
Most 3D printers use 50 to 350 watts, depending on the setting (resin printer 50 W, fdm pla 120 W, fdm abs / enclosed heated 250 W). Plugged in but off, it still draws about 5 W of standby power. Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does a 3D printer use?
About 0.32 kWh a day and 116 kWh a year at typical use (4 hours a day, 3 days a week).
Does a 3D printer use a lot of electricity?
No. At about 116 kWh a year it's a small share (1.1%) of the average U.S. home's 10,492 kWh.
Is it cheaper to run a 3D printer or a desktop computer?
At typical use, a 3D printer costs about $21 a year versus $38 for a desktop computer. So the 3D printer is cheaper by about $17 a year. Use the comparison table above to compare them at your own settings.
How can I lower the cost of running a 3D printer?
- Print PLA at 55-60°C bed instead of higher; the heated bed is the biggest load.
- Add an enclosure or bed insulation pad to cut heater cycling 20-30%.
- Turn off the printer after the job finishes; idle standby with display on is 5-10 W.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.