Polycarbonate (PC) filament cost per gram and length per kg
Polycarbonate (PC) filament costs your spool price divided by the spool's net grams, per gram: a 1 kg spool at price P costs P ÷ 1000 per gram. With a typical density of 1.2 g/cm³, 1.75 mm Polycarbonate (PC) weighs 2.89 g per metre, so 1 kg is about 346 m.
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| Weight | Length at 1.75 mm | Length at 2.85 mm |
|---|---|---|
| 10 g | 3.5 m | 1.3 m |
| 50 g | 17.3 m | 6.5 m |
| 100 g | 34.6 m | 13.1 m |
| 250 g | 86.6 m | 32.7 m |
| 500 g | 173.2 m | 65.3 m |
| 750 g | 259.8 m | 98.0 m |
| 1000 g | 346.5 m | 130.6 m |
| Step | Formula | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Spool price (example input) | your price | 20.00 per 1000 g spool |
| Cost per gram | price ÷ grams | 20.00 ÷ 1000 = 0.020 |
| Print weight (example input) | from your slicer | 45 g |
| Material cost of the print | grams × cost per gram | 45 × 0.020 = 0.90 |
| Filament used (1.75 mm) | grams ÷ g/m | 45 ÷ 2.89 = 15.6 m |
| Material | Density | g/m (1.75 mm) | m per kg (1.75 mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| PLA | 1.24 g/cm³ | 2.98 | 335 |
| PETG | 1.27 g/cm³ | 3.05 | 327 |
| ABS | 1.04 g/cm³ | 2.50 | 400 |
| ASA | 1.07 g/cm³ | 2.57 | 389 |
| TPU | 1.21 g/cm³ | 2.91 | 344 |
| Nylon (PA) | 1.14 g/cm³ | 2.74 | 365 |
| Polycarbonate (PC) (this page) | 1.2 g/cm³ | 2.89 | 346 |
| HIPS | 1.04 g/cm³ | 2.50 | 400 |
| PVA | 1.23 g/cm³ | 2.96 | 338 |
| Carbon-fibre PLA | 1.3 g/cm³ | 3.13 | 320 |
| Wood-fill PLA | 1.28 g/cm³ | 3.08 | 325 |
Practical notes
Use the spool's net filament weight, not the gross weight: an empty spool typically weighs a couple of hundred grams, and the label usually states the net weight. Cost per gram = what you paid ÷ net grams; for a 750 g spool that is price ÷ 750.
Slicers (Cura, PrusaSlicer, OrcaSlicer, Bambu Studio) report filament use in grams and metres and can show cost once you enter your price per kg and the material density (1.2 g/cm³ for Polycarbonate (PC)).
Polycarbonate is strong and heat-resistant (glass transition around 110–150 °C depending on grade) but needs high nozzle and bed temperatures and an enclosure.
Material is only part of the cost of a printed part: machine time, electricity, failed prints, post-processing and support material add to it. For a quote on a finished part, compare that total with what makers ask.
FAQ
How do I calculate Polycarbonate (PC) filament cost per gram?
Divide what you paid for the spool by its net weight in grams. A 1 kg spool costs its price ÷ 1000 per gram; a 750 g spool costs its price ÷ 750 per gram.
How many metres are in 1 kg of Polycarbonate (PC)?
About 346 m of 1.75 mm filament and 131 m of 2.85 mm, using a typical density of 1.2 g/cm³. Brands differ slightly.
How much does 1 metre of Polycarbonate (PC) weigh?
2.89 g for 1.75 mm and 7.66 g for 2.85 mm (π × (d/2)² × density).
How do I work out the material cost of a print?
Take the filament weight your slicer reports and multiply by your cost per gram. Example input only: a 45 g print from a spool costing 20.00 per kg uses 0.90 of material.
Sources: Typical densities from filament manufacturers' technical data sheets (ISO 1183 / ASTM D792 test methods) · Formulas: grams per metre = π (d/2)² × ρ; cost per gram = spool price ÷ net grams
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