3DPrintCalcs
Infill Calculator — Material Usage by Infill %
Estimate material usage and weight for different infill percentages and patterns.
How We Calculate This
Calculation
- Shell weight = Volume x Density x Shell fraction (15%)
- Infill weight = Volume x (1 - Shell fraction) x (Infill% / 100) x Pattern multiplier x Density
- Total weight = Shell + Infill weight
Pattern multipliers reflect how much material each pattern lays down for the same nominal infill percentage relative to grid/lines (1.0x): gyroid and cubic deposit a little more (~1.15-1.2x), while lightning deposits far less (~0.45x) because it only braces the top surfaces. The interior fill fraction is capped at 100% so the result is never heavier than a solid part. These multipliers are advisory approximations — your slicer's exact figure depends on line width and geometry.
Frequently Asked Questions
10-15% for decorative items, 20-25% for general use, 40-60% for functional parts that need strength, 80-100% for maximum strength or watertight parts.
Gyroid and cubic infill provide the best all-round (near-isotropic) strength. Triangles are strong in one axis. Grid is fast but weaker diagonally. Lightning is the lightest pattern — it only braces the top surfaces and typically uses 50-70% less material than grid at the same nominal density, so it is for decorative parts, not load-bearing ones.
No. Strength increases with infill but with diminishing returns. Going from 20% to 40% might increase strength by 30-50%, not 100%. Adding more perimeters is often more effective.
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Last updated: February 2026
All calculations are estimates. Always verify settings with test prints before committing to final prints.