Resin 3D Printing Calculator
Estimates resin cost and total print time for SLA and MSLA (LCD) 3D printers based on model volume, layer settings, and resin price. Use it before printing to budget materials and schedule jobs.
Last updated: September 2026
Formula below · 2 sources (NIST, Wikipedia) · Updated Sep 2026
Compare with similar
About this calculator
Resin printing has two independent figures: the material consumed and the time spent exposing layers. Material cost = (modelVolume ÷ 1,000) × resinCostPerLiter, converting milliliters to liters. Exposure time = (modelHeight ÷ layerHeight) × exposureTimePerLayer ÷ 60 minutes: the number of layers times the exposure per layer. The calculator reports both, for example '$0.88 of resin, about 20 min of UV exposure'. Real print time is longer, because each layer also needs a lift-and-retract cycle (often 5–10 seconds) and the first few bottom layers use a much longer exposure.
How to use
A model has a volume of 25 ml and is 30 mm tall. Resin costs $35/liter, layer height is 0.05 mm, and exposure time is 2 seconds per layer. Step 1 — Resin cost: (25 / 1000) × 35 = $0.875. Step 2 — Number of layers: 30 / 0.05 = 600 layers. Step 3 — Exposure time: 600 × 2 / 60 = 20 minutes. The calculator shows '$0.88 of resin, about 20 min of UV exposure'. Add the lift time per layer to estimate the full print time.
Frequently asked questions
How much resin does a typical SLA or LCD 3D print use?
Small figurines or jewelry pieces may use as little as 5–15 ml of resin, while a full-size miniature or dental model might use 30–80 ml. Large objects like face shields or prop parts can consume 200 ml or more per print. Hollowing your model in the slicer with drain holes is the most effective way to reduce resin usage — a solid 100 ml print can often be hollowed to 20–30 ml without sacrificing surface quality. Support structures also consume resin and should be factored into volume estimates.
What layer height should I use for resin printing to balance quality and speed?
Standard layer heights for MSLA and SLA printers range from 0.025 mm to 0.1 mm. A 0.05 mm layer height is the most common all-purpose setting, offering a good balance between surface smoothness and print speed. Thinner layers like 0.025 mm produce finer detail for miniatures and dental work but significantly increase print time since more layers are needed. Thicker layers of 0.1 mm print faster and still produce acceptable results for functional parts where fine surface texture is less important.
Why is resin 3D printing more expensive per milliliter than FDM filament?
Photopolymer resins are chemically complex formulations that cure under UV light, requiring specialized monomers, oligomers, and photoinitiators that cost more to produce than the simple thermoplastic pellets used in FDM filament. Standard resins cost roughly $25–$50 per liter, while engineering or castable resins can reach $100–$300 per liter. By comparison, one liter of PLA filament (roughly 800 g) costs $15–$25. Resin also requires safe disposal of wash solvent and uncured resin, adding indirect cost. The tradeoff is significantly higher surface resolution and detail compared to FDM.