Calculate SimplyHow to use
Start with the worked example to understand the inputs, then replace every relevant value with your own figures. Use one currency and consistent units throughout. Add or remove rows where offered; irrelevant conditional fields are disabled and excluded. Select Calculate after editing. Review negative values and any “not determined” result rather than assuming every scenario must be profitable. Download a text summary or print the page for your records.
Formula and assumptions
Batch attempt cost includes filament, printing electricity, machine wear and hands-on labor. Expected good-unit cost divides that attempt cost by units per successful batch times one minus the whole-batch failure probability. This assumes repeated attempts with the same cost and yield, including labor on failed attempts. Markup increases that expected cost; it is not a profit margin percentage. Extra setup break-even counts units needed to cover additional fixed costs only. Do not count the same printer purchase both in depreciation and additional setup cost.
expected unit cost = batch attempt cost / [units × (1−failure probability)]; price = unit cost × (1+markup)
Worked example
Example only: replace rates with your own figures.
Inputs
- Filament cost per kg: 20
- Total batch filament weight: 250 g
- Total batch printing hours: 8
- Saleable units in a successful batch: 5
- Average printer power: 150 W
- Electricity rate per kWh: 0.2
- Machine depreciation and wear per hour: 0.5
- Batch hands-on labor hours: 0.5
- Target hourly labor rate: 15
- Whole-batch failure probability: 10 %
- Markup on expected unit cost: 30 %
- Additional fixed setup cost: 0
- Batch attempt cost: 16.74 USD
- Expected cost per good unit: 3.72 USD
- Price with markup: 4.836 USD
- Unit contribution after modeled costs: 1.116 USD
- Setup break-even units: 0
Frequently asked questions
Are the example rates current market prices?
No. Example inputs demonstrate arithmetic, not live prices, tax rules, salary surveys or sponsor benchmarks. Enter a dated quote, bill, manufacturer specification or verified fee schedule that applies to your situation. Compare a conservative and an optimistic scenario separately.
Why is a result not determined?
Some calculations have no meaningful value when a denominator is zero, savings are non-positive, a target cannot be reached or your data do not bracket an intersection. The tool leaves that result undetermined instead of displaying infinity or inventing a recommendation. Check the method and your inputs.
Sources
Sources explain the underlying concepts, not an endorsement of this website or its results. Method review: 20 October 2026.