Resin Print Cost Calculator
Resin (SLA/MSLA) printers use photopolymer resin sold in bottles measured in litres or millilitres. Unlike FDM filament priced per kilogram, resin pricing is typically per litre. This calculator takes the volume of resin your slicer estimates for the print (in mL) and multiplies it by the per-litre unit price to give exact material cost. Use it to price commissioned prints, compare resin brands, or estimate batch job costs.
Resin cost formula
Cost ($) = mL used * (Price per litre / 1,000)
Dividing the litre price by 1,000 converts it to a per-mL rate. Multiplying by mL consumed gives the total material cost. For example, 25 mL at $30/L = 25 * 0.030 = $0.75.
Reducing resin consumption
- Hollow the model: most slicer software has a hollow tool. Set wall thickness to 2 to 3 mm and add drain holes.
- Supports use resin: reduce support density and use light supports where possible.
- Orientation affects support volume: orient models to minimise the surface area that requires supports.
- Failed prints waste resin: properly calibrate exposure times before printing expensive materials.
- Resin vat puddle: a thin layer of uncured resin always remains in the vat after printing; account for this in batch cost calculations.
Resin print cost calculator: frequently asked questions
How do I find how many mL of resin a print uses?
Your slicer software (Chitubox, Lychee Slicer, PrusaSlicer) reports estimated resin volume in mL on the print summary screen. Use that figure directly.
What is the typical price per litre for standard resin?
Standard MSLA resins typically cost $20 to $50 per litre. Budget resins from brands like Elegoo or Anycubic often run $20 to $30 per litre, while engineering resins (ABS-like, flexible, high-temp) can exceed $100 per litre.
Does this calculator include IPA wash solvent cost?
No. This calculator covers resin material only. IPA (isopropyl alcohol) wash solvent cost depends on bath volume, resin contamination rate, and replacement frequency, which vary by workflow.
How does hollow printing reduce resin cost?
Hollowing a model in your slicer dramatically reduces resin volume. A solid figurine might use 40 to 80 mL; the same model hollowed with 2 mm walls might use 8 to 15 mL. Always add drain holes when hollowing.
Is resin sold by weight or volume?
Resin is sold by weight (grams or kilograms) but priced and measured in practice by volume (mL or litres) since density varies slightly by brand. Standard resin density is approximately 1.1 g/mL; most slicers report mL used.
Official sources
- ASTM International: ASTM F2792 Standard Terminology for Additive Manufacturing.
- NIST: Measurement Needs for Additive Manufacturing.
Reviewed by the CalculatorHub team, edited by James Graham, 15 June 2026. See our methodology.