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How much does 3D printing cost in the UK? Electricity and filament
Reference figures in the UK, taken from the same catalog the calculator uses and shown in pounds sterling. Use it to compare, or enter your own values above. Data updated September 2026.
Electricity rates in the UK
Residential electricity in the UK ranges from £0.2536 (East Midlands) to £0.3415 (Northern Ireland (Power NI)) per kWh, taxes included.
Region or rate
Utility
Price per kWh
Source
Great Britain average (price cap)Any supplier (price cap)Ofgem price cap Oct–Dec 2026, average for England, Scotland and Wales, Direct Debit: 26.32p/kWh, 0 % VAT until 31 March 2027. Standing charge (54.83p/day on average) not included.
East MidlandsAny supplier (price cap)Price cap Oct–Dec 2026, Direct Debit: 25.36p/kWh, 0 % VAT until 31 March 2027. Standing charge (51.45p/day) not included.
Any supplier (price cap)
£0.2536
Frequently asked questions about costs in the UK
How much electricity does a 3D printer use per hour in the UK?
At the “South East England” rate of £0.2688/kWh: a Bambu Lab A1 mini (about 80 W) costs £0.022 per hour, a Bambu Lab P1S (about 105 W) costs £0.028 per hour and a Bambu Lab H2D (about 200 W) costs £0.054 per hour. These are average figures while printing; preheating draws more, but only for a few minutes.
How do I work out the real cost per kWh from my electricity bill?
On your electricity bill, look for the unit rate (pence per kWh) — that's the cost that grows with every hour you print. The regional values are Ofgem's price cap for a standard variable tariff paid by Direct Debit; if you're on a fixed tariff, enter your own unit rate in pounds (26.32p = £0.2632). The daily standing charge isn't included because it doesn't change when you print.
How much should I charge per gram for 3D printing in the UK?
The filament alone costs £0.015 per gram (PLA at £15.00/kg). On top of that come electricity (about £0.028 per hour on a Bambu Lab P1S), your time, packaging, failed prints and your profit, so a flat per-gram price rarely covers everything. Enter the part in the calculator to find out what to charge.
What taxes apply when selling 3D prints in the UK?
The standard VAT rate is 20%. Registration is mandatory once your taxable turnover exceeds £90,000 in any 12-month period; below that it's voluntary. This is general information, not tax advice: check your situation with an accountant.
What the electricity for one print costs in the UK
A 3-hour print on a Bambu Lab P1S, which draws about 105 W on average, uses 0.315 kWh. At the “South East England” rate of £0.2688/kWh, the electricity for that print costs £0.085.
105 W × 3 h= 0.315 kWh× £0.2688/kWh= £0.085
At the cheapest rate in the table it would be £0.080; at the most expensive, £0.108.
For comparison: 50 g of PLA at £15.00/kg costs £0.750, so electricity adds 11% on top of the filament cost.
Eastern EnglandAny supplier (price cap)Price cap Oct–Dec 2026, Direct Debit: 26.61p/kWh, 0 % VAT until 31 March 2027. Standing charge (51.84p/day) not included.
LondonAny supplier (price cap)Price cap Oct–Dec 2026, Direct Debit: 26.60p/kWh, 0 % VAT until 31 March 2027. Standing charge (42.92p/day) not included.
Merseyside and North WalesAny supplier (price cap)Price cap Oct–Dec 2026, Direct Debit: 27.86p/kWh, 0 % VAT until 31 March 2027. Standing charge (67.66p/day) not included.
North East EnglandAny supplier (price cap)Price cap Oct–Dec 2026, Direct Debit: 25.46p/kWh, 0 % VAT until 31 March 2027. Standing charge (61.58p/day) not included.
North ScotlandAny supplier (price cap)Price cap Oct–Dec 2026, Direct Debit: 26.35p/kWh, 0 % VAT until 31 March 2027. Standing charge (55.14p/day) not included.
North West EnglandAny supplier (price cap)Price cap Oct–Dec 2026, Direct Debit: 26.49p/kWh, 0 % VAT until 31 March 2027. Standing charge (45.68p/day) not included.
South East EnglandAny supplier (price cap)Price cap Oct–Dec 2026, Direct Debit: 26.88p/kWh, 0 % VAT until 31 March 2027. Standing charge (52.32p/day) not included.
South ScotlandAny supplier (price cap)Price cap Oct–Dec 2026, Direct Debit: 26.11p/kWh, 0 % VAT until 31 March 2027. Standing charge (61.41p/day) not included.
South WalesAny supplier (price cap)Price cap Oct–Dec 2026, Direct Debit: 26.55p/kWh, 0 % VAT until 31 March 2027. Standing charge (55.41p/day) not included.
South West EnglandAny supplier (price cap)Price cap Oct–Dec 2026, Direct Debit: 26.58p/kWh, 0 % VAT until 31 March 2027. Standing charge (55.58p/day) not included.
Southern EnglandAny supplier (price cap)Price cap Oct–Dec 2026, Direct Debit: 26.47p/kWh, 0 % VAT until 31 March 2027. Standing charge (47.81p/day) not included.
West MidlandsAny supplier (price cap)Price cap Oct–Dec 2026, Direct Debit: 25.60p/kWh, 0 % VAT until 31 March 2027. Standing charge (57.23p/day) not included.
YorkshireAny supplier (price cap)Price cap Oct–Dec 2026, Direct Debit: 25.60p/kWh, 0 % VAT until 31 March 2027. Standing charge (61.67p/day) not included.
Northern Ireland (Power NI)Power NINo price cap in Northern Ireland. Power NI regulated domestic tariff from 1 July 2026: 32.52p/kWh + 5 % VAT (the temporary 0 % VAT applies only in Great Britain). Direct Debit / keypad discounts not applied.
