Material Shrinkage Calculator

Compensate for material shrinkage to achieve accurate 3D printed dimensions.

Shrinkage Settings

Material Preset

Shrinkage Rate (%) Typical linear shrinkage percentage for the material

Desired Dimensions

Enter the dimensions you want the final printed part to be after shrinkage.

X Length (mm)

Y Width (mm)

Z Height (mm)

Compensated Dimensions

Scale your model to these dimensions to account for shrinkage

100.30 mm

X (Length)

50.15 mm

Y (Width)

25.08 mm

Z (Height)

100.30%

Scale Factor

Material Shrinkage Reference

Material	Shrinkage (%)	Scale Factor	Warping Risk

Understanding 3D Print Shrinkage

All 3D printed materials shrink as they cool from their extrusion temperature to room temperature. This thermal contraction can cause dimensional inaccuracy if not compensated for.

The Formula

Compensated Size = Desired Size ÷ (1 - Shrinkage Rate)

Factors That Affect Shrinkage

Material type: Amorphous plastics (PLA, PETG) shrink less; semi-crystalline (Nylon, PP) shrink more.
Print temperature: Higher temperatures generally mean more shrinkage.
Cooling rate: Slower cooling (enclosed printer) can reduce warping but may not reduce total shrinkage.
Infill percentage: Higher infill can resist shrinkage forces but also retains more heat.
Part geometry: Long, thin parts are more prone to visible shrinkage/warping.

Tips for Dimensional Accuracy

Print a calibration cube and measure it to determine your actual shrinkage
Use an enclosed printer for high-shrinkage materials (ABS, ASA, Nylon, PC)
Apply the scale factor in your slicer or CAD software
For critical dimensions, print test fits before the final part

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