TUNE YOUR SETTINGS · PRINTVELD TOOLS
Volumetric flow
calculator.
Connect line width, layer height and speed. See the flow your settings ask of the hotend, or work back from a chosen flow rate.
Your inputs
EDITABLE EXAMPLESTHE NEXT LAYER
Your estimate
Adjust the examples, then select Calculate.
BEHIND THE NUMBERS
What your hotend is asked to deliver
Flow is the extruded line’s cross-sectional area multiplied by print speed. The rounded-line option models a flattened line with semicircular ends: area = height × (width − height) + π × height² ÷ 4. It requires a line width at least as large as the layer height.
The rectangle option uses width × height as a simpler approximation. This estimates extrusion demand; it does not discover your printer’s maximum flow. Test your hotend and material at your printing temperature. Bridges, ironing and changing slicer line widths need separate consideration.
Further reading: Prusa’s guide to maximum volumetric speed ↗
Flow (mm³/s) = cross-sectional area (mm²) × speed (mm/s)
Speed (mm/s) = chosen flow ÷ cross-sectional area
Useful to know
Is the calculated speed safe for my printer?
It is a geometric estimate, not a tested printer limit. Flow capacity, motion limits, cooling, material and temperature can all limit the usable speed.
Why do the rounded and rectangle options differ?
A rounded line fills less cross-sectional area than a rectangle with the same overall width and height. Slicer behaviour can also differ by feature and profile.
Does a higher flow mean a faster finished print?
Not necessarily. Travel, acceleration, minimum layer time, geometry and other slicer settings also affect total print time.
NUMBERS START A CONVERSATION.
What worked on your printer?
Bring your settings, results and questions to the PrintVeld forum.