Tolerance & Fit Calculator

Calculate expected dimensional tolerance, shrinkage compensation, and recommended clearances for 3D printed parts based on printer type and material.

Inputs

Printer Type

Material

Nominal Dimension

Tab to move between fields

Results

Expected Tolerance (±)

0.31 mm

Shrinkage Amount

0.06 mm

Minimum Dimension19.69 mm

Maximum Dimension20.31 mm

Compensated Design Size20.06 mm

Press Fit Clearance0.16 mm

Sliding Fit Clearance0.47 mm

Loose Fit Clearance0.78 mm

Tolerance Class4 (1=best)

How to Use This Calculator

Select your printer type (FDM or resin SLA/MSLA) and filament or resin material.
Enter the nominal design dimension (mm) that requires a precise fit.
Review expected dimensional tolerance (±mm) and the resulting min/max dimension range.
Use the compensated design size output to adjust your CAD model to achieve the target fit.
Print a test coupon at the compensated size and measure before committing to final parts.

What each input means

Printer Type: Type of 3D printer being used. SLA is most precise, FDM is least precise.
Material: Print material. Different materials have different shrinkage rates as they cool or cure.
Nominal Dimension: The target dimension of the feature you are designing (e.g., hole diameter, peg width).

How this is calculated

Worked example, using the default values

Identify Input Parameters
Printer Type = 1, Material = 1, Nominal Dimension = 20 = 3 input(s) provided
Calculate Expected Tolerance
Expected Tolerance
0.31 = 0.31
Calculate Shrinkage Amount
Shrinkage Amount
0.06 = 0.06
Calculate Minimum Dimension
Minimum Dimension
19.69 = 19.69
Calculate Maximum Dimension
Maximum Dimension
20.31 = 20.31

The questions that sit next to this one — chosen by subject, including calculators filed under a different category.

3D Printing & Manufacturing

Filament Cost Calculator

Calculate the cost of 3D printing a model based on filament weight, spool price, and waste percentage.

3D Printing & Manufacturing

Layer Height Advisor

Get recommended layer height based on your nozzle diameter and desired detail level, with quality and speed tradeoffs.

Plastics

Shrinkage Compensation Calculator

Calculate mold cavity dimensions to compensate for plastic shrinkage in flow, cross-flow, and thickness directions. Assesses warpage risk and tolerance feasibility.

Dental Laboratory