Learn why price per kilogram is the easiest way to compare 3D printer filament deals across different spool sizes.
Short answer: divide the selected pack’s price by its total net filament weight in kilograms. Display the result to two decimal places. Use that unit price to compare equal materials, then compare the full first-order cost separately; a lower price/kg can still require more cash at checkout.
One formula across the guide and product list
Price/kg = pack price ÷ total net filament kg. Net weight excludes the spool and packaging. Calculate from price and weight before rounding; do not reuse an already rounded supplier unit price. An offer without a valid price or net weight has no comparable price/kg.
Illustrative arithmetic, not current offers. Examples checked September 10, 2026.
On small screens, scroll the table sideways to compare all columns.
| Pack price | Total net filament | Displayed price/kg | Upfront pack cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| $16.00 | 1 kg | $16.00/kg | $16.00 |
| $12.00 | 500 g = 0.5 kg | $24.00/kg | $12.00 |
| $16.99 | 2 × 1 kg = 2 kg | $8.50/kg | $16.99 |
| $39.98 | 5 kg | $8.00/kg | $39.98 |
First-order cost includes what you need to use the pack
First-order cost = pack price + shipping + tax + required spool or adapter/accessories − discounts available to you. For example, a hypothetical $16.99 refill pack plus a required $6.00 reusable spool costs $22.99 before shipping and tax. The $8.50/kg material price for a 2 kg pack does not include that spool. If you already own a suitable spool, do not add its cost again.
Follow the five-step selection sequence
- Identify the printer and feeder model. AMS, AMS lite, AMS 2 Pro and AMS HT have different requirements; printer, nozzle and firmware support must also be checked.
- Confirm 1.75 mm on the selected variant for these four Bambu feeders. A 2.85 mm variant is not a substitute.
- Check the package and physical spool: total net filament weight, number of spools, width, diameter, hub fit and whether a reusable spool is included. A refill is not a complete spool.
- Compare price/kg and first-order cost separately. Add shipping, tax and any required reusable spool, adapter or other setup accessory; subtract only discounts you can actually use.
- Open the merchant listing and reselect the exact material, diameter, color, pack count and spool/refill option. Confirm seller, stock, shipping and checkout total before paying.
Lowest price/kg among the matching PLA offers in our snapshot (including PLA+); pack prices and weights vary.
Price snapshot as of Oct 16, 2026. Unit price = pack price / total net filament kg, rounded to two decimals. Shipping, tax, and any required spool or adapter are additional. Prices may have changed — always verify on the retailer's site before buying. Compare all filaments →
Scope, sources and dates
The formula and examples are our arithmetic, reviewed September 10, 2026. Product amounts come from retailer snapshots with the date shown below each table; they are not checkout quotes. Compare the same selected variant and snapshot before interpreting a difference between pages. Listings may change after a snapshot, and conditional discounts are not guaranteed.
Continue your comparison
Next step: The comparison table normalizes filament prices so you can compare deals more fairly.
Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Data disclaimer:Prices and availability may change. Always verify the final price on the retailer’s site before purchasing.