Best Ways to Track 3D Printer Filament Usage

Nothing ruins a 3D print like running out of filament halfway through. Yet most of us have no real idea how much material is left on any given spool. Here's a look at the different ways to track filament usage, from simple to sophisticated.

Method 1: Don't Track (The "Eyeball" Approach)

Let's be honest—this is what most people do. Look at the spool, make a guess, hope for the best.

Pros: Zero effort
Cons: You will eventually run out mid-print. Probably on that 18-hour print you really cared about.

The visual approach is particularly unreliable because spool geometry is deceptive. A spool that looks half-full often has far less than 50% remaining—the inner layers hold less material than the outer ones.

Method 2: Slicer Estimates

Every slicer tells you how much filament a print will use. In theory, you could start with a full 1kg spool and subtract each print's usage.

Pros: The data is already there in your slicer
Cons: Slicer estimates aren't exact. Over time, small errors compound. Purge lines, failed prints, and filament changes aren't accounted for.

This method drifts from reality within a few prints. You might think you have 200g left when it's actually 150g.

Method 3: Spreadsheet Tracking

Create a spreadsheet with columns for each spool: brand, color, material, starting weight, current weight. Update it after prints.

Pros: Flexible, free, works exactly how you want
Cons: Requires discipline. Spreadsheets on your computer aren't accessible when you're at the printer. Easy to forget to update.

This works well for methodical people who already track things in spreadsheets. For everyone else, the spreadsheet gets neglected within a few weeks.

Method 4: Weight-Based Tracking with a Scale

This is the most accurate approach: weigh your spool periodically and record the weight. A simple kitchen scale accurate to 1g is all you need.

Pros: Accurate, accounts for waste and failed prints
Cons: You need to actually weigh the spool and record it somewhere

The challenge is making the "record it somewhere" part fast enough that you'll do it. If updating your tracking system takes more than a few seconds, you'll skip it.

Method 5: Smart Filament Scales

Several companies sell scales that sit under your spool holder and connect to software to automatically track filament usage.

Pros: Automated tracking while printing
Cons: Cost ($30-100+ per scale), only tracks the spool currently on the printer, requires software setup

Smart scales work well if you have one printer and mostly print from one spool at a time. For multiple printers or frequent spool changes, you'd need multiple scales and the logistics get complicated.

Method 6: Printer Integration

Some modern printers (like Bambu Lab machines with AMS) track filament usage internally. The printer knows what material is loaded and estimates remaining filament.

Pros: Automatic, integrated into your workflow
Cons: Only works with specific printer ecosystems, estimates can drift, doesn't help with spools in storage

This is great for the spools actively loaded in your printer but doesn't solve the larger problem of tracking your full filament inventory.

Method 7: Dedicated Filament Tracking Apps

Apps specifically designed for filament inventory solve many of the pain points above. The best ones combine:

• Quick identification — Scan a QR code or NFC tag to pull up a spool instantly
• Weight tracking — Log weights quickly without hunting through menus
• Mobile access — Update from your phone while standing at the printer
• Sync across devices — Data available everywhere you need it

Pros: Purpose-built for the task, minimal friction
Cons: Another app to install, may have cost depending on the app

What Actually Works

After experimenting with most of these methods, here's what I've found:

Accuracy comes from weighing. Slicer estimates and guessing don't cut it. If you care about knowing how much filament you have, you need to weigh your spools.

Speed determines whether you'll do it. The best tracking system is one you'll actually use. If it takes more than 10 seconds to update a spool's weight, it won't happen consistently.

Identification matters at scale. With 5 spools, you can remember which is which. With 50, you need labels or tags. QR codes and NFC tags let you scan a spool and immediately see its details without searching through a list.

A Practical System

Based on the above, here's what works:

1. Label every spool with a QR code or NFC tag when you add it to your collection
2. Record the starting weight (full spool) and empty spool weight for that brand
3. Weigh and update after prints, especially for spools that are getting low
4. Set low-stock alerts so you know when to reorder

The key insight: make the update process fast. Scan a code, enter a number, done. That's achievable with a phone app. It's not achievable with a spreadsheet on your desktop computer.

Your future self—the one staring at a failed print because the filament ran out—will thank you for setting up tracking now.