Glossary · Failure pattern

3D printing

Elephant's foot

The bottom layer of a print bulges outwards and is wider than the rest. Parts then often do not fit together exactly.

Explained in more detail

It occurs when the first layer is squashed too much (Z offset too low) or the bed is too hot, so that the lower layers give way under the weight. Countermeasures: raise the Z offset slightly, lower the bed temperature, enable elephant's foot compensation in the slicer (typically 0.1 to 0.2 mm) or add a small chamfer to the bottom edge in the design.

Where does the term come from?

Translated from the English "elephant's foot". The lower edge, swollen outwards, recalls the broad foot of an elephant.

In practice

• An elephant's foot is even all the way round. If the lip protrudes on one side only, the problem is more likely with levelling.
• Raise the Z offset in steps of about 0.02 mm until the lines touch but do not fuse into a glossy film.
• For PLA, a bed temperature of 55 to 60 °C is enough, and from 70 °C an elephant's foot is almost certain.
• Check whether the profile uses increased flow for the first layer, and reduce it back to 100%.
• For your own models, plan a chamfer of about 0.5 mm at 45 degrees on the bottom edge.

Not to be confused

Not to be confused with warping, where corners lift from the bed. With elephant's foot everything adheres well; only the bottom layer is too wide.

Frequently asked questions

How do I set the elephant's foot compensation?

A starting value of 0.1 to 0.2 mm suits most prints with a 0.4 mm nozzle. Too much compensation can make fine structures in the first layer disappear.

Is a small elephant's foot normal?

Yes, a little is normal with almost every print, because the first layer is deliberately pressed down. It becomes a problem with fits, for example when lids jam.