Glossary · Setting

3D printing

Layer height

How thick each printed layer is. Thinner layers look finer, but the print takes longer.

Explained in more detail

Common values are 0.1 to 0.3 mm with a 0.4 mm nozzle, and the standard is 0.2 mm. Halving the layer height roughly doubles the print time. The upper limit is about 75 to 80 % of the nozzle diameter. Layer height makes the biggest visible difference on sloped and round surfaces. Many slicers offer adaptive layer heights, which print finely only where needed.

Where does the term come from?

Layer height is the height of a single layer. Layer thickness means the same thing.

In practice

• With a 0.4 mm nozzle: 0.16 mm for visible parts with good appearance, 0.24 to 0.28 mm for functional parts, prototypes and large parts.
• The first layer is often thicker, around 0.2 to 0.3 mm. This compensates for small unevenness and improves adhesion.
• Thicker layers need more volumetric flow: at the same speed, the hotend hits its limit sooner at 0.28 mm than at 0.2 mm.
• With a 0.6 mm nozzle, a layer height of 0.3 to 0.4 mm is quite feasible.

Not to be confused

Not to be confused with line width: layer height is the thickness of a layer, while line width is the width of a single track in the plane.

Frequently asked questions

Which layer height is the best?

For most prints with a 0.4 mm nozzle, 0.2 mm. For figures and fine details, 0.08 to 0.12 mm is suitable, and for large functional parts 0.24 to 0.28 mm.

Does a smaller layer height make the print stronger?

Hardly. Layer height has only a small effect on strength, and more walls, the right printing temperature and a suitable orientation on the bed achieve considerably more.