How much does PLA shrink?

PLA has very low shrinkage, typically 0.2-0.4%. On a 100mm part, this is only 0.2-0.4mm. For most applications this is negligible, but for precision fits and large parts it becomes significant.

Why does ABS shrink so much?

ABS has a high coefficient of thermal expansion and crystallises as it cools, causing 0.5-1.0% shrinkage. This is why ABS is prone to warping. An enclosed heated chamber reduces uneven shrinkage.

Should I compensate in the slicer or CAD?

For uniform shrinkage compensation, use the slicer scale function (set to the scale factor percentage). For non-uniform compensation (different shrinkage in XY vs Z), adjust dimensions in your CAD software.

Does infill affect shrinkage?

Yes, higher infill generally reduces shrinkage because there is more material resisting the contraction forces. 100% infill has the least shrinkage, while 10% infill may shrink 20-50% more than the values listed.

Is shrinkage the same in all directions?

Not exactly. XY shrinkage is usually similar, but Z shrinkage can differ because layers are compressed by the weight above. For most materials, the difference is small (under 0.1%) but for precision parts, test in each axis.

3DPrintCalcs

Shrinkage Calculator — Compensate for Material Shrinkage

Compensate for material shrinkage by scaling your model dimensions.

Target X

Target Y

Target Z

Material

How We Calculate This

Shrinkage Compensation Formulas

Scale factor = 100 / (100 - Shrinkage%)
Design dimension = Target dimension x Scale factor
Total expansion = Sum of (Design - Target) for all axes

The scale factor compensates by making the model slightly larger so that after shrinkage, the final dimensions match your target. For example, with 0.8% shrinkage, the scale factor is 100/99.2 = 1.00806.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Calculators

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Last updated: February 2026

All calculations are estimates. Always verify settings with test prints before committing to final prints.