Retraction pulls filament back when the nozzle travels between print areas, preventing oozing and stringing. The right settings depend on your extruder type and material.

Why does Bowden need more retraction than direct drive?

Bowden tubes are long and flexible, creating slack in the filament path. More retraction distance is needed to overcome this play and actually pull filament back from the nozzle.

How do I tune retraction?

Print a retraction tower test. Vary distance in 0.5mm increments. Once stringing stops, reduce speed until you find the minimum speed that still works. Lower values reduce wear on filament.

3DPrintCalcs

Retraction Calculator — Distance & Speed

Find starting retraction settings for your extruder type and material.

Extruder Type

Material

How We Calculate This

Recommended Settings

Settings are based on community-tested starting values for each extruder and material combination. These are starting points — fine-tune with retraction towers for your specific setup.

Direct drive: Short retraction (0.5-3mm) due to minimal filament path.
Bowden: Longer retraction (3-8mm) to compensate for tube compliance.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Last updated: February 2026

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