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Retraction Calculator — Distance & Speed

Find starting retraction settings for your extruder type and material.

Select the type

Select the material type

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.
  • Speed multiplier: Scale the recommended speed range up or down for your hotend (e.g. 0.8 for older hotends, 1.2 for high-flow setups).
  • Z-hop offset: Added to your slicer Z-hop height when retracting, reducing nozzle strikes on previously printed features.

Frequently Asked Questions

Last updated: February 2026

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