Infill Pattern Strength & Speed Comparison
Infill is the internal structure of a 3D print. The pattern and density you choose directly affect the part's strength, weight, print time, and material usage. This guide compares the most common infill patterns available in popular slicers like Cura, PrusaSlicer, and OrcaSlicer, helping you pick the right one for your application.
Infill Pattern Comparison
| Pattern | Strength (overall) | Strength (vertical) | Print Speed | Material Usage | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lines / Rectilinear | Low–moderate | Low | Fastest | Low | Non-structural prints, decorative items, quick prototypes |
| Grid | Moderate | Moderate | Fast | Moderate | General purpose, good all-rounder, even strength in X/Y |
| Triangles | High | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Parts needing horizontal strength, load-bearing in all XY directions |
| Honeycomb | High | Moderate–high | Slow | Moderate–high | Structural parts, good strength-to-weight ratio |
| Gyroid | Very high | Very high | Moderate | Moderate | Strongest option, equal strength in all directions (isotropic) |
| Cubic | High | High | Moderate | Moderate | 3D strength, good for parts loaded in all axes |
| Cubic Subdivision | High | High | Moderate–fast | Low–moderate | Large parts where you want support near walls but lighter interior |
| Lightning | Low | Low | Fastest | Very low | Minimal material, only supports top surfaces |
| Concentric | Low–moderate | Low | Fast | Low | Flexible parts (TPU), thin-walled containers |
Infill Density Guide
| Density (%) | Relative Strength | Material vs 100% | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–5% | Very low | ~30% | Display models, decorations (walls provide most strength) |
| 10–15% | Low | ~35–40% | Light-duty prototypes, models, non-structural parts |
| 20–25% | Moderate | ~45–55% | Most common default; good for general parts |
| 30–50% | High | ~55–70% | Functional parts, tools, brackets, mechanical components |
| 60–80% | Very high | ~75–90% | High-stress parts (note: diminishing returns above 50%) |
| 100% | Maximum | 100% | Maximum strength but heaviest and slowest; rarely needed |
Material usage percentages are approximate and depend on part geometry and number of wall/shell lines. Increasing wall count often adds more strength than increasing infill.
Calculate Your Infill
Use our infill calculator to estimate the material and time impact of different settings:
- Infill Calculator — estimate material usage and print time for different infill patterns and densities
Strength comparisons are relative and based on typical test results at 20% infill density. Real-world performance depends on layer adhesion, wall count, print orientation, and material choice. For maximum strength, consider increasing wall/shell count (4+ walls) rather than raising infill above 40%.