What is Layer Height in 3D Printing?
Common layer heights
| Layer height | Use | Speed |
|---|---|---|
| 0.08 mm | Miniatures, fine detail | Slowest |
| 0.1 mm | Display pieces, curves | Slow |
| 0.12 mm | Quality general use | Slower than default |
| 0.15 mm | Quality default for some users | Medium |
| 0.2 mm | Everyday default | Standard |
| 0.24 mm | Functional fast | Faster |
| 0.28 to 0.3 mm | Big chunky prints | Fastest practical |
How layer height interacts with nozzle size
Layer height should be at most 75 percent of the nozzle diameter. For a 0.4 mm nozzle, that means max 0.3 mm layers. For a 0.6 mm nozzle, max 0.45 mm. Larger nozzles let you use thicker layers safely.
What changes with layer height
- Surface finish: thinner = smoother
- Print time: thinner = longer (roughly inverse)
- Strength: thinner = slightly weaker per layer but more layers fuse
- Overhang quality: thinner usually overhangs cleaner