Nozzle and layer height reference

Which layer heights and extrusion widths are reasonable for each nozzle diameter, and how much print time changes when you move them.

Updated July 27, 2026

Inputs

Nozzle diametermm

0.4 mm ships as standard on almost every FDM printer.

Layer height you want to usemm

Optional: we compare it against the range and tell you if it is sane.

Result

Sane range: 0.1 mm – 0.3 mm
Recommended height: 0.2 mm
First layer: 0.3 mm
Extrusion width: 0.45 mm
Width range: 0.4 mm – 0.6 mm
Hard adhesion limit: 0.32 mm

Full table by diameter

Full table by diameter
Nozzle	Min layer	Rec. layer	Max layer	Hard limit	First layer	Width
0.2 mm	0.05 mm	0.1 mm	0.15 mm	0.16 mm	0.15 mm	0.225 mm
0.25 mm	0.063 mm	0.125 mm	0.188 mm	0.2 mm	0.188 mm	0.281 mm
0.3 mm	0.075 mm	0.15 mm	0.225 mm	0.24 mm	0.225 mm	0.337 mm
0.4 mm	0.1 mm	0.2 mm	0.3 mm	0.32 mm	0.3 mm	0.45 mm
0.5 mm	0.125 mm	0.25 mm	0.375 mm	0.4 mm	0.375 mm	0.563 mm
0.6 mm	0.15 mm	0.3 mm	0.45 mm	0.48 mm	0.45 mm	0.675 mm
0.8 mm	0.2 mm	0.4 mm	0.6 mm	0.64 mm	0.6 mm	0.9 mm
1 mm	0.25 mm	0.5 mm	0.75 mm	0.8 mm	0.75 mm	1.125 mm

Formula

alturaCapa_mín = 0.25 × diámetroBoquilla
alturaCapa_máx = 0.75 × diámetroBoquilla
alturaCapa_recomendada = 0.5 × diámetroBoquilla
primeraCapa = 0.75 × diámetroBoquilla
anchoExtrusión = 1.125 × diámetroBoquilla
anchoExtrusión_rango = 1× a 1.5× el diámetro
límite absoluto de adherencia = 0.8 × diámetroBoquilla

Assumptions

The 25 % to 75 % of nozzle diameter range is the most widespread rule of thumb in FDM: below 25 % the extruder loses flow control and print time explodes; above 75 % the layer stops squashing against the one below.
A thick first layer (75 % of diameter) is suggested because it forgives an imperfect bed and improves adhesion.
Default extrusion width is 1.125 × diameter, matching the stock profiles of the most common slicers (0.45 mm with a 0.4 mm nozzle).
All values are rounded to 0.001 mm, the resolution slicers accept.
Applies to filament printing (FDM/FFF) only.

Limitations

The hard ceiling is ~80 % of diameter. Above that, material does not bond well to the previous layer and parts delaminate, even if your slicer lets you set it.
Your machine's Z resolution quantises layer height (leadscrew pitch and motor microsteps). Your slicer may round whatever you enter.
Does not account for adaptive layer height, high-flow nozzles (Volcano, CHT) or high-flow hotends, which allow greater widths and heights than this table suggests.
Optimal extrusion width also depends on material, speed and hotend maximum flow; this table only gives the geometric starting point.
Does not apply to resin printers: there is no nozzle and layer height is set by exposure, not geometry.

Indicative estimate. Real consumption depends on your slicer, your machine and your settings.

How it is calculated

Formula

altura_de_capa_recomendada = 0.25 a 0.75 × diámetro_de_boquilla (máximo práctico habitual 0.8 × diámetro)   ·   ancho_de_extrusión ≈ 1.0 a 1.2 × diámetro_de_boquilla   ·   caudal_mm3_s = ancho_de_extrusión × altura_de_capa × velocidad_mm_s   ·   factor_de_tiempo ≈ altura_de_capa_original / altura_de_capa_nueva (a igual velocidad, el tiempo escala de forma aproximadamente inversa a la altura de capa).

Assumptions

The 0.25–0.75 × diameter rule is a slicer convention, not a standard: a starting point, not a physical limit.
The computed flow must stay below the maximum your hotend can melt; that maximum depends on the machine and the material.
The time factor assumes speed, acceleration and cooling are unchanged.
A standard nozzle is assumed; high-flow nozzles change the maximum flow rate, not the geometry.

Limitations

Real time does not scale exactly inversely with layer height: travel moves and acceleration do not change with it.
It does not know whether your nozzle is brass, hardened steel or coated, which decides whether you can run abrasive materials.
It does not cover variable or adaptive layer heights, which many slicers compute from geometry.
Visible quality depends on cooling and flow calibration as much as on layer height.