PETG vs PCTG
How PETG and PCTG compare, from typical settings across every filament we list.
Short answer
PCTG is a tougher, often clearer alternative to PETG that prints in much the same way. Choose PCTG for parts that crack from impacts or for transparent prints; choose PETG for everyday functional parts, where it is good enough and cheaper.
- PCTG is tougher.
- PCTG typically prints about 10 °C hotter at the nozzle.
- PETG and PCTG print at about the same temperature on the bed.
- PCTG is less dense, so a 1 kg spool holds about 11 m more 1.75 mm filament.
- There are 276 PETG filaments in 2,348 colours, and 26 PCTG filaments in 151 colours.
At a glance
Our rating, out of 5| PETG | PCTG | |
|---|---|---|
| Ease of printing | ||
| Toughness | Tougher | |
| Stiffness | ||
| Heat resistance | ||
| Outdoor and UV | ||
| Flexibility | ||
| Setup | No enclosure or special setup needed | No enclosure or special setup needed |
| PETG | PCTG | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Polyethylene terephthalate glycol | Polycyclohexylenedimethylene terephthalate glycol |
| Filaments listed | 276 | 26 |
| Brands | 103 | 13 |
| Colours | 2,348 | 151 |
| Nozzle temperature | 220–250 °C | 230–260 °C |
| Bed temperature | 70–90 °C | 70–90 °C |
| Density | 1.27 g/cm³ | 1.23 g/cm³ |
| Length of 1 kg (1.75 mm) | about 327 m | about 338 m |
| Max drying temperature | 65 °C | – |
Temperatures are medians across each material's filaments, rounded to 5 °C. Always check the maker's settings for a specific filament.
Brands that make both
12 brands make both PETG and PCTG.
- Spectrum 18 PETG · 5 PCTG
- Fiberlogy 9 PETG · 4 PCTG
- ROSA3D Filaments 10 PETG · 3 PCTG
- FormFutura 7 PETG · 4 PCTG
- Nobufil 4 PETG · 2 PCTG
- 3DJAKE 4 PETG · 1 PCTG
- 3DXTech 4 PETG · 1 PCTG
- CC3D 3 PETG · 1 PCTG
- extrudr 2 PETG · 1 PCTG
- Push Plastic 2 PETG · 1 PCTG
- 3D Fuel 1 PETG · 1 PCTG
- AzureFilm 1 PETG · 1 PCTG
PETG vs PCTG questions
Is PCTG stronger than PETG?
It is tougher: PCTG survives impacts and drops better. Heat resistance is about the same, at around 70–80 °C.
Is PCTG harder to print than PETG?
Not much. It usually prints a little hotter, but the same tips apply: moderate cooling, tuned retraction and a textured or glue-coated bed. Neither needs an enclosure.
Which is clearer?
PCTG. Clear PCTG can print noticeably more transparent than clear PETG, which makes it good for covers and light diffusers.
Is PCTG worth the extra cost?
If your PETG parts crack, or you want clearer prints, yes. Otherwise PETG does the job for less.