Types of 3D printer filament
We list 38 types of filament. PLA, PETG, TPU, ABS and ASA cover most home printing. New to the specs? See what each filament spec means.
- Filament comparison chart Temperatures, toughness, heat and outdoor use side by side
- Best filament for the job Our picks for outdoor parts, car parts, heat and more
All 38 filament types
- PLA Polylactic acid 880 filaments
- PETG Polyethylene terephthalate glycol 276 filaments
- TPU Thermoplastic polyurethane 158 filaments
- ABS Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene 151 filaments
- ASA Acrylonitrile styrene acrylate 109 filaments
- PA6 Nylon 6 (polyamide 6) 69 filaments
- PA12 Nylon 12 (polyamide 12) 50 filaments
- PC Polycarbonate 47 filaments
- PP Polypropylene 28 filaments
- PCTG Polycyclohexylenedimethylene terephthalate glycol 26 filaments
- PVA Polyvinyl alcohol 22 filaments
- PEI Polyetherimide 17 filaments
- PET Polyethylene terephthalate 17 filaments
- HIPS High-impact polystyrene 15 filaments
- TPE Thermoplastic elastomer 13 filaments
- PEEK Polyether ether ketone 12 filaments
- PPA Polyphthalamide 10 filaments
- PPS Polyphenylene sulfide 10 filaments
- CPE Co-polyester 8 filaments
- PEKK Polyetherketoneketone 8 filaments
- PEBA Polyether block amide 6 filaments
- PVB Polyvinyl butyral 6 filaments
- PPSU Polyphenylsulfone 5 filaments
- BVOH Butenediol vinyl alcohol copolymer 4 filaments
- PHA Polyhydroxyalkanoate 4 filaments
- PVDF Polyvinylidene fluoride 4 filaments
- PA11 Nylon 11 (polyamide 11) 3 filaments
- PCL Polycaprolactone 3 filaments
- EVA Ethylene-vinyl acetate 2 filaments
- PPE Polyphenylene ether 2 filaments
- TPC Thermoplastic copolyester 2 filaments
- TPI Thermoplastic polyimide 2 filaments
- PBT Polybutylene terephthalate 1 filament
- PES Polyethersulfone 1 filament
- PMMA Polymethyl methacrylate (acrylic) 1 filament
- POM Polyoxymethylene (acetal) 1 filament
- PSU Polysulfone 1 filament
- PVC Polyvinyl chloride 1 filament
Filament type questions
What are the main types of 3D printer filament?
We list 38 types. The most common are PLA, PETG, TPU, ABS and ASA, which between them cover most home printing. Each has its own page with print temperatures and brands.
Which filament is easiest to print?
PLA scores highest for ease of printing in our ratings: low temperatures, little warping and no enclosure.
Which filament is the toughest?
TPU, PA6, PC and PCTG score highest for toughness in our ratings: the least likely to crack under impacts or bending.
Which filament is most heat resistant?
PC and PEI score highest for heat resistance in our ratings. Expect to need a hot nozzle and an enclosure.
Which filament is best for outdoor use?
ASA scores highest for outdoor and UV resistance in our ratings, staying strong and keeping its colour in sunlight.