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PETG filament

Polyethylene terephthalate glycol

PETG is the natural step up from PLA for practical parts. It is tougher, more heat resistant and better outdoors, yet still prints without an enclosure on almost any printer, which makes it the go-to material for functional prints that need to last.

276 PETG filaments from 103 brands, in 2,348 colours.

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At a glance

Our rating
Ease of printing
Toughness
Stiffness
Heat resistance
Outdoor and UV
Flexibility
  • No enclosure or special setup needed

Typical settings

Median values across all PETG filaments. Always check the maker's recommendations for a specific filament.

Nozzle
220–250 °C
Bed
70–90 °C
Density
1.27 g/cm³
Max drying temperature
65 °C

Diameters: 1.75 mm (2,347 colours), 2.85 mm (187 colours)

Colours

Popular PETG filaments

Browse all 276

Top PETG brands

About PETG

Properties

  • Tough and slightly flexible: it bends before it breaks, so it handles knocks and clips better than PLA.
  • Better heat resistance than PLA, softening at around 70–80 °C.
  • Good chemical and water resistance, and it copes well with UV for outdoor use.
  • Glossy finish, and many translucent colours print almost clear.
  • Layers bond very strongly, which also means supports can be harder to remove.

Good for

  • Brackets, mounts, enclosures and other functional parts
  • Outdoor parts such as garden fittings and weatherproof boxes
  • Mechanical parts that need a little give, like clips and snap fits
  • Containers and parts that come into contact with water

Less suited to

  • Very fine detail: it strings more than PLA and is less crisp
  • High-heat parts near engines or hot motors (use ASA, ABS or PC)
  • Matte finishes: plain PETG tends to print glossy

Printing tips

  • Nozzle around 220–250 °C and bed around 70–85 °C.
  • Use less part cooling than for PLA; too much weakens the layer bond.
  • It sticks extremely well to smooth PEI sheets and can tear the surface. Use a textured sheet, or a thin layer of glue stick as a release agent.
  • Slow down and tune retraction to reduce stringing.
  • PETG absorbs moisture, which causes popping, stringing and weak parts. Dry it at around 65 °C if it has been left out.

PETG questions

Can PETG be used outdoors?

Yes. PETG handles water and UV well and is a common choice for outdoor parts. For parts in strong, direct sun all year, ASA keeps its colour and strength even longer.

Can PETG go in a hot car?

It depends where. PETG softens at around 70–80 °C, so it is fine for most of the cabin but can deform on a dashboard or rear shelf in full summer sun. For those spots, use ASA or ABS.

Is PETG stronger than PLA?

It is tougher rather than stiffer. PLA can take a higher static load but snaps suddenly; PETG flexes and absorbs impacts, so it survives drops and repeated stress much better. See PLA vs PETG.

Does PETG need an enclosure?

No. PETG warps very little and prints well on open printers, unlike ABS or ASA.

Is PETG food safe?

Not reliably once printed. PETG is related to the plastic used for drinks bottles, but colourants vary and layer lines trap bacteria. Only rely on filament the maker certifies as food contact safe, and avoid long-term or repeated food use.

Is PETG waterproof?

The material is, and it resists water well. Printed parts can still leak through tiny gaps between layers, so for watertight containers use thicker walls, more perimeters and a slightly higher temperature, or seal the inside.

Why is my PETG stringing?

PETG is naturally stringier than PLA. The usual fixes are drying the filament, lowering the nozzle temperature a little, increasing retraction slightly and avoiding travel moves across open gaps.

PETG or PCTG: which is better?

For most functional parts PETG is good enough and cheaper. PCTG is tougher and often clearer, so it is worth it for parts that crack from impacts or for transparent prints. See PETG vs PCTG.

What is the difference between PETG and PET?

PETG is PET with glycol added, which stops it crystallising and makes it much easier to print. PET filament can be stiffer but is fussier, so most people use PETG.