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PLA filament

Polylactic acid

PLA is the easiest filament to print and the most popular by far. It prints at low temperatures, barely warps, needs no enclosure and comes in more colours and finishes than any other material, which makes it the default choice for models, prototypes and decorative prints.

880 PLA filaments from 145 brands, in 8,714 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 PLA filaments. Always check the maker's recommendations for a specific filament.

Nozzle
190–230 °C
Bed
50–70 °C
Density
1.24 g/cm³
Max drying temperature
55 °C

Diameters: 1.75 mm (8,698 colours), 2.85 mm (584 colours)

Colours

Popular PLA filaments

Browse all 880

Top PLA brands

About PLA

Properties

  • Stiff and fairly strong, but brittle: it snaps rather than bends when overloaded.
  • Low heat resistance. Standard PLA starts to soften at around 55–60 °C, so parts can sag in a hot car or in direct summer sun.
  • Crisp detail and clean overhangs, because it cools and sets quickly.
  • Huge range of looks: matte, silk, glitter, translucent, glow in the dark, and blends with wood, metal or carbon fibre.
  • Made from plant starch such as corn or sugar cane. It is often called biodegradable, but it only breaks down in industrial composting, not in a garden heap or landfill.

Good for

  • Display models, figures, cosplay props and decorations
  • Prototypes and test fits
  • Desk accessories, organisers and gifts
  • Multi-colour prints, thanks to the colour range

Less suited to

  • Parts that get hot: car interiors, things near motors, lights or heaters
  • Parts that take impacts or need to flex, like clips and hinges
  • Long-term outdoor use, where heat and UV slowly degrade it

Printing tips

  • Nozzle around 190–230 °C and bed around 50–65 °C; a heated bed helps but is not essential.
  • Use plenty of part cooling for sharp detail and bridges.
  • No enclosure needed. On an enclosed printer, open the door or lid, or the heat can cause jams.
  • PLA absorbs a little moisture over time. If prints turn stringy or rough, dry the spool at around 45–50 °C.

PLA questions

Can you use PLA outdoors?

Not for long. PLA starts to soften at around 55–60 °C, which a dark part in direct summer sun can reach, and UV light makes it brittle over months. For outdoor parts, use PETG for general use or ASA for parts in strong sun all year.

Can PLA go in a hot car?

No. The inside of a parked car in summer easily passes 60 °C, and PLA parts will warp or sag. For dashboard mounts, clips and other car interior parts, use ASA or ABS, which stay rigid to around 95 °C.

Is PLA strong enough for functional parts?

For light-duty parts, yes. PLA is stiff and fairly strong, but it is brittle and snaps rather than bends. For parts that take knocks, flex or repeated stress, PETG is tougher; for gears and wearing parts, look at nylon.

Is PLA good for beginners?

Yes. It is the most forgiving filament: it prints at low temperatures, rarely warps and works on almost any printer without an enclosure, so most people start with it.

Is PLA food safe?

Not reliably. PLA itself is used in food packaging, but colourants and additives vary, and layer lines trap bacteria that washing cannot reach. Only use a filament the maker certifies as food contact safe, and keep printed parts to short, dry contact.

Is PLA dishwasher safe?

No. Dishwasher water and drying cycles run hotter than PLA's softening point of around 55–60 °C, so parts warp. PETG or PP cope with heat and water better.

Is PLA flexible?

No. PLA is rigid and brittle. For bendable parts such as phone cases, seals or grips, use a flexible filament like TPU.

PLA or PETG: which should I use?

Use PLA for models, prototypes and decorative prints, where it gives crisper detail and is easier to print. Use PETG for functional parts that need toughness, heat resistance or outdoor durability. See PLA vs PETG for the side-by-side settings.

What is the difference between PLA and PLA+?

PLA+ (sometimes PLA Pro) is PLA with additives that make it tougher and less brittle. There is no standard for the name, so how much better it is varies between brands. It usually prints a little hotter than plain PLA.