Layer Height

Also known as: Layer Thickness, Z Resolution

beginner Slicer Settings ⚙️ Slicer Setting

The thickness of each horizontal layer of filament in a 3D print.

Layer height is one of the most important settings in 3D printing. It determines the vertical resolution of your print—how fine or coarse the layers appear.

How It Works

Each layer of your print is a thin slice of the model. The layer height setting controls how thick each slice is. Smaller values mean more layers (and more detail), while larger values mean fewer layers (and faster prints).

Lower layer heights (0.08-0.16mm):

  • Finer detail and smoother surfaces
  • Longer print times (2-3x longer)
  • Better for miniatures, detailed models, and visible surfaces
  • Requires well-tuned printer

Standard layer heights (0.16-0.24mm):

  • Good balance of quality and speed
  • Suitable for most prints
  • 0.2mm is the most common default

Higher layer heights (0.24-0.32mm):

  • Faster printing
  • More visible layer lines
  • Good for functional prints, prototypes, and hidden surfaces
  • Stronger layer adhesion

Rule of Thumb

Your layer height should generally be 25-75% of your nozzle diameter. For a standard 0.4mm nozzle:

  • Minimum: 0.1mm
  • Maximum: 0.3mm
  • Sweet spot: 0.2mm

Impact on Print Time

Doubling the layer height roughly halves the print time. A model that takes 10 hours at 0.1mm layer height would take approximately 5 hours at 0.2mm.