3D printing & CAD · Beginner

Layer height

How thick each printed layer is, trading speed against smoothness

What is layer height in 3D printing?

Layer height is how thick each layer of a 3D print is, usually a fraction of a millimeter. Thinner layers give smoother, more detailed surfaces but take longer, while thicker layers print faster with more visible lines. It is one of the first settings you choose in a slicer.

Think of it like this

Like building the same shape from stacked paper or stacked cardboard: thin sheets make smoother curves, but you need far more of them.

Where it fits in a 3D project

  1. Create
  2. Surface
  3. Rig
  4. Animate
  5. Render
  6. Export

Export: Saving and sharing the result: file formats, engines and printing.

How layer height works

  1. 01You set a layer height in the slicer, such as 0.2 mm.
  2. 02The slicer divides the model’s height into layers of that thickness.
  3. 03After each layer, the nozzle or build plate moves by that amount.
  4. 04Curved and sloped surfaces show small steps the size of each layer.

Where layer height is used

  • Trading print speed against surface quality
  • Fine detail on figures, using thin layers
  • Fast drafts and big parts, using thick layers

Beginner tip

With a standard 0.4 mm FDM nozzle, 0.2 mm is a reliable default. Go thinner for detailed figures and thicker for quick drafts, staying below the nozzle’s width.

Terms related to layer height

Layer height FAQ

What layer height should I use?
For FDM with a standard 0.4 mm nozzle, 0.2 mm suits most prints. Use thinner layers for detail and thicker ones for speed. Resin printers use much thinner layers, often around 0.05 mm.
Does layer height affect strength?
Somewhat. Prints are weakest between layers, and very thin or very thick layers can both bond less well. For most parts, walls and infill matter more to strength than layer height.
Layer height vs nozzle size: how are they related?
Keep layer height well below the nozzle’s width, roughly a quarter to three quarters of it as a rule of thumb. A 0.4 mm nozzle works well with layers from about 0.1 to 0.3 mm.

Updated October 29, 2026 · Browse all 3D terms