Current
I = J × A
I in amps, J in A/dm², A in dm².
100 cm² = 1 dm². 1 in² = 6.4516 cm².
Free tool from PrintPlating · no sign-up3D Print Electroplating
3D Print Electroplating
Current & Voltage Calculator
Estimate electroplating current, plating time and conductive-coating voltage loss. Upload your 3D part or enter its surface area to plan a copper or other single-metal plating run.
Voltage results describe coating losses, not the total voltage to set on your power supply.
Your parts
No parts loadedExample preview
Drag to orbit · scroll to zoom—
Bring your part to the workbenchSTEP / STP, OBJ, STL or 3MF · multiple files welcomeOr drop files here. Geometry stays in your browser. Max 30 MB/file.
CAD area is an approximation. Internal, overlapping and sealed faces may be counted. Confirm scale, then set the exposed fraction for each file.
Exposed surface area
1.000 dm² total
Count every wetted conductive face, including both sides. Include exposed hanging wire in the allowance below.
Bath & deposit
One bath per batchIllustrative inputs, not a bath recipe. Use your supplier’s current-density range and efficiency.
Gentle start for conductive paint
Optional two-stage estimate. Set the start from your bath/paint instructions; the example below is not an automatic recommendation.
Part conductivity
Optional diagnosticWith power disconnected, measure from the actual hanger contact to several surface locations. Probe contact affects the result; check remote areas separately.
Add measurements to estimate resistive voltage loss through the conductive coating.
A simplified single-path model, not a conductivity simulation. It cannot establish a safe current or predict coverage. Average conductivity is not multiplied into Faraday’s law.
Your run estimate
Average deposit · idealized geometryRun current——
Estimated bath time—Excludes prep, rinsing & finishing
Deposited metal—
Charge required—
Run growth rate—
From calculation to copper
Ready to plate your 3D print?
Use your estimate to check your power supply and plan your setup. Then choose the kit or materials you need. The calculator stays free, whether you buy from us or not.
Explore the copper plating starter kit ↗Need a supply? View the kit with power supply ↗Already have a bath? Shop conductive paint ↗
Read each product’s contents and required extras. Prefer us to do the plating? Explore our copper plating service.
Understand the estimate
The math behind the metal.
Surface area sets the amps. Charge sets the deposit. Conductivity influences how evenly current can reach the surface.
Mass & time
m = ρ × A × δ
t = m × n × F / (M × I × η)
t = m × n × F / (M × I × η)
Use cm² for A, cm for δ, g/cm³ for ρ, g/mol for M, seconds for t, and efficiency η as a fraction. 1 µm = 10⁻⁴ cm; F ≈ 96,485.332 C/mol. n is electrons per deposited atom.
Coating resistance
R = L / (σ × w × h)
ΔV = I × R · P = I² × R
ΔV = I × R · P = I² × R
σ in S/m, lengths L, w and h in meters. For measured Ω, R is the arithmetic mean. Full batch current through one path is a conservative screening assumption, not an actual current map.
Material assumptions & staged calculations
Metal density is the dense bulk value. Gold assumes Au(I); Au(III) and alloy baths require different constants. Efficiency defaults (Cu 98%, Ni 95.5%, Ag 95%, Zn 90%, Au 95%) are editable estimates, not universal bath data. Single-metal DC only: no alloy composition, pulse waveform, stress, porosity or throwing-power model.
Charge Q = m n F / (M η). Starting current Iₛ = I × start share; starting seconds tₛ = min(selected start seconds, Q / Iₛ). Total seconds = tₛ + max(0, Q − Iₛtₛ) / I. The same efficiency is assumed in both stages. Growth rate shown is the later run stage. Rack allowance adds area, estimated deposit and charge.
At the bench
A better plate starts before the bath.
A practical checklist for setup, the run, and the finish. Follow the instructions for your exact chemistry first.
Set current, then watch the part
Use constant-current mode: calculate amps from the total exposed area. Voltage is what the supply needs to drive that current; there is no universal plating voltage.
Start within the supplier’s range. Painted surfaces often need a gentler start while metal connects the surface. Sharp edges attract current; recesses lag. Add good contacts and consider repositioning or shielding under the bath instructions.
What a burnt deposit looks like
Even deposit*
Rough / burnt*
Look for rough, dark or powdery edges, nodules or branching growth. Reduce current and check circulation, contact and bath condition. More time won’t repair a defective layer.
*Stylized texture illustrations, not diagnostic photographs. Appearance varies by metal and chemistry.How to know when you’re done
Full color coverage is the start of a continuous film, not proof of thickness. Track amp-hours and verify with an appropriate thickness method or a representative test coupon. Check recesses as well as exposed edges.
For an average check on a clean, dry sample: δ ≈ added mass / (density × area). Account for deposit on the hanger. Rinse and dry by the supplier’s procedure before evaluating.
Size, time & batch sharing
At a fixed A/dm², doubling the area doubles the amps, while ideal time stays the same. At a fixed amp limit, doubling area approximately doubles time. Doubling target thickness doubles charge.
A batch total doesn’t mean each part gets equal current. Position, contacts and geometry matter. The 3D viewer shows shape only; it does not simulate current distribution.
Do
- Clean, degrease and prepare with a substrate-compatible process. Seal porous prints and fully cure compatible conductive paint.
- Confirm continuity at several points, especially far from the hanger. Keep clean, reliable electrical contacts.
- Connect the workpiece to negative; connect the correct anode to positive. Check polarity before energizing.
- Maintain the specified temperature, pH and agitation. Log current, time and bath condition; test on a spare part first.
- Use splash protection, compatible gloves and engineered ventilation as required by the SDS. Keep electrical equipment dry and follow applicable electrical protection requirements.
Don’t
- Don’t treat the defaults as approval for your bath or use brightness as a thickness gauge.
- Don’t plate a nonconductive print without a continuous, compatible conductive layer.
- Don’t raise voltage to chase a poor contact, leave a new setup unattended, or let parts touch the anode.
- Don’t mix unknown chemicals or improvise chromium/cyanide processes. Nickel salts can sensitize; select controls for the actual chemicals.
- Don’t pour metal-bearing electrolyte or rinses down a drain. Collect, label and arrange disposal under local requirements.
3D print electroplating calculator: common questions
Quick answers about amps, voltage, plating time and getting started.
How do I calculate electroplating current for a 3D print?
Multiply exposed conductive area in dm² by your bath supplier’s current density in A/dm²: I = J × A. For example, 100 cm² is 1 dm², so 1 A/dm² requires 1 A. Count every wetted conductive face and any exposed hanging wire.
What voltage should I use for electroplating a 3D print?
There is no single voltage for every part and bath. Set current within your supplier’s specified range; the supply needs enough voltage to maintain it. This calculator estimates resistive voltage loss through a conductive coating from measured resistance or conductivity. It does not calculate total bath voltage or prescribe a safe voltage setting.
How long does it take to electroplate a 3D print?
Time depends on target thickness, delivered current, exposed area, deposit metal and cathode efficiency. At the same current density, a larger part needs more amps but approximately the same ideal plating time. Once the power supply reaches its current limit, increasing exposed area increases the estimated time. Preparation, rinsing and finishing take additional time.
Can I upload STEP, STL, OBJ or 3MF files?
Yes. Upload one or more STEP/STP, STL, OBJ or 3MF files to preview the geometry and estimate surface area. STEP and 3MF use embedded measurements; confirm the units for STL and OBJ. Adjust exposed fractions for masked or sealed surfaces. Files are processed locally in your browser.
What do I need to copper plate a 3D print?
You need a suitably prepared print with a compatible continuous conductive layer, an appropriate copper bath and anode, reliable contacts and a suitable DC supply, plus the protection and ventilation required by the chemistry. PrintPlating offers starter kits, a kit with a power supply and conductive paint. Check the product pages for contents and required extras before buying.
Is this electroplating calculator free?
Yes. PrintPlating provides this calculator free to use without an account or purchase. It is a planning estimate, not a validated process setting or a guarantee of thickness, adhesion or finish. Verify your inputs against supplier instructions and a test coupon.