Elephant foot: why the bottom of a part is a little wider
Elephant foot is a 3D printing flaw where the first layers spread outwards, so the bottom of the part is wider than the rest and looks like an elephant's foot.
No model? No problem, pick a ready one
These sites have thousands of free models. Download an STL or 3MF and upload it here. If you sell it or use it for business, check the model licence. How to pick a model and licence
Why it happens
The first layer is pressed onto the hot bed, and the weight of the layers above squashes it sideways while the plastic is still soft. On the first layer the nozzle is deliberately pressed towards the plate so the plastic sticks well, and that is exactly what causes the bulge.
It shows less when the bed is not too hot and the nozzle is not too close, see Z-offset and bed temperature. The slicer can compensate for the spread by shrinking the edge of the first layer slightly.
The effect is mostly small, a few tenths of a millimetre, and on most parts you will not notice it. It can be seen on a thin edge around the base, for example on boxes, and above all where two parts slide into each other.
Why it matters
To the eye it is only a small lip around the bottom. But if a part fits into another part or into an opening, a few extra tenths of a millimetre can make the joint not fit. That is why it matters on parts with precise fits, see tolerances.
How to allow for it in the model
- Bevel the bottom edge: a chamfer of 0.4 to 0.6 mm around the base removes the place where the lip forms, and then it does not matter.
- For press-fit or sliding joints, leave a gap of at least 0.2 to 0.3 mm.
- Do not put openings that something has to fit into right above the base of the part.
For your order
We set the first layer ourselves, but we do not promise dimensions to a tenth of a millimetre. If a precise fit matters to you, add a chamfer on the base and a gap in the joint to your model. We do not offer sanding of the bottom as a service.
Common questions
Is elephant foot a printer fault?
Usually not, it is a natural result of pressing the first layer down. It can be reduced by print settings and by chamfering the model.
Does a chamfered base help?
Yes, a 0.4 to 0.6 mm chamfer on the bottom edge hides the lip, so the part fits anyway.
Does elephant foot affect strength?
No, it is a deviation in shape, not a weak spot.
Related terms
First layer
The first layer is the first layer of plastic that the nozzle lays on the build plate. If it does not stick, the whole print fails.
Tolerances
Tolerances in 3D printing set how far a printed dimension may differ from the model and how much clearance to leave between parts that are meant to fit together.
Chamfer
A chamfer is a straight angled cut instead of a sharp edge, usually at 45 degrees. In 3D printing it prints cleanly even on the bottom edge.
Bed temperature
Bed temperature is the temperature of the heated build plate on which the first layer is printed. The right value prevents peeling and lifting corners, while too high a value spoils the underside of the part.
Z-offset
Z-offset is a setting that moves the print nozzle higher or lower above the build plate by fractions of a millimetre. It decides how firmly the first layer is pressed onto the plate.
Poor first-layer adhesion
Poor first-layer adhesion is when the first layer of plastic does not stick well enough to the build plate, so the part comes loose or shifts during printing, or only a clump of plastic forms.
SourcesSources checked 1 November 2026, 1
- Thermal expansion, Wikipedia, checked 2026-11-01
We will print it for you
Upload a model and see the price per piece, the total with shipping and the date at once. We print in Košice, Slovakia, from PLA and PETG.
No model? No problem, pick a ready one
These sites have thousands of free models. Download an STL or 3MF and upload it here. If you sell it or use it for business, check the model licence. How to pick a model and licence