Nozzle temperature: what it is for PLA and PETG and why it matters
Nozzle temperature is the temperature the hotend is heated to so the filament melts. It decides how fluid the plastic is, how strong the bonds between layers are and how the surface looks.
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Contents
Guideline ranges
Every material has a window in which it can be printed. For PLA it is roughly 190 to 220 °C, and for PETG roughly 230 to 250 °C. The exact values are given by the manufacturer on the spool and are tuned to the specific filament, the speed and the printer. A basic overview of the settings is in the OrcaSlicer wiki.
What too low and too high a temperature do
- Too cold. The plastic does not bond with the previous layer and the part breaks along the layers, see delamination. The nozzle can jam and under-extrusion appears.
- Too hot. The plastic is runny, leaks and forms threads, see stringing. Overhangs and small details deform, because the plastic does not set in time.
- First layer. It is usually a little hotter so it sticks well, see first layer.
Temperature and strength
A higher temperature (within the range) improves the strength between layers, because the plastic melts further into the previous layer. That is why the upper half of the window is chosen for strong parts. Printed at the right temperature, PETG is often stronger between layers than PLA. Temperature is linked to cooling too: the hotter it is, the more cooling is needed.
Moisture and temperature. Damp filament behaves like an overheated one when printing: bubbles, hissing, threads and a rough surface. Lowering the temperature will not fix it, you have to dry it, see filament moisture. The nozzle matters too: a worn or partly clogged nozzle gives an uneven flow, which can be mistakenly blamed on temperature.
Temperature in your order
We have tuned the nozzle temperature for PLA and PETG ourselves, and you do not set it in the calculator. You choose the material and the infill strength, and everything else is in the price. If you need a heat-resistant part, remember that both materials soften at low temperatures. See glass transition.
Common questions
What is the right temperature for PLA?
Roughly 190 to 220 °C, exactly as the filament manufacturer says. We choose it ourselves.
Why is PETG printed at a higher temperature than PLA?
PETG melts at a higher temperature and is more viscous, so it needs more heat to flow well and bond the layers.
Does a higher temperature reduce accuracy?
It can. Overheated plastic leaks and spreads, which harms fine detail. That is why the window is never used right at the upper limit.
Related terms
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.
Cooling
Cooling in 3D printing is a stream of air from the fans on the print head that quickly sets freshly laid plastic. It improves overhangs and detail, but too much of it weakens the bond between layers.
Glass transition temperature
The glass transition temperature (Tg) is the temperature at which a plastic changes from a hard, strong state to a soft, bendy one. For PLA it is around 60 °C and for PETG around 80 °C.
Layer delamination
Delamination is the separation of two neighbouring layers of a 3D print that did not bond well enough during printing, so the part cracks along a layer.
Stringing
Stringing is a 3D printing flaw where plastic leaks from the nozzle during a move between two points and forms thin wisps like a cobweb.
PETG
PETG is a tough 3D printing plastic, a close relative of the material in PET bottles. Compared with PLA it withstands more heat, impact and moisture, so it suits technical parts and outdoor use.
SourcesSources checked 1 November 2026, 2
- Material temperatures, OrcaSlicer wiki, checked 2026-11-01
- Fused filament fabrication, Wikipedia, checked 2026-11-01
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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