Check your STL
before you print.
See the size, volume and weight of your part, which way to print it, how much support it needs and how hard that support is to remove. Add heat-set inserts, then ask for a quote in one step.
- Weight in grams per material
- Volume in cm³ and mm³
- Best of six orientations
- Insert hole sizes
Your file is analysed in this browser. It is only sent if you request a quote and choose to attach it.
Part
Material and weight
Printed weight assumes the walls and infill above. Support weight assumes 15 % support density in the same material.
Orientation and support
Click a row to view it
| Orientation | Height | Support | On part | Scar area | Plate contact |
|---|
Scar area is the part surface touched by support, where the finish will be rougher. Support standing on the part is harder to remove than support standing on the build plate, and it can be impossible to reach inside closed channels.
Heat-set inserts
| Thread | Length mm | Per part | Hole Ø | Depth | Min. boss Ø |
|---|
Hole sizes are typical manufacturer values for brass knurled inserts. Depth is insert length plus 1 mm, so displaced plastic and the screw tip have room. Check the datasheet of the insert you use and tune by ±0.1 mm for your printer.
From file to quote in three steps
No account and no upload to look at your part. The checker reads the mesh in your browser and measures it on the spot.
Open the STL
Drop a binary or ASCII STL. The checker measures size and volume in cm³ and mm³, and turns the volume into grams for the material you pick.
Choose the orientation
Six orientations are compared for support volume, support resting on the part and the area it scars. The best one is marked; click any row to see it.
Ask for a quote
Add heat-set inserts, quantity and notes. The request goes out with the full analysis and, if you want, the STL file.
Download it. Check offline.
The same checker as a native Mac app. Open an STL from Finder and get volume, weight, the best orientation and insert holes in a second, with no browser and no internet connection.
- Works fully offline
- Volume in cm³, weight per material
- Six orientations compared for support
- Heat-set insert holes M2–M8
Available on the Mac App Store · macOS 13 Ventura or later.
Questions people ask
How do I find out how much my STL file will weigh?
Open the STL and pick the material. You get the solid weight from the model volume and the material density, and an estimate for the printed part from your wall thickness and infill. Support weight is shown separately.
Which orientation needs the least support?
The checker compares the six main orientations. For each it shows the support volume, how much of it stands on the part instead of the build plate, and the surface area the support touches. The best one is marked.
What hole size do I need for an M3 heat-set insert?
A typical brass M3 × 5.7 mm knurled insert needs a 4.0 mm hole, about 6.7 mm deep, in a boss of at least 6.5 mm diameter. Add your inserts in section 04 to get the sizes for M2 to M8, and check the datasheet of the insert you use.
Is my STL file uploaded?
No. The analysis runs in your browser. The file is only sent if you request a quote and tick “Attach my STL file”.
Is there an offline version?
Yes. STLChecker for Mac does the same checks without a browser or internet connection. It is a one-time purchase with no subscription.
Why is support on the part worse than support on the build plate?
Support that stands on another surface of the part is trapped between two faces. It is harder to reach, it marks both surfaces, and in closed channels it may not come out at all. Support standing on the plate breaks away cleanly.