3D printing3 min read
Understanding model dimensions and scale
Avoid tiny or giant prints by checking units before you order.
Why units go wrong
STL files have no units. A model designed in inches but read as millimetres will come out 25.4 times smaller; a model in metres read as millimetres is 1,000 times bigger. Our workspace shows the measured size — always check it matches what you expect.
Checking and scaling
- 1Upload the model and read the width × depth × height shown.
- 2If it's wrong by about 25×, the file was in inches — scale by 2540% or 3.94%.
- 3Use the scale control to resize; the estimated weight and quote update.
- 4Scaling changes walls and holes too — a small model scaled down may get walls that are too thin.
Size limits
Larger models may need to be printed in parts and joined. If your model is bigger than our printer, we'll suggest a split during review.
Ready to try it? Your design is checked by our team before production.
Open the 3D workspace