Find the "Magic Numbers" for smoother 3D prints.
Use these exact values in your Slicer (Cura, PrusaSlicer) for the Z-axis.
If you have ever noticed horizontal lines or ripples running up the sides of your 3D prints (a phenomenon known as Z-banding), your layer height might be conflicting with your printer's mechanical hardware. 3D printers move their Z-axis using a stepper motor and a threaded rod (lead screw). The Magic Number refers to the exact mathematical distance the Z-axis travels in a single, full "step" of the motor.
While printer boards use "micro-stepping" to move in tiny fractions of a step, the motor can only hold these micro-steps magnetically, which isn't always accurate under the weight of an X-gantry. If you set your layer height in your slicer (like Cura) to a random number like 0.15mm, the motor might stop halfway between physical steps. Over hundreds of layers, this tiny error compounds, creating ugly horizontal lines. By using our calculator, you align your slicer settings perfectly with your machine's mechanics (e.g., multiples of 0.04mm for an Ender 3). Setting your layer height to 0.12mm, 0.16mm, or 0.20mm guarantees the motor rests on a full physical step every single layer!
AI-generated estimates. No guarantee of accuracy. We assume no liability for decisions based on these results. Independent verification is recommended.