Where to download 3D printable STL files?

There are manySTL file repositories, 3D model marketplaces, and3D design search enginesavailable online. Makers needs3D printable models (preferably in STL format, the virtually common format in 3D printing) before starting to 3D print.

The odds of finding something inspiring on one of these websites are pretty high! Near of the 3D model repositories in our listing are completely or partially complimentary, then no need to spend a lot of money to get amazing 3D models.

Nosotros created this list of thebest websites to download STL files for 3D printers to you make the near out of your 3D printer and unleash your creativity.

Total list of websites to download 3D printable files and 3D models

Website Cost Category Number of 3D models 3D printable files
TraceParts Gratuitous Repository 93,803,647 x
3DfindIT Costless Search engine five,559,251 x
3D Warehouse Costless Repository four,000,000 x
GrabCAD Complimentary Repository 3,640,000 10
Thangs Free Search engine three,400,000 10
STL Finder Free/Paid Search engine 2,000,000 ten
Yeggi Complimentary/Paid Search engine one,958,000 x
Zimple Gratis/Paid Search engine 1,863,000 x
Sketchfab Costless/Paid Repository 1,500,000
Thingiverse Complimentary Repository ane,446,000 ten
Thangs Free/Paid Search engine 3,400,000 x
CGTrader Free/Paid Marketplace 820,000 x
Cults. Free/Paid Marketplace 300,000 x
PrintMeASheep Free/Paid Search engine 100,000 x
Free3D Complimentary/Paid Repository 74,700
My Mini Factory Complimentary/Paid Marketplace lx,000 x
TurboSquid Free/Paid Marketplace 35,725
CGStudio Free/Paid Marketplace 31,459 x
Pinshape Free/Paid Marketplace 30,000 ten
Hum3D Free/Paid Marketplace sixteen,305 x
3Dupndown Costless/Paid Market sixteen,200 10
FlatPyramid Paid Marketplace xv,500 ten
YouMagine Gratis Repository fifteen,000 10
3DExport Complimentary/Paid Marketplace 12,853 x
PARTcloud.internet Free Repository 12,240
XYZprinting 3D Gallery Complimentary/Paid Market place 9,130 x
NIH 3D Print Exchange Free Repository 7,160 x
3D Orchard Costless Repository 7,000 x
Embodi3D Free/Paid Market place vi,942 x
Threeding Free/Paid Marketplace 5,425 x
Redpah Complimentary/Paid Marketplace three,600 10
3DfindIT Gratis Search engine 5,559,251 x
Printables (PrusaPrinters rebranded) Free Repository 2,269 10
3Dfilemarket Gratuitous/Paid Marketplace 1,149 10
Tridimensia Free/Paid Search engine g 10
Repables Free Repository 690 x
STLHive Gratis/Paid Marketplace 544 ten
Gambody Free/Paid Market 443 x
3DaGoGo Complimentary/Paid Marketplace 435 x
Libre3D Free Repository 384 x
Polar Deject Complimentary Repository 364 x
3Demon Free/Paid Marketplace 249 x
africanfossils.org Free Repository 180 x
CG Sci-Fi Free/Paid Marketplace 116
NASA Free Repository 105 x
Rinkak Free/Paid Marketplace 100 x
Pileprint Complimentary Repository ninety ten
3DKitbash Paid Marketplace 33 ten
Zortrax Library Free Repository 10
3dsha.re Free/Paid Market 10
Fabbly Free/Paid Marketplace x
Instructables Free Repository x
Shapetizer Free/Paid Market place x
Tinkercad Free Repository 10
3DVIA Free Repository
3D-pocket Paid Marketplace x
Happy3D.fr Costless Repository x
MakePrintable Complimentary Repository x
Wazp Spark Paid Market place x

This table aims to listing all of the websites offer paid and free STL files, 3D models, 3D designs, and 3D printable files. We decided to include the number of bachelor 3D files (when possible) and to highlight which 3D model repositories have 3D printable files (straight ready for 3D printing).

How to use our listing of the best websites to download free STL files or 3D printable models?

Here are some explanations on how to utilise our list of the all-time websites to download free 3D models for 3D printers.

Free/paid

  • Gratuitous: the 3D file repository is entirely free.
  • Complimentary/paid: the STL file marketplace offers a mix of free and paid 3D designs.
  • Paid: the 3D models market is an online store where users must pay to download a 3D file.
Piano body and strings
A modest pianoforte we 3D printed from a complimentary STL file on Thingiverse ("Piano 2" by kazysd).

Category

We classify the sites to download STL files in three categories:

  • Repository: a repository is a database regrouping costless 3D models only. Most STL files websites are repositories.
  • Market: a marketplace is a website containing both paid and costless STL files.
  • Search engine: 3D model search engines alphabetize thousands of 3D files from other websites to save fourth dimension for users.

3D printable files

The sites with an "Ten" in the "3D printable files" column are either 100% 3D printable files or have an option to filter on 3D printable designs only.

Where can I find gratuitous STL files for 3D printers?

Take a expect at some of the best sites to find free STL files for 3D printing.For 3D file repositories, size matters. The more than 3D printing files, usually the more interesting the database. However,user feel is also an of import factor: filters, 3D visualizer, active customs, etc.

Simply a handful of them match those criteria, and most sites take the same 3D models appear on a regular basis.

Hither is a shortlist of the most popular and best complimentary STL file websites with fresh content:

  • Thingiverse
  • Cults.
  • MyMiniFactory
  • Pinshape

In our tabular array, these 3D model repositories have a trophy emoji. All of them are 100% dedicated to 3D printing. They offer a wide choice ofdownloadable 3D models that are gear up to 3D printed and a good user experience.

(You lot can besides 3D model your own objects with tools similar SelfCAD!).

Overview of the best websites to download STL files and 3D designs for 3D press

Nosotros are focusing on our favorite 3D-press-friendly websites. Here is a listing of 3D printable file repositories, marketplaces, and search engines that we think are great for 3D printing.

Thingiverse was launched in 2008 by MakerBot and has grown to becomeone of today'southward biggest 3D press communities in the world. Users of all levels can upload, share, and download 3D printable models for gratis. Thingiverse also hosts 3D design challenges quite often.

Furthermore, this 3D file repository has a very active community interacting in the many discussion groups of the platform. The conversation topics vary from specific 3D printer models, to Star Wars, RepRap, and more.

Cults is a French 3D printing marketplace that launched in 2014. This 3D printer file marketplace is available in English, French, and Castilian and offers bothfree and paid 3D models.

Users tin can collaborate with each other, ask questions, and save their favorite 3D designs for a later 3D print. Cults also introduced an on-demand 3D design feature where users can request a custom 3D design, which a professional designer then creates for a fee.

http://TraceParts%20STL%20files%20for%20professionals

TraceParts is a pattern library with millions of CAD files and 3D models. The site'due south catalogs comprehend mechanical components, optics, vacuum equipment, hydraulics, heat transmission, electronics, and much more.

Pinshape was launched in 2014 and offers costless and premium (paid) models for 3D press. The site supports STL and OBJ formats and Aught files containing STL or OBJ files.

Pinshape was acquired past resin 3D printer manufacturer Formlabs in 2016 subsequently announcing they had run out of funds. Shut call, for the greater adept of the 3D press community!

They offering an interestingfile streaming option, assuasive users to edit, slice, and 3D print a 3D model direct from Pinshape without downloading the 3D model file.

YouMagine was created in 2013 past Ultimaker and has over 15,000 open up-source 3D designs. Users may upload, share, and download 3D models.

The 3D designs are complimentary and 3D printable on whatsoever 3D printer. This STL file repository features various collections to help users observe inspiration and the right 3D pattern.

MyMiniFactory

By MyMiniFactory

MyMiniFactory was launched in 2013 and is an STL file repository entirely dedicated to 3D printable designs. With the assistance of its community, MyMiniFactory tests every 3D model. Hence,the platform guarantees that any 3D design in its repository is 100% 3D printable.

The website isavailable in English, French, Italian, Castilian, German, and Chinese. MyMiniFactory regularly hosts contests.

Yeggi is a popular search engine for 3D printable files that launched in 2013. They aggregate 3D models from many 3D communities and marketplaces to offering a big option of files for 3D printing. Yeggi's homepage highlights the most searched and clicked 3D models.

It is as well possible to use some basic filters to narrow the search. On the Yeggi STL file search engine, users may create an business relationship to save their favorite 3D models and become notifications on new releases.

Shapetizer is a digital marketplace for STL files and 3D printable models that launched in 2015. Designers from all over the world are uploading, sharing, and selling their 3D designs hither.

Shapetizer does the manufacturing, shipping, and marketing, and gives role of the revenue to the 3D designer. Registered users tin 3D impress models for gratuitous, or non, depending on the 3D blueprint.

To protect designers' intellectual belongings on 3D designs, some 3D models are only are available via a streaming choice and not for download.

Threeding is an online 3D printing market, founded in 2013,offering gratis and paid 3D printablemodels. You can upload, share or sell and download 3D models.

All the 3D designs are classified into categories to help with the research process. In addition, in that location are filters to refine the search (toll, file format, and texture). Threeding also provides a 3D press service, then users who don't have access to a 3D printer may club their favorite 3D models.

Bonus: nerd corner!

  • NASA offers an STL file repository from which users can download 3D printable models to make infinite-related items such as satellites, planets, or spaceships. A must for space geeks!
  • Africanfossils.org is a 3D file database where there are many free 3D models of African fossils, from animals to ancient tools.

I am a 3D designer, where can I sell my 3D models or STL files?

At that place are plenty of websites where you lot can sell your 3D printable file or 3D model.Whether for 3D design wizards or hobbyists with good 3D modeling skills, many 3D file marketplaces allow users to put their 3D models upward for auction.

The principle is simple: when a user downloads a 3D model, the designer receives earnings(minus the marketplace'due south commission).

Some 3D designers choose to share their 3D models for free, but in return enquire for fiscal support on collaborative platforms such every bit Patreon.

For instance, the designer Agustin Flowalistik offers his 3D designs for free on Cults., Thingiverse, YouMagine, and MyMiniFactory only accepts support on Patreon.

Agustin Flowalistik'southward profile on Twitter.

The best websites and marketplaces to sell 3D models

Here are a few of our favorite 3D impress file marketplaces.

Cults.

Their committee is xx% of the selling price (excluding VAT), which includes bank fees (most 5% of the commission).

Pinshape

Pinshape adds 30% of the designer's cost, so the commission is paid by the heir-apparent and non the designer.

Threeding

The standard committee fee rate is eight.v% of the sale price (minimum $0.45) including VAT. However, this commission may be lower for non-profit organizations such equally museums, schools, foundations, individual collectors, etc. The commission may exist higher if Threeding helps fix the models in a 3D-press-friendly format.

Embodi3D

Embodi3D receives 15% of the auction price, plus $0.xxx per sale (transaction fee). This website is specialized in medical STL models.

What are the most common file formats for 3D printing?

STL

The STL format is the most common file format in 3D printing.STL stands for stereolithography and is originally a 3D Systems creation. It is the chief 3D file format used for FFF and FDM desktop 3D printers.

This format approximates the surfaces of a solid model with triangles: the more triangles, the more authentic the 3D design.

OBJ

OBJ is an open file format that Wavefront's Avant-garde Visualizer uses for polygonal or free-form objects. Many design software tin can export to OBJ and this format is likewise common in 3D printing.

VRML

VRML stands for "Virtual Reality Modeling Language". VRML is a 3D digital file format that supports color. Therefore, full-color 3D printers or dual extruder 3D printers may use this format.

AMF

AMF stands for Additive Manufacturing File Format and is becoming more and more standard in 3D press.AMF supports color. Nearly of all,information technology is possible to compress AMF files to about half the size of an STL file.

G-Lawmaking

G-Code is a numerical language used to instruct CNC (computer numerical control) machines, including 3D printers. In the case of 3D printers, the One thousand-Code is the actual file that the 3D printer reads.

The G-Code file contains the instructions for the 3D printer to build the object layer past layer (starting betoken, the management and the speed of the nozzle, etc.). It is possible to generate G-Code files from STL files or other formats using slicer software.

Slicing software converts3D drawings into horizontal layers with instructions for the 3D printer.

How to download an STL file?

Downloading STL files is a very easy process. Here are the steps:

  • Go to a 3D model repository/marketplace (run across our list above)
  • Observe a 3D patternusing the filters or the search bar (if in that location are a lot of "likes" on a 3D design it usually means it'southward skilful)
  • Click on the 3D model and read all the characteristics to make certain that's the ane
  • Click on download

How to open up an STL file?

To open an STL file, there are ii main options:

  • STL viewer: there are many costless ones online, without having to download any software.
  • 3D design software: after downloading the software, it is possible to open an STL file and edit it.

In this article, we focus on STL file repositories, marketplaces, and search engines that are the most uniform with 3D printing. Information technology is our selection (with the trophy emoji) of the best websites to download free STL files for 3D press. However, in that location are many more to choose from in our comprehensive table.

There are thousands of splendid 3D printable models on the web! What are your favorite websites to download STL files?

free STL file website
Model by Impress That Matter on Pinshape.

In this article, we focus on STL file repositories, marketplaces, and search engines that are the virtually compatible with 3D printing. It is our choice (with the trophy emoji) of the best websites to download free STL files for 3D press.

However, there are many more to choose from in our comprehensive tabular array. There are thousands of excellent 3D printable models on the spider web! What are your favorite websites to download STL files? Let us know on Facebook and Twitter!

FAQ

What file format is used for 3D printing?

The most mutual 3D printing file format that a 3D printer uses is GCode. This file type is a set of instructions for the 3D printer (temperature, movements, etc.) generated by slicing software from a 3D file format (STL, OBJ, AMF, 3MF, and more). STL is the most popular 3D file format.

What does STL file hateful? What is the STL file format?

An STL file is a 3D model of a item object in 3D design software. STL stands for Stereolithography, as it was the file developed for the globe'due south kickoff 3D printers, which used stereolithography applied science.

How do I make an STL file?

To brand an STL file, users demand 3D modeling software such every bit AutoCAD, Tinkercad, Blender, etc. Once the 3D model is created, information technology'due south possible to cull dissimilar export formats, including STL.

Are there any sites similar to Thingiverse?

There are over l sites similar to Thingiverse, such as Cults, Pinshape, and MyMiniFactory. Cheque out the full list of STL file sites here.