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TPU filament

Thermoplastic polyurethane

TPU is the most popular flexible filament. It prints rubbery parts that bend, stretch and spring back, from soft phone cases to tough gaskets, and it is far more forgiving to print than it used to be, especially in firmer grades.

158 TPU filaments from 70 brands, in 945 colours.

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At a glance

Our rating
Ease of printing
Toughness
Stiffness
Heat resistance
Outdoor and UV
Flexibility
  • Dry before printing

Typical settings

Median values across all TPU filaments. Always check the maker's recommendations for a specific filament.

Nozzle
210–240 °C
Bed
30–60 °C
Density
1.21 g/cm³
Max drying temperature
70 °C

Diameters: 1.75 mm (945 colours), 2.85 mm (52 colours)

Colours

Popular TPU filaments

Browse all 158

Top TPU brands

About TPU

Properties

  • Flexible and elastic, with excellent abrasion and tear resistance.
  • Sold by hardness on the Shore A scale. Around 95A is firm and the easiest to print; 85A and below are noticeably softer and harder to feed.
  • Absorbs impacts and vibration, so it makes good bumpers and feet.
  • Good resistance to oil and grease.

Good for

  • Phone and device cases
  • Gaskets, seals and grommets
  • Feet, bumpers and vibration dampers
  • Grips, straps, watch bands and wheels or tyres for models

Less suited to

  • Rigid or precise parts that must hold their shape under load
  • Prints that need fast print speeds or lots of retraction
  • Very fine detail and sharp overhangs

Printing tips

  • Nozzle around 210–235 °C and bed around 30–60 °C.
  • Print slowly. A direct-drive extruder with a constrained filament path handles TPU best; softer grades can buckle in Bowden setups.
  • Reduce or turn off retraction to avoid jams and stringing.
  • TPU absorbs moisture quickly, which causes stringing and bubbles. Dry it before printing, typically at around 50–55 °C.
  • It bonds strongly to PEI; a little glue stick helps parts release.

TPU questions

Is TPU good for phone cases?

Yes. A firm TPU around 95A is the usual choice: it grips, absorbs drops and bends enough to fit over the phone.

Can TPU be used outdoors?

Yes, for most uses. TPU handles weather and abrasion well, though some grades slowly yellow in strong sunlight. For rigid outdoor parts, use ASA or PETG instead.

Is TPU heat resistant?

Moderately. Most TPU softens noticeably at around 60–80 °C, so it is fine for everyday use but not for parts near engines or heaters.

Can you print TPU with a Bowden extruder?

Firmer grades around 95A usually work if you print slowly and reduce retraction. Softer grades buckle inside the long tube, so a direct-drive extruder is much more reliable for them.

What does 95A mean on TPU?

It is the hardness on the Shore A scale, used for rubbers. Lower numbers are softer. 95A is about as firm as a skateboard wheel and is the easiest to print; 85A is closer to a rubber band.

TPU or TPE: which should I use?

TPU is firmer, tougher and easier to print, so it suits most flexible parts. TPE is often softer and stretchier but harder to feed. See TPU vs TPE.

Why does my TPU string so much?

Moisture and retraction are the usual causes. Dry the spool, lower the temperature a little and use little or no retraction.