What is a Nozzle?

A nozzle is a tiny, precise opening in your 3D printer where hot plastic comes out.

The Simple Explanation

The nozzle is the final step in your extruder. Hot, liquid plastic gets pushed through this small hole, creating a thin line of plastic that builds up to form your 3D printed object.

Think of it like a pen tip—the thinner the tip, the more detail you can create. Most nozzles are 0.4mm (about the width of a pen line).

Why It Matters

The nozzle is critical because:

1. Precision: The small hole creates thin, precise lines (much thinner than you can draw by hand)
2. Quality: A clean nozzle produces clean prints. A clogged nozzle produces bad prints
3. Wear and Tear: Nozzles slowly wear out over time and may need replacing

Common Issues

• Clogged Nozzle: Dried filament blocks the hole. Your print won't have any plastic coming out
• Nozzle Too High: The nozzle is too far from the bed, so plastic doesn't stick
• Nozzle Too Low: The nozzle scrapes the bed and can break

Pro Tip

Clean your nozzle regularly! Most clogs can be fixed by heating the nozzle and carefully removing the dried plastic. Your printer's first layer calibration (making sure the nozzle height is perfect) is one of the most important skills to learn.

Modern 3D printers usually come with spare nozzles. If yours is damaged, they're cheap to replace!