The Ultimate Guide to G-Code for 3D Printing

If you’ve ever fired up your 3D printer and watched it spring to life, you may have wondered: How does it know what to do? The answer is G-code. This is the magical language that tells your printer how to move, how hot to get, how fast to extrude filament, and much more. But don’t worry, G-code isn’t a foreign language – once you understand it, you’ll be controlling your printer like a seasoned pro.

This guide will walk you through every G-code command you’ll need to know for 3D printing. By the end, you’ll have the power to manipulate your 3D prints with precision and confidence. Ready to become a G-code wizard? Let’s dive in!


What Exactly Is G-Code?

Before we dive into the G-code commands, let’s first break down what it actually is. Think of G-code as a list of instructions for your 3D printer, similar to a recipe. It tells your printer where to go, how to extrude filament, and how hot things should get.

G-code is used to control every aspect of the printing process, from moving the print head to adjusting temperatures and speeds. The good news? G-code isn’t hard to understand once you know the basics. And as you get more comfortable with it, you’ll realize just how much control you have over the printing process!


Movement Commands: The Print Head’s Roadmap

These commands are all about getting the print head to the right spot. They tell your printer how to move around and where to extrude filament.

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[Update: 13Jan25] 3D Printing 101/102

3D printing is a not-so-new technology that has applications for day to day hobbies, industry, and surprisingly aerospace. I’m not going to try and sell 3D printing to you as that’s why there are other websites that do that. Let’s get into the meat and potatoes.

3D Printing 101

Getting Into 3D Printing

Very easy, occasionally mind melting when you feel that nothing is going your way, but as long as your a tinkerer and know how to use Google you'll be all good. I will be updating this article as time permits so it serves as a one stop shop for all your needs. Saves time and frustration as I've learned first hand since some videos and tutorials leave out key data points that would otherwise save you from tearing out your hair. Below is a list of upgrades that will enhance your 3D printing experience. Do you need to drop $700 now? No. But keep the chart in mind when you decide to do incremental upgrades, because as you gain more experience and start tinkering, you'll inevitably want to make some changes to your printer. And I know first hand.

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