<p>Having the dimensions of your 3D printer ordered in Length x Width x Height is a common way, but nobody actually decided it.
I think it has something to do with the 3rd dimension being the "new" dimension for printing things, that's why it's appended at the end.
Additionally, the first axis on a 2D-coordinate system usually is the horizontal one, so writing Length x Width makes sense for me.
If you are unsure you can always test your printer (if you have one) by writing your own G-Code that moves the printhead on a defined axis.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-09-26T08:42:22.690Z
2016-09-26T08:42:22.690Z
Markus Appel
<p>I'm trying to find the correct way to read and understand the dimensions of a 3D printer.  For example, if I read the following dimensions for the <a href="http://rads.stackoverflow.com/amzn/click/B018E9T50Y" rel="nofollow">Robo 3D R1 Plus</a> as 10x9x8 Inch - I want to know what <strong>10</strong> stands for (does it mean print height?), <strong>9</strong> (depth?), and <strong>8</strong> (width?); etc.  I'm not sure if I'm assuming correctly.</p>

<p>I know this should be simple, but I'm not sure where to reference the proper ordering, respective to each aforementioned dimension.</p>

<p><br><br>
<strong>UPDATE</strong>
<br><br></p>

<p>While looking at <a href="https://www.makerbot.com/replicator/" rel="nofollow">Makerbot's Replicator</a> technical specifications, I see them listing their dimensions as follows:</p>

<p><strong>Build Volume</strong></p>

<pre><code>29.5 L X 19.5 W X 16.5 H CM
[11.6 X 7.6 X 6.5 IN]
</code></pre>

<p>So, if I'm reading this correctly, can I infer that 11.6 IN is referring to the length/depth, 7.6 IN is referring to the width, and 6.5 IN is referring to the height.  Would this be the universal/standard way of referring to build specifications for all 3D printers?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-09-25T16:00:56.190Z
LWH is a very common order for measurements, but it's not specific to 3D printing at all.
Tom van der Zanden
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-09-28T14:09:19.317Z
Typically LWH is transferable to XYZ dimensions in machine tools (3D Printers, Mills, Lathes, Lasers, etc). ie Length=X Distance, Width=Y Distance, Z=Height.
tbm0115
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-09-28T18:24:23.657Z
The 11.6 value, as L, would be the x direction typically, and therefore the left to right as you are facing the machine.  W would be the front to back "depth" or y dimension.  Your notation of "length/depth" is problematic, I think.
JKEngineer
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-09-29T07:24:22.477Z
Just a thought, that it mostly matters to distinguish the Height particularly. Length and Width are somewhat symmetrical - you can re-orientate the print by 90 degrees with little consequence; you usually cannot do that vertically, and it makes a huge difference to the structure of a print if you do. If your printer has a moving bed, the non-symmetry of X and Y might make more of a difference (I don't own a moving-bed printer: does that actually make a difference to your X/Y positioning choices?).
SusanW
<diy-3d-printer><printer-building><desktop-printer>
How to properly read dimensions for a 3D printer?
Erutan409
# How to properly read dimensions for a 3D printer?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2016-09-25)

I'm trying to find the correct way to read and understand the dimensions of a 3D printer.  For example, if I read the following dimensions for the Robo 3D R1 Plus as 10x9x8 Inch - I want to know what 10 stands for (does it mean print height?), 9 (depth?), and 8 (width?); etc.  I'm not sure if I'm assuming correctly.
I know this should be simple, but I'm not sure where to reference the proper ordering, respective to each aforementioned dimension.

UPDATE

While looking at Makerbot's Replicator technical specifications, I see them listing their dimensions as follows:
Build Volume
29.5 L X 19.5 W X 16.5 H CM
[11.6 X 7.6 X 6.5 IN]

So, if I'm reading this correctly, can I infer that 11.6 IN is referring to the length/depth, 7.6 IN is referring to the width, and 6.5 IN is referring to the height.  Would this be the universal/standard way of referring to build specifications for all 3D printers?

**Tags:** diy-3d-printer, printer-building, desktop-printer
> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: LWH is a very common order for measurements, but it's not specific to 3D printing at all.  
> **username_2**: Typically LWH is transferable to XYZ dimensions in machine tools (3D Printers, Mills, Lathes, Lasers, etc). ie Length=X Distance, Width=Y Distance, Z=Height.  
> **username_3**: The 11.6 value, as L, would be the x direction typically, and therefore the left to right as you are facing the machine.  W would be the front to back "depth" or y dimension.  Your notation of "length/depth" is problematic, I think.  
> **username_4**: Just a thought, that it mostly matters to distinguish the Height particularly. Length and Width are somewhat symmetrical - you can re-orientate the print by 90 degrees with little consequence; you usually cannot do that vertically, and it makes a huge difference to the structure of a print if you do. If your printer has a moving bed, the non-symmetry of X and Y might make more of a difference (I don't own a moving-bed printer: does that actually make a difference to your X/Y positioning choices?).  

---

## 1 answers

### Answer by username_5 on 2016-09-26. Score: 2 | Accepted answer

Having the dimensions of your 3D printer ordered in Length x Width x Height is a common way, but nobody actually decided it.
I think it has something to do with the 3rd dimension being the "new" dimension for printing things, that's why it's appended at the end.
Additionally, the first axis on a 2D-coordinate system usually is the horizontal one, so writing Length x Width makes sense for me.
If you are unsure you can always test your printer (if you have one) by writing your own G-Code that moves the printhead on a defined axis.


---

