Looking to get started with printing ready-made models? Read this guide for a list of websites that offer free STL files for 3D printing.
If you have just started 3D printing, you may be looking for free STL and 3D models to download and print.
Below are 11 of the best websites that offer free STL 3D models for 3D Printers. On each website, you can browse a large selection of 3D designs and 3D models that you can download and print on your own.
But before you download a model, it’s important to know what material you will use to create it. For starters, we recommend plastic filaments such as PLA and ABS. Of course, check whether your 3D printer can work with the particular filament you intend to use.
Not sure which filament is right for you? Check our guides on 3D printer filaments below:
- Best 3D Printer Filament Brand
- Best Filament for 3D Printing
- Types of PLA Filaments
- Best PLA Filaments
With the materials issue out of the way, let’s get back to where you can find STL files for 3D printing.
Majority of the sites in our list offer free STL files. However, some also sell 3D models. So, if you are a 3D designer and want to make some extra money, these sites will be a perfect platform to showcase your work and sell it.
Below is an overview of the sites that offer STL files for 3D printing.
Sites Offering Free STL Files for 3D Printing
| Name | Cost |
| Thingiverse | Free |
| Hum3D | Free, Pay |
| CGTrader | Free, Pay |
| MyMiniFactory | Free, Pay |
| Cults | Free, Pay |
| Free3D | Free, Pay |
| Pinshape | Free, Pay |
| YouMagine | Free |
| 3DExport | Free, Pay |
| XYZprinting 3D Gallery | Free, Pay |
| 3DShook | Free, Pay |
1. Thingiverse
contains the largest database of 3D models for 3D printing online. The website has over 1 million STL files for download, making them one of the largest sites that offer free STL files for 3D printing.
The website is run by MakerBot Industries, who are the creators of Makerbot 3D printers.
Thingiverse has been around for quite some time and is very popular in the 3D printing hobbyists communities. Basically, anyone who has a 3D printer knows about this site.
On the website, you easily search for models to print. Each model has quite a lot of information, along with posts and comments from community members in many cases.
We highly recommend this site, whether you are looking for something specific to print, or if you are just looking for inspiration.
Thingiverse easily tops the list of top sites for downloading free STL files and free 3D models.
2. Hum3D
Founded in 2005 by industry-leading artists, Hum3D is dedicated to bringing you top-quality 3D Models for both enterprise and individual solutions.
The company specializes in custom 3D models for ADAS, the auto marketplace, gaming design, film, as well as for private consumers. Hum3D works with artists from over 80 countries, bringing the latest 3D models to the market.
The site boasts of the largest collection of 3D models for cars, with over 9000 vehicle models available for download. Other categories where the company shines include electronic and weapons 3D models. You can download free models or contact them for custom 3D modeling solutions.
3. CGTrader
If you want to buy and sell 3D models in different formats, CGTrader is the website for you. However, even if you just want free STL files for 3D printing, the website has over 1 million free models you can use. The only thing you have to do is to create a free account at CGTrader.
With over 2 million 3D designers connected, CGTrader boasts of a large network of knowledgeable and experienced users.
The company started in 2011 and has since grown enormously, thanks to the backing of large companies such as Intel, Microsoft, Nvidia and others.
With enormous popularity and a large database, CGTrader ranks third in our list of sites that offer free STL files for 3D printing.
4. MyMiniFactory
At MyMiniFactory, you can download over 50,000 free 3D printing models. This site focuses a lot on gaming models. Therefore, if you are into gaming miniatures, you may want to start here. Of course, you’ll need to have one of the best 3D printers for miniatures to get the best print quality.
MyMiniFactory works closely with iMakr, an online store focusing on 3D printers and accessories.
Launched in 2013, it has since grown just as the 3D industry has grown exponentially.
5. Cults
was started in 2014 and, today, has over 400,000 members worldwide. The site touts itself more as a social network for 3D modeling professionals than a company selling 3D printing files.
With a database of over 45,000 files to download, Cults is poised to be one of the major players in the 3D modeling industry.
This is a good resource for anyone looking for free STL files for 3D printing.
6. Free3D
With about 60,000 3D models, the collection held by Free3D has increased in popularity recently. At the website, you can search and download free STL files for 3D printing. Majority of the files are royalty-free!
To get started, simply create a free account at the website.
7. Pinshape
also offers free STL files for 3D printing. The site makes it easy to find, share and download high quality 3D models.
In 2016, Pinshape joined Formlabs, the company behind 3D printers such as Form 3, Form 2 and other 3D printers globally.
The website allows you to search and download thousands of 3D models for printing.
8. YouMagine
At YouMagine, you can upload and share your models with the community of 3D printing ethusiasts. . YouMagine is powered by Ultimaker, the company behind 3D printers such as Ultimaker 2 Plus, Ultimaker 3, and other 3D printers for high-end 3D printing.
YouMagine started in 2013 and has since grown enormously. At the moment, there are over 16,500 free 3D models you can download and 3D print.
9. 3DExport
specializes in the sale of quality 3D models for 3D printers. On the websites, there is also a selection of free 3D models that are mainly for jewelry and ornaments.
3DExports boasts of having over 300,000 3D models for printing. Prices of the models range from free to a few dollars.
10. XYZprinting 3D Gallery
XYZprinting, the company behind XYZprinting 3D printers, has a selection of many free STL files to download. You have to register as a user on the website to get access to the models.
While not so big and not so popular, XYZprinting 3D models gallery is worth checking out for ideas and inspiration of what to print.
11. 3DShook
Last on our list is 3DShook. This is a different player but worth mentioning .
Their process is based on registering as a paid user to have access to quality 3D printer files and 3D models. It costs about $15 per month to be a member, and there are different forms of membership.
There is also a trial period, during which you can browse the files on the website and decide whether they are worth paying for.
So, if you were wondering where to get 3D printing files, you have many choices. The above are the best sites where you can get free STL files for 3D printing. Do you know of any others that we have left out of the list? Let us know in the comment section below.
I’ve been using http://www.3dsolved.com as my main source for finding STL files. It’s somewhat similar to yeggi, but also aggregates more interesting sources and yields better results IMHO.