3D Printer Extruder Calibration — Simple and Correct Method

What is Extruder Calibration

Extruder calibration is checking how much filament the printer actually feeds when told to feed, for example, 100 mm.

Why do this at all

If the extruder is calibrated incorrectly, problems appear:

• thin or torn walls
• plastic blobs
• unstable printing
• Flow settings don't give normal results

Extruder calibration is the foundation, without which further tuning is almost useless.

Important point about nozzle and material

Many instructions suggest running filament through a hot nozzle. This works, but gives inaccuracy.

• different plastics melt differently
• nozzle creates resistance
• possible slippage and clogging

Therefore, the most accurate and recommended method is to calibrate the extruder without the nozzle to check only the feed mechanics. Flow is tuned later and separately.

What you'll need

• ruler or caliper
• marker
• access to extruder control (Marlin or Klipper)

No need to heat the hotend if filament comes out freely.

Step-by-step instructions

Step 1. Prepare the printer

1. Remove the nozzle or disconnect the Bowden tube from the hotend
2. Main thing: filament should come out freely, without resistance

Step 2. Find the current extruder value

• Marlin: parameter E-steps (steps/mm)
  Can be found in printer menu: Configuration → Steps/mm → E-steps, or send M503 command to terminal
• Klipper: parameter rotation_distance
  Located in printer.cfg file in [extruder] section

If you haven't changed it before — use the current value.

Step 3. Mark the filament

1. measure 100 mm from the extruder output
2. put a clear mark with the marker

Step 4. Feed the filament

1. give the extruder command to feed exactly 100 mm
2. use slow speed
3. wait for the command to complete

Step 5. Measure the result

See where the mark ended up: if the mark is exactly at the output — everything is perfect; if 10 mm remains — 90 mm was fed; if the mark went inside — more than 100 mm was fed. Record the actual feed length.

FlashForge Adventurer 5M

• In stock firmware, extruder access is limited
• If Klipper Screen or custom firmware is installed — calibration is done the same as for regular Klipper

If access is blocked — extruder cannot be calibrated, only Flow is used.

What to do next

1. After extruder calibration, put the nozzle back in place
2. Only after that, tune:
   • Flow
   • Pressure Advance / Linear Advance

Summary

• Extruder is calibrated by mechanics, without nozzle
• Material and temperature don't matter here
• Flow is a separate setting, not a replacement for extruder calibration
• Once done calibration works long and stable

If the printer feeds filament accurately — printing becomes noticeably better.