🦶 5 min read
Elephant's Foot Fix
Is the bottom of your print bulging outward? Here's how to prevent and fix it.
What Is Elephant's Foot?
The first few layers bulge outward, creating a wider base than intended — like an elephant's foot.
✓ Correct
✗ Elephant's Foot
Root Causes
🔥 Bed Too Hot: Keeps first layers soft, weight squishes them outward.
📏 Nozzle Too Close: First layer gets squished wider than intended.
💧 Over-Extrusion: High first layer flow makes the base wider.
Prevention
Lower bed temp by 5°C — reduces base softness
Raise Z-offset by 0.02-0.04mm — less squish
Reduce first layer flow to 100% — no over-extrusion
Enable part cooling at layer 2 — helps layers set faster
Slicer Compensation
Modern slicers have elephant's foot compensation that shrinks the first layer outline inward.
| Slicer | Setting Location |
|---|---|
| PrusaSlicer | Print Settings → Advanced |
| Cura | Shell → Initial Layer Horizontal Expansion (negative) |
| OrcaSlicer | Quality → Elephant foot compensation |
💡 Starting value: 0.1-0.2mm compensation works for most printers. Measure your actual overhang and adjust to match.
Post-Processing Fixes
🔧 Sanding: 120-220 grit, sand at an angle
🔪 Knife: Shave off minor bulges carefully
📐 Raft: Foot happens on raft, not your part
🔥 Heat (ABS): Heat gun to smooth base
TL;DR Quick Fixes
- 1. Lower bed temp by 5°C
- 2. Raise Z-offset by 0.02-0.04mm
- 3. Enable slicer compensation (0.1-0.2mm)
- 4. Reduce first layer flow to 100%