How to Get an Instant Quote from Xometry

To get an instant quote from Xometry, upload a 3D model or 2D drawing of your part to the Xometry Instant Quoting Engine® using a supported CAD format such as STEP, STP, SLDPRT, STL, DXF, IPT, X_T, X_B, 3DXML, CATPART, PRT, SAT, 3MF, or JT. The engine returns pricing based on your file, and you then configure process, material, and finishing options before placing an order. This works for one-off prototypes through high-volume production, and Xometry states that all uploads are secure and confidential.

What You Need Before Starting

• A part file in a supported format. The formats listed on Xometry's site are STEP, STP, SLDPRT, STL, DXF, IPT, X_T, X_B, 3DXML, CATPART, PRT, SAT, 3MF, and JT. If your CAD tool exports one of these, you can start without converting to a neutral format first.
• A clear idea of the process. Xometry quotes across CNC machining, 3D printing, sheet and tube fabrication, injection molding, and other capabilities. Knowing whether your part is machined, printed, cut, or molded helps you read the quote correctly.
• Material and finishing preferences (or a willingness to compare). Xometry states it supports virtually any metal or plastic material with finishing options, so the quote step is also where you narrow those choices.

Step-by-Step: From File to Quote

1. Open the Instant Quoting Engine and upload your file

Use the "Get an Instant Quote" entry point on xometry.com and upload your part file. The expected result is an automated price for the geometry you uploaded. Because the quote is generated from the file itself, an incomplete or simplified model will produce a quote for that simplified geometry — upload the model you actually intend to manufacture.

2. Select the manufacturing process

Choose the process that matches your design intent. For example, a prismatic metal bracket with tight tolerances points to CNC machining, while a lattice-filled prototype points to 3D printing. Xometry lists CNC milling (3/4/5-axis), CNC turning, CNC drilling, and wire EDM under CNC machining, and FDM, HP Multi Jet Fusion, selective laser sintering, stereolithography, PolyJet, Carbon DLS, and metal processes under additive manufacturing.

3. Choose material and finishing

Apply the material and finish your part requires. This is where the quote becomes comparable across options: the same geometry quoted in two materials or two finishes will give you different numbers, so run the combinations you are actually considering rather than only the cheapest one.

4. Review lead time and price, then order

The quote reflects the configuration you selected. If the number works, proceed to order; if not, adjust process, material, quantity, or finishing and re-quote. Quantity matters — Xometry positions the platform for both prototypes and high-volume production, so a one-off quote is not a reliable indicator of production pricing.

What the Quote Covers and What It Doesn't

The certifications matter if your part is regulated: ISO 13485 for medical devices, AS9100D for aerospace, and IATF 16949 for automotive are the relevant flags to check against your program's requirements before ordering.

Common Sticking Points

• Unsupported or broken file. If the upload fails, export again from your CAD system in STEP or STL, which are the most broadly compatible options on the list.
• Quote looks too low or too high. Check that the selected process matches the geometry — a part designed for machining but quoted as 3D printing will price very differently and may not meet tolerance.
• Tolerance and finish not reflected. The instant quote is driven by the file and your selections; if a critical feature needs a specific tolerance or surface finish, confirm it is captured in the configuration rather than assuming the default.
• Prototype price used for production planning. Re-quote at production quantities before committing to a unit cost.

When This Approach Fits

Use the instant-quote route when you have a manufacturable CAD file and want a fast price signal across processes or materials. If your part is not yet modeled, or the design depends on a process decision you haven't made, settle the geometry and process first — the quoting engine prices what you upload, not what you intend.