# How does Z-offset get calculated?

**URL:** <https://klipper.discourse.group/t/how-does-z-offset-get-calculated/11099>\
**Category:** General Discussion\
**Created:** [October 21, 2023, 2:22pm UTC](https://klipper.discourse.group/t/how-does-z-offset-get-calculated/11099 "2023-10-21T14:22:09Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![rspierenburg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e47c2d/32.png) [@rspierenburg](https://klipper.discourse.group/u/rspierenburg)\
**Post date:** [October 21, 2023, 2:22pm UTC](https://klipper.discourse.group/t/how-does-z-offset-get-calculated/11099/1 "2023-10-21T14:22:09Z")

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### Basic Information:

Printer Model: Ender 3  
 MCU / Printerboard: SKR Mini E3 V2.0  
[klippy.log](https://klipper.discourse.group/uploads/short-url/pBdwFAFiRv52mbZF01dwbsjMpyg.log) (1.2 MB)  
 `klippy.log`

_Fill out above information and_ **_in all cases attach your_ `klippy.log` _file_** (use zip to compress it, if too big). _Pasting your_ `printer.cfg` _is **not** needed_  
_ **Be sure to check our “Knowledge Base” Category first. Most relevant items, e.g. error messages, are covered there** _

### Describe your issue:

Just curious how the Z-Offset works. I started with a Z-Offset of 1.520 then using the Mainsail Z-offset tuning I dropped the nozzle to the bed by another 0.100 mm and saved, now the printer.cfg shows Z-Offset of 1.620? And when I print the 1st layers is worse than last time?

Robert

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**Author:** ![Sineos](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/klipper.discourse.group/sineos/32/18_2.png) [@Sineos](https://klipper.discourse.group/u/Sineos)\
**Post date:** [October 21, 2023, 3:34pm UTC](https://klipper.discourse.group/t/how-does-z-offset-get-calculated/11099/2 "2023-10-21T15:34:58Z")

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Actually quite simple:

- The Z-Offset is the amount Klipper needs to correct in order to compensate for the distance between probe tip and nozzle towards the bed
- Basically the amount Klipper needs to move the nozzle down to the bed
- As a consequence the bigger your Z-Offset is, the closer the nozzle is moved to the bed

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**Author:** ![rspierenburg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e47c2d/32.png) [@rspierenburg](https://klipper.discourse.group/u/rspierenburg)\
**Post date:** [October 21, 2023, 4:10pm UTC](https://klipper.discourse.group/t/how-does-z-offset-get-calculated/11099/3 "2023-10-21T16:10:10Z")

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Thanks so much for the quick response!

That seems counter intuitive. I also assumed it was the distance between the point the ABL probe retracts and the nozzle, so the greater the number the further the nozzle is from the bed.

But I also found out what my overall issue is. And that is in my start gcode I was asking Klipper to perform a Bed\_Mesh\_Calibrate but not loading it in after it was finished.

Going to run some more tests and see if its fixed.

Robert

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**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/free1/uploads/klipper/original/1X/64419bf2aac6639e6ef5cef200dcd456b0a01ac3.png) [@system](https://klipper.discourse.group/u/system)\
**Post date:** [December 20, 2023, 4:10pm UTC](https://klipper.discourse.group/t/how-does-z-offset-get-calculated/11099/4 "2023-12-20T16:10:18Z")

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