Cura Slicer Download – Free UltiMaker Cura 5.13 for Windows, Mac & Linux

Cura Slicer (officially UltiMaker Cura) is the free 3D printing software that turns a 3D model into the step-by-step instructions your printer follows. It is the most widely used slicer for hobby FDM printers. It works with Creality Ender 3 machines, Anycubic, Elegoo, Prusa and UltiMaker printers, and hundreds more. This page gives you a direct Cura download for every operating system. It also covers what changed in Cura 5.13, the system requirements, a beginner-friendly tutorial, proven starting settings for PLA and PETG, and fixes for the most common problems.

What is Cura Slicer?

A 3D printer can't read an STL or 3MF file directly. It needs G-code, a long list of movement, temperature and extrusion commands. A slicer creates that G-code by cutting your model into hundreds of thin horizontal layers. It then plans the walls, infill, supports and travel moves for each layer.

Cura is a slicer of this kind. It was originally created by developer David Braam and is now developed by UltiMaker, the company formed when Ultimaker and MakerBot merged. The desktop application is built on the Uranium framework and is released under the open-source LGPLv3 licence. The slicing core, CuraEngine, is licensed under AGPLv3. Because the code is open, many printer brands ship their own rebranded builds, such as older "Creality Slicer" and "Elegoo Cura" editions. Most of those builds lag behind the current release, so downloading UltiMaker Cura itself gets you the newest features and fixes.

Cura has two modes. Recommended mode exposes a handful of simple controls: quality profile, infill, support and adhesion. Custom mode unlocks over 400 individual settings for experienced users. This mix is why Cura is often called the best slicer for beginners that still has room to grow.

What's new in Cura 5.13

Cura 5.13.0, released on May 28, 2026, is the current stable version. Its main changes are:

• Lightning support infill. The ultra-light "Lightning" pattern can now be used inside supports, with new controls for support lightning angle, overhang angle, prune angle and straightening angle. It saves material and makes supports easier to remove.
• Support infill line multiplier. Adds extra support infill lines where you need stronger supports.
• Top surface temperature delta. Prints the top skin at a different temperature for a smoother, glossier finish.
• Infill start/end preferences. Lets you choose where infill begins and ends, for shorter toolpaths.
• Initial layer wall ordering and new retract before outer wall options, for cleaner first layers and fewer blobs on visible surfaces.
• Minimum hole area in support brim. Filters out tiny useless holes in the support brim.
• New printer: native profiles for the UltiMaker Factor 4 Plus.
• Fixes: slicing no longer fails when you combine a raft with lightning support infill. Tree supports no longer lose their interface layers, and the "overhanging wall speed" bug that caused very slow prints is gone. 3MF projects with invalid setting combinations also load correctly now.

Coming next: Cura 5.14 (beta)

Cura 5.14.0-beta.1 was published on October 15, 2026. It introduces Paint-on Support, which lets you brush areas onto the model where supports must, or must never, be generated. It also adds a new tabbed settings layout, distinct preview colours for overhangs and bridges, and an experimental native Windows on ARM build. Betas can contain bugs, so we recommend the stable 5.13.0 unless you want to test new features. Both are linked on our download page.

Key features of UltiMaker Cura

Hundreds of ready-made printer profiles

Cura includes tested machine definitions for UltiMaker, Creality (Ender 3, Ender 3 V2, Ender 3 S1, Ender 5, CR-10 and more), Anycubic, Elegoo, Artillery, Prusa, Flashforge, Voron and many other brands. Pick your printer from the list and the build volume, nozzle size and start G-code are filled in for you.

Recommended and Custom modes

Beginners can print in a couple of clicks with Recommended mode. Advanced users can switch to Custom mode and set the visibility to Basic, Advanced, Expert or a custom set, so only the settings you care about are shown.

Intent profiles

On supported printers, intent profiles tune settings for a purpose: Visual for looks, Engineering for dimensional accuracy, and Draft for speed. You choose the outcome instead of adjusting dozens of values.

Tree supports, normal supports and support blockers

Tree supports grow branch-like structures that touch the model only where needed. They use less material and leave cleaner surfaces. Support blockers and the new paint-on support tool (5.14 beta) give you exact control over where supports go.

Adaptive layers, ironing and fuzzy skin

Adaptive layer height automatically uses thinner layers on curved areas and thicker layers on vertical walls. Ironing smooths flat top surfaces. Fuzzy skin adds a textured, grippy finish.

Per-model settings and modifier meshes

You can give one object different infill, walls or supports from the rest of the build plate. You can also place a modifier mesh to make just one region of a part stronger.

Marketplace plugins and material profiles

The built-in Marketplace offers free plugins and manufacturer material profiles that install with one click. Examples include Settings Guide, Calibration Shapes, Auto-Orientation and Cylindric Custom Supports.

CAD integration

Plugins connect Cura to SOLIDWORKS, Siemens NX, Autodesk Inventor and other CAD tools. You can also open STEP files via UltiMaker Digital Factory, so you can send designs straight to the slicer.

Cross-platform and multi-extruder

Cura runs on Windows, macOS (Intel and Apple Silicon) and Linux. It handles dual-extrusion and multi-material printers with per-extruder settings, prime towers and ooze shields.

Cura system requirements

Cura is not a heavy program, but its 3D layer preview needs a reasonably modern graphics driver. These are UltiMaker's official minimum and recommended specifications:

Cura Slicer download and installation guide

Go to our Cura download page and click the button for your operating system. Every button links directly to the official installer hosted on UltiMaker's GitHub releases, so you always get the genuine, unmodified file.

Install Cura on Windows 10 / 11

1. Download UltiMaker-Cura-5.13.0-win64-X64.exe (about 158 MB). An .msi package is also available for IT departments.
2. Double-click the file. If Windows SmartScreen appears, click More info → Run anyway.
3. Accept the licence agreement, keep the default install folder and click Install.
4. Launch UltiMaker Cura 5.13.0 from the Start menu. Cura installs side by side with older versions, so your previous version stays until you uninstall it.

Install Cura on Mac (Intel & Apple Silicon)

1. Pick the right build. Choose ARM64 for M1, M2, M3 or M4 Macs, or X64 for older Intel Macs. To check, open Apple menu → About This Mac.
2. Open the downloaded .dmg and drag UltiMaker Cura into the Applications folder.
3. The first time you open it, macOS may ask for confirmation. Click Open, or approve it under System Settings → Privacy & Security.

Install Cura on Linux

1. Download UltiMaker-Cura-5.13.0-linux-X64.AppImage.
2. Make it executable: right-click → Properties → Permissions → Allow executing, or run chmod +x UltiMaker-Cura-5.13.0-linux-X64.AppImage.
3. Run it with a double-click or ./UltiMaker-Cura-5.13.0-linux-X64.AppImage. On Ubuntu 22.04 and newer you may need sudo apt install libfuse2 first.
4. Cura is also packaged as a Flatpak on Flathub, if you prefer automatic updates through your software centre.

How to use Cura: step-by-step tutorial for beginners

Step 1: Add your 3D printer

On first launch Cura asks you to sign in to an UltiMaker account. This is optional, so you can click Skip. Then choose Add a non-networked printer, expand your brand (for example Creality3D) and select your model. Check the Machine Settings: build volume, nozzle size (usually 0.4 mm), filament diameter (1.75 mm for most printers) and heated bed. If your printer isn't listed, choose Custom → Custom FFF printer and enter these values manually.

Step 2: Learn the interface

The screen has three stages along the top: Prepare, Preview and Monitor. The left toolbar has the Move, Scale, Rotate, Mirror, Per-model settings and Support blocker tools. The top bar shows your printer, material and nozzle. The print settings panel opens from the top-right.

Step 3: Import and position your model

Click the folder icon or drag an STL, OBJ or 3MF file onto the build plate. Use Rotate → Lay flat or Select face to align to build plate so the biggest flat side faces down. A good orientation reduces the supports you need and makes the print stronger.

Step 4: Choose print settings

In Recommended mode, pick a profile (for example Standard Quality – 0.2 mm), set infill to about 15–20%, turn on Support if the model has overhangs steeper than about 45°, and enable Adhesion to add a brim or skirt. Click Custom when you want full control.

Step 5: Slice and preview

Click Slice. Cura estimates print time and filament weight and length. Open the Preview tab and drag the layer slider to inspect each layer. Look for missing walls, gaps or unsupported areas before you print. Turn on Compatibility mode if the preview looks wrong on older graphics cards.

Step 6: Export and print

Click Save to Disk or Save to Removable Drive to write the .gcode file to an SD card or USB stick. Printers connected via OctoPrint, Klipper/Moonraker or UltiMaker Digital Factory can receive the job directly over the network.

Best Cura settings for PLA and PETG

Cura's default profiles are deliberately conservative. They print reliably but are rarely optimal. The table below lists proven starting values for a typical 0.4 mm nozzle. Always check the temperature range printed on your filament spool, then fine-tune with a temperature tower and a retraction test.

Cura for Ender 3 and other Creality printers

The Creality Ender 3 family is the most common printer paired with Cura. Current Cura releases include built-in profiles for the Ender 3, Ender 3 Pro, Ender 3 V2, Ender 3 S1 / S1 Pro and Ender 5 series. To set one up:

1. Go to Settings → Printer → Add printer → Add a non-networked printer → Creality3D and choose your exact model.
2. Open Machine Settings and confirm the build volume (220 × 220 × 250 mm for the classic Ender 3), and set the nozzle to 0.4 mm.
3. The stock Ender 3 and V2 use a Bowden extruder, so start with 5–6 mm retraction. The S1 series uses direct drive, so start around 0.8–1 mm.
4. If you have a BLTouch or CR Touch, add G29 (or M420 S1 to load a saved mesh) after G28 in the start G-code.

The same approach works for Anycubic Kobra, Elegoo Neptune, Artillery Sidewinder and similar printers. Select the built-in profile if one exists, or clone the closest one and adjust the bed size.

How to use tree supports in Cura

Tree supports are one of the best reasons to use Cura. To turn them on:

1. Switch the print settings to Custom and set the setting visibility to All.
2. Tick Generate Support, then set Support Structure to Tree.
3. Set Support Placement to Touching Build Plate if you want to avoid supports resting on the model surface.
4. Adjust Branch Diameter (about 2–3 mm) and Branch Angle (40–50°). Use a smaller Support Z Distance for better overhang quality, or a larger one for easier removal.

Tree supports are ideal for figurines, miniatures and organic shapes. For large flat overhangs, Normal supports, now available with the Lightning infill pattern in 5.13, are often more stable.

Best Cura plugins from the Marketplace

Open the Marketplace with the button in the top-right corner. Popular free plugins include:

• Settings Guide: explains every setting with pictures when you hover over it. Ideal for learning Custom mode.
• Calibration Shapes: temperature towers, retraction tests and calibration cubes.
• Auto-Orientation: finds the orientation that needs the fewest supports.
• Cylindric Custom Supports: lets you place individual supports by hand.
• OctoPrint Connection and Moonraker Connection: send prints straight to OctoPrint or Klipper.
• Post Processing scripts (built in): pause at height for filament changes, change temperature per layer, and more.

Cura vs PrusaSlicer vs OrcaSlicer

Cura isn't the only free slicer, so how does it compare in 2026?

Our verdict: if you're new to 3D printing or own a Creality, Anycubic, Elegoo or UltiMaker machine, Cura remains the easiest place to start. It has the largest community, so almost every problem has a documented fix. Power users who want automatic calibration may also want to try OrcaSlicer, and many makers keep both installed.

Cura troubleshooting: common problems and fixes

Cura won't open or crashes on startup

This is usually a graphics driver problem. Update your GPU driver from Intel, AMD or NVIDIA. On laptops with two GPUs, force Cura to use the dedicated graphics card. If it still crashes, delete or rename the configuration folder (%APPDATA%\cura on Windows, ~/Library/Application Support/cura on Mac) to reset Cura.

"Unable to slice" error

Check that the model fits inside the build volume and isn't grey-striped (outside the printable area). Also check that no setting is highlighted in red. Overlapping or broken meshes can be repaired with the free Mesh Tools plugin.

Stringing

Increase retraction distance in 0.5 mm steps, lower the printing temperature by 5 °C, and set Combing Mode to "Not in skin". Wet filament also causes stringing, so dry PETG and TPU before printing.

Poor bed adhesion and warping

Re-level the bed, clean it with isopropyl alcohol, slow the first layer to 20 mm/s, add a brim, and turn the cooling fan off for the first 2–3 layers. For PETG and ABS, raise the bed temperature.

Under-extrusion or gaps in walls

Make sure Material Diameter matches your filament (1.75 mm). Calibrate your extruder E-steps, and increase Flow by 2–5% if needed.

Layer preview shows nothing

Your GPU may not support OpenGL 4.1. Enable Preferences → General → Compatibility mode and restart Cura.

Is it safe to download Cura from this site?

Yes. CuraSlicerr does not host modified installers. Every download button on our download page links directly to the original files on the official UltiMaker Cura GitHub releases page. These are the same installers that UltiMaker distributes. Avoid sites that bundle Cura with "download managers" or ask you to disable your antivirus. Genuine Cura never needs either.

Frequently asked questions

Last updated: October 18, 2026 · Information is checked against UltiMaker's official release notes and support documentation.