How to pause at a layer in Cura to change filament

In UltiMaker Cura, open Extensions, Post Processing, Modify G-Code, add the Filament Change script (M600) or Pause at height, and enter the layer from Cura's preview. Filament Change takes the first new-color layer; Pause at height takes the layer before it.

Used with: Marlin printers such as the Ender-3, Ender-5 and Artillery Sidewinder, or any printer you slice in Cura. Checked against Cura 5.13 (September 2026).

Add the pause in Cura

  1. 1

    Find the layer number

    Slice, open Preview, and drag the layer slider to the first layer that prints only the new color. Note its number: Cura's preview counts from 1.

  2. 2

    Open the post-processing scripts

    Go to Extensions → Post Processing → Modify G-Code, then click Add a script.

  3. 3

    Add Filament Change (for printers with M600)

    Choose Filament Change and enter the first new-color layer from the preview in Layer. The change happens at the start of that layer.

  4. 4

    Or add Pause at height (for other printers)

    Choose Pause at height, set Pause at to Layer Number, and enter the last layer of the old color in Pause Layer: one less than the number you noted. Set Method to Marlin (M0) for most Marlin printers.

  5. 5

    Close and slice again

    Close the window and slice. The script runs when the G-code is saved; it doesn't show in the preview.

Not sure which layer? Pick the first layer of the new color. How to find it.

The pause command

Which script to use depends on the firmware:

Marlin with filament change enabled (most recent printers with a screen)Filament Change (M600)
Marlin without itPause at height, Method Marlin (M0)
KlipperNeither works out of the box; use OrcaSlicer with PAUSE instead

Swap the filament at the printer

Start the print with the first color loaded. When it reaches the pause:

  1. 6

    Wait for the pause

    The printer parks the toolhead. With Filament Change it unloads and asks for new filament; with Pause at height it waits.

  2. 7

    Swap the filament

    Load the new color and purge until it comes out clean. With Pause at height, use the printer's filament change or move menu to unload and load.

  3. 8

    Resume

    Remove the purged strand without touching the print, then continue from the printer's screen.

Remove a pause

Open Extensions → Post Processing → Modify G-Code and click the × next to the script. Scripts stay on for every later slice until you remove them.

Tips and common problems

  • Pause at height and Filament Change count layers differently. Filament Change wants the first new-color layer; Pause at height wants the last old-color layer (its hint that "0 is the first layer" is misleading).
  • Post-processing scripts stay active for every file you slice afterwards. Remove them when you're done.
  • Cura 5.14 renames some of the Pause at height fields (Pause at End of layer(s), Pause Command); the steps are the same.

Common questions

What layer do I enter in Cura's Pause at height?
Set Pause at to Layer Number and enter the last layer of the old color as Cura's preview numbers it. The pause happens after that layer finishes, right before the new color starts.
Pause at height or Filament Change in Cura?
Filament Change sends M600, which walks you through unloading and loading on printers that support it. Pause at height just stops (M0 on Marlin) and works on more printers, but you swap the filament through the printer's menus yourself.