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Feed Rate Calculator for Drilling

Optimize your machining processes with our online cutting parameters calculator. Select the operation type (turning, milling, drilling or threading) and instantly get the critical calculations for your shop: cutting speed (Vc), revolutions per minute (RPM), feed per revolution or per tooth, machining time and the theoretical roughness (Ra / Rz) based on the insert nose radius. To fine-tune those values live at the machine, use the interactive machining calculator.

Cutting calculator

Material, power and warnings

Pick material and tool: that gives you the Vc and feed ranges, and also whether your machine can take the cut.

Power, torque and warnings

RPM and feed only tell you how fast it spins. This tells you whether your machine can take it: metal removal rate, the power you have to ask of the spindle, torque and the process warnings that usually cost you a tool.

Pick a material above to estimate power: the specific cutting force depends on it.

Fill in material, diameter, Vc/RPM and feed to see the power.

Rough estimate: kc1.1 is defined per material family and the tool's real geometry matters. Use it to decide whether a cut fits the machine, not as a substitute for a dry run.

Do you want to adjust these values live?

Here you get the recommendation (Vc, feed, roughness, threading). In the interactive machining calculator you can move Vc, diameter, RPM and feed with linked scales, locks and time/power estimation.

Open interactive calculator →

Feed rate in drilling: formula, example and table

Vf = f × n

f is the feed per revolution in mm/rev and n the rpm; Vf is the feed in mm/min. In drilling it is usually programmed per revolution (G95).

Worked example: Medium-carbon steel C45 / 1045, Ø10 mm, n 5348 rpm and f 0.18 mm → Vf = 963 mm/min.

In drilling the feed per revolution grows with the drill diameter and is what forms the chip: if it is too low, the drill rubs and work-hardens the material, especially in stainless steel. In holes deeper than 3×D without through-coolant use a peck cycle (G83) to clear the chips.

Mid-range values for coated carbide; roughing goes up, finishing goes down.
Materialf (mm/rev)n Ø10 (rpm)Vf Ø10 (mm/min)
Low-carbon steel S235 / St370.264301286
Medium-carbon steel C45 / 10450.185348963
Alloy steel 42CrMo4 / 41400.164552728
16MnCr5 carburizing steel0.164775764
Austenitic stainless 304 / 1.43010.123724447
Austenitic stainless 316 / 1.44010.13279328
Martensitic stainless 420 / 1.40210.113374371
Gray cast iron GG25 / EN-GJL-2500.2246791029
GGG50/EN-GJS-500 nodular cast iron0.24074815
Aluminum 6082 / AlMgSi10.25163934098
Aluminum 7075 / AlZnMgCu0.22146423221
Brass CuZn39Pb30.282121642
Titanium Ti6Al4V0.081401112
Inconel 7180.0682850
Hardened steel 50-55 HRC0.052706135

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