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Feed Rate Calculator for Milling

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 milling: formula, example and table

Vf = fz × z × n

fz is the feed per tooth in mm, z the number of teeth and n the rpm; Vf is the table feed in mm/min. The table uses a 4-flute cutter.

Worked example: Medium-carbon steel C45 / 1045, Ø12 mm, n 6101 rpm and fz 0.1 mm → Vf = 2440 mm/min.

With small radial engagement (ae below half the diameter) the real chip is thinner than the programmed fz: this is chip thinning, and fz must be raised so the tool cuts instead of rubbing. In full slotting use the fz from the table; in profiling at 10 % ae it can be more than doubled.

Mid-range values for coated carbide; roughing goes up, finishing goes down.
Materialfz (mm/tooth)n Ø12 (rpm)Vf Ø12 (mm/min)
Low-carbon steel S235 / St370.1272953502
Medium-carbon steel C45 / 10450.161012440
Alloy steel 42CrMo4 / 41400.0951731862
16MnCr5 carburizing steel0.0954381958
Austenitic stainless 304 / 1.43010.082520806
Austenitic stainless 316 / 1.44010.072122594
Martensitic stainless 420 / 1.40210.0738461077
Gray cast iron GG25 / EN-GJL-2500.1253052546
GGG50/EN-GJS-500 nodular cast iron0.1146422042
Aluminum 6082 / AlMgSi10.15112736764
Aluminum 7075 / AlZnMgCu0.13102125310
Brass CuZn39Pb30.192843714
Titanium Ti6Al4V0.061592382
Inconel 7180.05796159
Hardened steel 50-55 HRC0.043050488

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