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Feed Rate Calculator for Turning

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 turning: 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 turning it is usually programmed per revolution (G95).

Worked example: Medium-carbon steel C45 / 1045, Ø50 mm, n 1464 rpm and f 0.28 mm → Vf = 410 mm/min.

On the lathe the feed is programmed per revolution (G95) and sets both the finish and the chip control: the insert has a working range in its chipbreaker, and below the minimum feed the chip comes out in long strings that wrap around the part. In roughing, the maximum feed is usually half the nose radius.

Mid-range values for coated carbide; roughing goes up, finishing goes down.
Materialf (mm/rev)n Ø50 (rpm)Vf Ø50 (mm/min)
Low-carbon steel S235 / St370.31751525
Medium-carbon steel C45 / 10450.281464410
Alloy steel 42CrMo4 / 41400.251241310
16MnCr5 carburizing steel0.251305326
Austenitic stainless 304 / 1.43010.221019224
Austenitic stainless 316 / 1.44010.2891178
Martensitic stainless 420 / 1.40210.2923185
Gray cast iron GG25 / EN-GJL-2500.31273382
GGG50/EN-GJS-500 nodular cast iron0.281114312
Aluminum 6082 / AlMgSi10.2544561114
Aluminum 7075 / AlZnMgCu0.223979875
Brass CuZn39Pb30.22228446
Titanium Ti6Al4V0.1538257
Inconel 7180.1222327
Hardened steel 50-55 HRC0.173273

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