CNC calculator & cutting data tools
Free tools for CNC practice: calculate spindle speed and feed, choose the right material and the appropriate cutter — directly in your browser, no registration required.
Material suitability and cutter selection at a glance
Which cutter type and which clamping suit which material? The table gives quick guidance.
| Material | Cutter type | Clamping | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Softwood | Upcut / downcut, sharp | Vacuum (sealed) or T-slot | High feeds, risk of tear-out at edges |
| Hardwood | Upcut, solid carbide | Vacuum or T-slot | Fire hazard: increase feed instead of reducing speed |
| MDF / chipboard | Compression cutter | Vacuum table | Dust extraction mandatory (fine dust) |
| Plastics (PMMA/POM) | Single-flute end mill | Vacuum / tape | Melting hazard: evacuate chips |
| Aluminium | 2-flute solid carbide, polished | T-slot / vice | Lubrication/mist coolant, rigid machine |
| Mild steel | Solid carbide, coated | Vice, very rigid | Cooling mandatory, small depth of cut |
Which calculator answers which question?
Most questions from the workshop can be assigned to one of the eleven calculators. This overview leads from the problem to the suitable tool.
| Your question | Calculator |
|---|---|
| Which speed and feed do I use? | Cutting data calculator |
| How fast may the drill rotate? | Drilling speed calculator |
| Which speed for turning instead of milling? | Spindle speed calculator (turning) |
| How long does the program run approximately? | Machining time calculator |
| How much material do I remove per minute? | Material removal rate calculator |
| How do I mill deep pockets gently? | Trochoidal and HSM calculator |
| What feed does my tap need? | Thread feed calculator (only for tapping; with thread milling the feed is not linked to the pitch) |
| Which path radius for circular pockets? | Tool path radius calculator |
| How deep must the V cutter be for the letter width? | V-carving calculator |
| How many parts do I get from one plate? | Plate utilisation calculator |
| What is the weight of the blank or the finished plate? | Material weight calculator |
Frequently asked questions about the CNC calculators
Are the calculators free to use?
Yes. All calculators are freely accessible, require no registration and run entirely in the browser. No input values are transmitted to a server.
Can I transfer the values directly to my machine?
The results are reference values for starting, not binding machine parameters. What is actually feasible depends on machine rigidity, spindle, tool condition, clamping and material. Start conservatively and increase step by step.
Which formulas are behind the calculators?
These are the standard machining formulas: cutting speed and spindle speed from the tool diameter, feed from feed per tooth, number of flutes and spindle speed. Each calculator page shows the formula used, so the result stays traceable.
Do I need the calculators if my CAM software can do this?
CAM software calculates with the values stored in its tool library. If these values are not maintained or a new tool is used, an independent calculator serves as a cross-check, especially when comparing two strategies.
Do the calculators also work on the smartphone?
Yes, all calculators are designed for use on a phone, which is usually the case in the workshop. The results can be copied and shared.
Do the calculators apply only to BZT machines?
No. The formulas are machine-independent and apply to every milling machine. What differs is the range in which the values can be usefully exploited, and that depends on the rigidity of the respective machine.
Learn more
Unsure which machine or tool suits your application? We are happy to advise you.
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