Meet the CNC Machining Cost & Time Estimator
Estimate CNC milling cost and time: stock size and material, removal rate, finishing area, setups, programming, machine and operator rates, tool wear.
- Free to use
- No signup
- Nothing to install
- Runs in your browser
Illustration. Open the tool for the real thing.
See it in action
Sample input: Stock length (mm) = 100; Stock width (mm) = 60; Stock height (mm) = 25; Finished part volume (cm³) = 60
What is the CNC Machining Cost & Time Estimator?
Quoting a machined part means answering four questions: how much material, how long on the machine, how much setup and programming, and what margin. This estimator builds the answer from the physical basics. Give the stock size and finished part volume and it computes the material removed; divide by a roughing removal rate for your material (pre-filled for aluminium, steel, stainless, titanium, brass, copper, plastics and wood) for the roughing time; add finishing time from the surface area to finish and a rate in cm²/min; then extra operations, loading and inspection.
Setup time per setup, number of setups and CAM programming hours are spread over the batch, so the quantity table shows exactly how the price per part falls from one piece to hundreds. Machine and operator rates, operator attendance, tool wear, outside finishing, material waste, overhead and profit margin turn it into a selling price with a full breakdown. It is a planning model with transparent assumptions — change any number to match your shop.
3 steps to your result
Open the tool and follow along. Nothing to install.
What you get
Stock − part volume ÷ roughing MRR plus finishing area ÷ finishing rate.
Setups, programming and fixture time spread across the batch.
Table of price per part for 1 to 250 pieces.
Material, machine, labour, tooling, finishing, overhead and margin.
AZRS tools are free to open and use.
It opens in your browser, so there is nothing to download.
Used for
Pick one to see how it fits.
How it compares
A plain look at this tool next to the usual alternative.
| This engineering calculator | Desktop software | |
|---|---|---|
| Install | Nothing to install | Usually an app or program to install |
| Account | No signup | Depends on the product |
| Cost | Free to use | Free or paid, depends on the product |
| Where it runs | In your browser tab | On your computer |
Questions people ask
How accurate is it?
It is a planning model; real quotes depend on toolpaths, fixturing and tolerance.
Where do I get part volume?
From CAD mass properties or the STL viewer.
What MRR should I use?
Defaults are conservative for a small VMC; use your tool maker's cutting data.
Does it include 5-axis?
No — it is a 3-axis milling model; raise machine rate and setups for 5-axis.
How do I use the CNC Machining Cost & Time Estimator?
1. Pick the material and enter stock and part volume. 2. Set finishing area, extra operations and setups. 3. Adjust machine, operator and margin rates. 4. Read the price per part and quantity table.
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Estimate CNC milling time, cost per part and price vs quantity. Free to use.
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