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Machining Time Calculator

Work out machining time instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.

About Machining Time Calculator

Cutting time is travel divided by feed rate, repeated for each pass. Travel is more than the part length: the tool must approach the work and clear it at the end, and on short cuts that allowance can dominate the cycle, which is why nibbling many shallow passes is often slower than one heavier cut.

Formula

Machining time

T = (length + approach) x passes / feed rate

Worked example

With the default values below, Machining Time Calculator returns Total cutting time of 1.563. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.

Inputs used

Length of cutminimum 0.01 in
6 in
Feed rateminimum 0.01 in/min
12 in/min
Number of passesminimum 1
3
Approach and overtravel per passminimum 0 in
0.25 in

Results

Total cutting time
1.563 min
Total cutting time
93.8 s
Time per pass
0.521 min
Parts per hour at this cut
38.4

Step by step

  1. 1Values used
  2. 2Machining time
  3. 3Total cutting time= 1.563 min
  4. 4Total cutting time= 93.8 s
  5. 5Time per pass= 0.521 min
  6. 6Parts per hour at this cut= 38.4

Assumptions and limits

  • The result is derived only from the 4 inputs listed above. Anything not among them is not part of the calculation.
  • In particular, this calculator does not take inflation, tax or compounding frequency into account.
  • Figures are rounded for display to 3 decimal places, so totals built from several rounded parts can differ slightly from the unrounded arithmetic.

How these calculators are built and tested is described on the Methodology page. If a figure looks wrong, please report it.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is the Machining Time figure worked out?

T = (length + approach) x passes / feed rate. Cutting time is travel divided by feed rate, repeated for each pass.

Does this include tool changes and loading?

No. It is cutting time only. Full cycle time adds rapid moves, tool changes and part handling, which frequently exceed the time spent actually cutting.

What values do I need to enter?

This calculator takes 4 inputs: Length of cut, Feed rate, Number of passes, Approach and overtravel per pass. The pre-filled defaults are a realistic worked example — replace them with your own site or project figures.

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Machining Time Calculator – Calculate Total cutting time