Free Engineering Tool
Calculate feed rate for milling, turning and drilling from spindle RPM and feed per tooth or feed per revolution, in metric or imperial units.
Use this calculator after spindle speed has been selected. It translates RPM and chip load into the feed command needed for the operation.
Feed rate is the distance a cutting tool advances through the workpiece per minute, also called table feed, Vf or feed speed, and is normally expressed in mm/min or inches per minute. For milling, feed rate = spindle RPM × number of teeth × feed per tooth; for turning and drilling, feed rate = RPM × feed per revolution. Feed per tooth is commonly called chip load, while feed per revolution describes the advance during one rotation. A 1,200 RPM, four-tooth cutter at 0.08 mm per tooth produces 384 mm/min. In a real process, radial and axial engagement, chip thinning, cutter diameter, overhang, coolant, material condition and machine acceleration change the safe feed. Use the tool supplier's chip-load range as the starting point. Zhejiang Balford Mechatronics Co., Ltd. reviews machining routes within its 12,000 m² production facility and validates critical set-ups with trial cuts.
Feed rate must be matched to the actual radial and axial engagement, chip thinning, coolant, tool overhang and machine capability. Confirm the cutter supplier's chip-load range before production.
The operation defines whether feed is entered per tooth or per revolution. Spindle RPM then converts that geometry into feed per minute.
| Operation | Typical input range | Condition |
|---|---|---|
| Turning, finishing | 0.05–0.15 mm/rev | Light depth, acceptable finish |
| Turning, medium | 0.15–0.35 mm/rev | General roughing/finishing route |
| Turning, roughing | 0.25–0.60 mm/rev | Rigid set-up and adequate power |
| Milling, finishing | 0.02–0.08 mm/tooth | Cutter and engagement dependent |
| Milling, general | 0.05–0.15 mm/tooth | Starting range only |
| Drilling, small hole | 0.05–0.15 mm/rev | Diameter and drill type dependent |
Broad shop starting ranges, not material-specific recommendations. Confirm with the exact tool supplier's speed-and-feed data.
A four-tooth end mill runs at 1,200 RPM with 0.08 mm feed per tooth. Feed rate = 1,200 × 4 × 0.08 = 384 mm/min. The corresponding feed is about 15.1 in/min. At the same RPM, a turning operation using 0.20 mm/rev has a feed rate of 240 mm/min.
For milling, feed rate = spindle RPM × number of teeth × feed per tooth. For turning and drilling, feed rate = spindle RPM × feed per revolution. The result is normally expressed in mm/min or inches per minute, depending on the feed-dimension unit.
Feed per tooth, or chip load, is the advance of one cutting edge per revolution. Feed rate is the total distance the tool moves per minute. In milling they are related by feed rate = RPM × teeth × feed per tooth.
Feed per revolution is the distance the tool advances during one spindle revolution. Turning and drilling usually use this input; feed rate is calculated by multiplying feed per revolution by spindle RPM.
At fixed feed per tooth or feed per revolution, yes: feed rate rises in direct proportion to RPM. In a real process, chip load and cutting speed must be selected together. Raising RPM without reducing chip load can overload the tool, spindle or workpiece.
Use it as a starting calculation, then check radial and axial depth of cut, chip thinning, cutter length, workholding, coolant and machine acceleration limits. The final feed rate should be proven with a trial cut and the tool supplier's speed-and-feed data.
Send the operation, material, cutter or drill, spindle speed, chip-load target and machine details. Send the drawing to shawn@balford.net. We normally reply within 24 hours, China Standard Time.