Cutting speed (Vc) is the relative surface speed between a cutting edge and the workpiece, usually expressed in metres per minute (m/min) or surface feet per minute (ft/min, SFM). It is not spindle speed in rpm or feed rate. To choose Vc, start with the cutting-tool manufacturer’s data for the specific workpiece material, tool, and operation, then account for diameter, engagement, and setup stability.
What is cutting speed (Vc)?
Vc describes how quickly the cutting edge moves across the surface being cut. In turning, it refers to the workpiece surface passing the tool; in milling and drilling, it describes the cutting speed at the tool’s cutting diameter. The usual units are m/min or ft/min (SFM).
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Vc is distinct from spindle speed. Spindle speed, written as n, is the number of spindle revolutions per minute (rpm). The same Vc requires a different rpm at different diameters: a smaller diameter must rotate faster to produce the same surface speed. Sandvik Coromant documents the turning relationship between surface speed, machined diameter, and spindle rpm in its turning formulas and definitions.
How do I calculate spindle speed from cutting speed?
Use the cutting speed and the diameter at the cutting interface. For turning, use the machined diameter; for milling or drilling, use the tool’s cutting diameter for the applicable calculation.
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- Metric: n (rpm) = [Vc (m/min) × 1000] / [π × D (mm)]
- Inch units: n (rpm) = [Vc (ft/min) × 12] / [π × D (in)]
Here, D is the relevant diameter and π is approximately 3.1416. The factor 1000 converts metres to millimetres; 12 converts feet to inches.
Formula example (arithmetic only)
If Vc is 100 m/min and the cutting diameter is 10 mm, n = (100 × 1000) / (π × 10), or approximately 3,183 rpm. This calculation demonstrates the formula only; it does not mean 100 m/min is suitable for any particular tool, material, machine, or operation.
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Haas Automation’s Indexable Drills, Speeds and Feeds, Inch provides the inch-unit cutting-speed and spindle-speed relationships in its drill guide.
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There is no single Vc that is right for every material or CNC setup. Use the toolmaker’s cutting-data chart or calculator for the exact tool and operation, and treat its recommended speed as a starting point under the stated conditions.
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- Identify the workpiece material and condition. Check the material description and, where relevant, hardness. Find the material group used by the toolmaker rather than relying on a broad label such as “steel.”
- Match the tool and operation. Look up the tool family, grade, geometry, and diameter, along with whether the work is turning, milling, or drilling. Data for one tool or operation should not be assumed to apply to another.
- Read the full recommendation. Separate Vc from feed per tooth or feed per revolution, and note whether the listed speed is a minimum, starting value, or maximum. Check any stated assumptions or adjustment factors.
- Account for engagement and stability. Radial and axial engagement, rigidity, and cut stability can affect appropriate cutting conditions. For milling, consult the toolmaker’s engagement guidance; do not apply a speed or feed adjustment from one product family as a universal rule.
- Start within the recommended range and assess the cut. Consider chip formation, tool wear, finish, sound, and machine load while staying within the tool and machine limits. Make adjustments using the maker’s data and the actual behavior of the setup.
Example: a product-specific milling value
Kennametal’s GOmill PRO metric data for regular-tool side milling in material group P5 lists a Vc range of 60–100 m/min, with 80 m/min as the starting value. The table also gives feed recommendations by diameter and says to reduce feed per tooth by 20% for slotting. Those figures apply to the named GOmill PRO family and its stated conditions—not to every steel, end mill, or milling setup. See the GOmill PRO technical data for the relevant chart and engagement factors.
Why recommendations may differ
Before comparing two cutting-speed figures, align the conditions they describe:
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- Workpiece material group and hardness
- Tool material, coating, geometry, and diameter
- Operation and toolpath
- Radial and axial engagement
- Machine and setup rigidity, including interrupted or unstable cutting
- Whether the figure is a minimum, starting recommendation, or maximum
If these conditions or the units differ, the numbers are not directly comparable. Manufacturer tables are recommendations with defined assumptions, not a guarantee that a given speed will produce a particular tool life or productivity outcome.
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No. Vc is the relative surface speed at the cut; feed describes how quickly the tool advances through the work. Toolmaker charts list them separately—for example, Vc alongside feed per tooth for milling or feed per revolution for drilling and turning. A correct spindle speed does not determine the correct feed by itself.
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Engagement may call for separate adjustments to speed and feed. Use the guidance for the specific tool and operation instead of changing feed simply because Vc or rpm changed.
How should I handle unstable or interrupted cuts?
Cutting data commonly assumes particular conditions. Haas says the speed values in its indexable-drill guide are for stable conditions and recommends reducing its starting speed by 10% for unstable conditions and by 20% for interrupted cuts. These percentages are specific to that Haas guide; they are not universal adjustment rules for every tool or operation. Consult the applicable toolmaker guidance when the cut is unstable, interrupted, or otherwise differs from the chart’s assumptions.
Quick Recap
Quick checklist for selecting Vc
- Confirm the workpiece material group and condition.
- Use data for the exact tool family, grade, geometry, diameter, and operation.
- Convert Vc to rpm using the diameter at the cutting interface and consistent units.
- Check feed separately, along with engagement and stability guidance.
- Start from the maker’s stated recommendation, then assess the cut within tool and machine limits.
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