How to use this calculator
- Enter the batch size. Setup and tooling are fixed costs, so the batch quantity determines how much of them lands on each part.
- Enter material and scrap. Use the raw blank or allocated material cost per part, then add a scrap or yield allowance.
- Enter setup and machine time. Use one-time setup/programming time for the batch and cycle time per part for the main machine operation.
- Add tooling and secondary work. Add batch tooling or fixture cost, plus per-part deburr, inspection or finishing time.
- Apply markup. Read direct cost, quoted price each, batch total and the cost breakdown.
How it works
A useful machining estimate is a cost breakdown, not one blended number. The basic structure is:
cost_each = material + machine + setup/N + tooling/N + secondary
where N is the batch quantity. The machine cost is
cycle time in hours times the loaded machine rate:
machine_each = cycle_time_hr × machine_rate
The setup cost is a fixed run cost spread across the batch:
setup_each = setup_time_hr × setup_rate / N
Tooling, fixtures and consumables work the same way if they are bought or consumed for the job:
tooling_each = tooling_cost_batch / N
Material is adjusted by the scrap/yield allowance:
material_each = material_cost × (1 + scrap_rate/100)
Per-part secondary work is kept separate because deburring, cleaning, inspection and packaging are easy to underestimate:
secondary_each = secondary_time_hr × secondary_rate
The direct cost is the sum of those buckets. The quoted price applies cost-plus markup after direct cost:
quoted_each = direct_each × (1 + markup/100)
Worked example
Verified against the live calculator
Estimate a 25-part CNC batch with $12 material per blank, a
5% scrap allowance, 60 min setup at $90/hr,
5 min cycle time at $85/hr, 2 min deburr and
inspection at $55/hr, $80 tooling/fixture cost, and
20% cost-plus markup.
Material with scrap is $12.60. Machine time is
5/60 × $85 = $7.08. Setup is $90/25 = $3.60 each, tooling
is $80/25 = $3.20 each, and secondary work is
2/60 × $55 = $1.83. Direct cost is $28.32 each. With a
20% markup, the quote is $33.98 per part, or
$849.50 for the batch.
Frequently asked questions
How do you calculate CNC machining cost per part?
Break the quote into cost buckets: material with scrap, machine cycle time, setup amortized by batch quantity, tooling amortized by batch quantity, and secondary operations. The calculator sums those into direct cost per part, then applies cost-plus markup.
Why does setup cost matter so much on small batches?
Setup is mostly fixed for the run. A 1-hour setup at $90/hr is $90 total: $18 each on a 5-part job, $3.60 each on 25 parts, and $0.90 each on 100 parts. That is why short-run CNC parts can look expensive even when the cycle time is short.
Should machine rate include labor and overhead?
Use the convention your shop actually quotes. Many shops use a loaded machine rate that already includes operator labor, depreciation, rent, power, maintenance and overhead. If your machine rate is machine-only, put operator work into the secondary time/rate lines or raise the rate.
Where do deburring and inspection go?
Put per-part deburring, cleaning, inspection, packing or finishing time in the secondary-operations line. Those costs are easy to miss and can dominate parts with short machine cycles.
Is this a replacement for quoting software?
No. This is a transparent early estimator. Full quoting software can derive cycle time from geometry, toolpaths, fixtures and tolerances. This page is for quick should-cost checks, internal estimates and comparing batch-size assumptions.
Method & assumptions
- This is a manual cost model. It does not read CAD geometry, count setups, choose tools or estimate toolpaths automatically.
- Use the machining time calculator to estimate cycle time from cut length, passes and feed rate; use the CNC speeds and feeds calculator, chip load calculator and cutting speed calculator to sanity-check the feed-rate assumptions behind it.
- For molded plastic parts, use the injection molding shot size calculator to screen shot weight, barrel utilization and clamp force before comparing press-based quotes.
- Use the metal weight calculator when you need to estimate blank weight from bar, plate or tube stock before assigning material cost.
- The markup field is cost-plus markup. If you need a target gross margin instead, divide direct cost by
1 - gross_margin/100rather than multiplying by1 + markup/100. - Put overhead either in the shop rate or in a separate rate line, but do not double count it. Be consistent with how your shop quotes.
- Tight tolerances, surface finish, extra orientations and hard materials usually increase both cycle time and secondary time. Use this as a should-cost estimate, then validate with real process data.