Tapping Feed Rate Calculator

Inputs

Spindle speed (n)

Tapping spindle speed (RPM). The feed rate is locked to this through the pitch.

rpm

Thread pitch (P)

Thread pitch (feed per rev). For inch threads, pitch = 25.4 / TPI.

Default result

Tapping feed rate(Vf)

500mm/min

Feed rate the tap (and Z axis) must run at — Vf = n × P.

Also computed

Feed per revolution(fr)1mm

equals pitch

Equals the thread pitch — the tap advances one pitch per rev.

Method notes 3 notes

Tapping feed rate Vf = spindle speed n × thread pitch P. The feed per revolution equals the pitch exactly — the tap cuts its own lead, so the feed is not chosen freely.
For inch taps, convert the pitch first: P = 25.4 ÷ TPI (e.g. 20 TPI → 1.27 mm pitch). Then Vf = n × P as usual.
On retract the tap reverses out at the same feed rate Vf, so the rapid-out feed must equal the feed-in — rigid tapping handles this automatically.