CNC / machinist calculator
Machining Cost Per Part Calculator
Quote a job or sanity-check a price in seconds. Enter your machine's hourly rate, the cycle time per part, the one-time setup time and the quantity, and this calculator returns the run time and cost per part and the total for the batch. It amortizes the setup across the whole run, so you can see how the per-part cost falls as the quantity rises.
- Time per part
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- Batch total
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How it works
Machining cost on a per-part basis is the time the machine spends on a part times its hourly rate. The time has two parts: the cycle time that repeats for every piece, and the setup time that happens once and is shared across the batch. Spreading the setup over more parts is why a run of a hundred costs far less per piece than a run of five.
The per-part time is the cycle time plus the setup time divided by the quantity. Multiplying that by the hourly rate, converted to a per-minute rate, gives the cost per part, and multiplying again by the quantity gives the batch cost. The hourly rate should reflect the loaded shop rate, the cost of running the machine including labor, overhead and a margin, not just the electricity.
This is a planning estimate. It does not include material cost, tooling wear, inspection or programming time, so add those separately for a full quote. Use the metal weight calculator for the stock cost and the feeds and speeds tools to estimate the cycle time that feeds into this.
Worked example
At $75/hr, a 4 min cycle with a 30 min setup over 25 parts is 4 + 30/25 = 5.2 min/part, about $6.50 per part and $162.50 for the batch.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate machining cost per part?
Add the cycle time to the setup time divided by the quantity to get the per-part minutes, then multiply by the hourly rate divided by sixty. Setup is shared across the batch, so it adds less per part as quantity rises.
Why does cost per part drop with quantity?
Because setup is a one-time cost spread over every part in the run. A 30 minute setup adds 30 minutes to one part but only 0.3 minutes per part across a hundred, so the per-piece price falls as the batch grows.
What hourly rate should I use?
Use a loaded shop rate that covers the machine, operator labor, overhead and your margin, not just power. Job shops often quote tens of dollars per hour to over a hundred depending on the machine and region.
Does this include material cost?
No. This is machine time only. Add material separately, using the metal weight calculator and your stock price, plus tooling, inspection and programming, to build a complete quote.
How do I get the cycle time?
Estimate it from the toolpaths: cutting length divided by feed rate for each operation, plus tool changes and rapids. The feeds and speeds and material removal rate tools help size the cutting portion of the cycle.
Related calculators
Sources
- Machining cost estimation overview (Wikipedia, machining)
- Cost accounting - overhead and rates (Wikipedia)
Every formula on this page is shown and sourced. See how we verify.
These calculators are for planning and as a starting point. Recommended speeds and feeds are published starting values that vary with your specific tool, coating, machine rigidity, workholding and coolant. Always start conservative, listen to the cut, and follow your tool maker data sheet.