Milling Feed Fundamentals: Reproducible Examples of Feed per Tooth and Material Removal Rate

Publish time 10/24/2026Author ToSea Technical Editorial TeamSource sandvik.coromant.com

Using publicly available tool manufacturer formulas and calculation examples, this article distinguishes feed per tooth, feed per revolution and table feed, and explains volume unit conversion in material removal rate.

To understand tool feed parameters, you must first establish the calculation basis. Although feed per tooth, feed per revolution and feed per minute are related, they cannot share a single number without units. The following explains how to convert between them using publicly available tool manufacturer formulas and a defined set of input conditions.

Calculating table feed from feed per tooth

v_f=f_z n z

Table feed rate: feed per tooth multiplied by spindle speed and the number of teeth defined by the formula.

If feed per tooth is mistaken for feed per revolution, the result will be missing the multiplication by the number of teeth, and the meaning of the parameter will change. The examples here are for recalculation only and do not constitute process recommendations for any specific workpiece.

f_z=0.05\,\mathrm{mm},\quad n=4000\,\mathrm{rpm},\quad z=4,\quad v_f=800\,\mathrm{mm/min}

The feed rate corresponding to feed per tooth, spindle speed and number of teeth.

f_n=\frac{v_f}{n}=0.20\,\mathrm{mm/rev}

Under the same conditions, the feed per revolution is 0.20 mm, which must not be confused with feed per tooth.

Checking the volumetric removal rate

Q=\frac{a_p a_e v_f}{1000}

Metric material removal rate: converting cubic millimeters per minute to cubic centimeters per minute.

If the axial depth of cut is 1 mm and the radial width of cut is 5 mm, the material removal rate can be calculated as 4 cm³/min. When checking the result, retain the input quantities, units and symbols together, and distinguish the calculation bases for depth of cut, width of cut and feed rate.

a_p=1\,\mathrm{mm},\quad a_e=5\,\mathrm{mm},\quad Q=4\,\mathrm{cm^3/min}

Standalone material removal rate example.

Name	Symbol	Value	Unit
Feed per tooth	f_z	0.05	mm
Spindle speed	n	4000	rpm
Number of teeth used in calculation	z	4	1
Table feed	v_f	800	mm/min
Material removal rate	Q	4	cm³/min

Calculation basis and applicable conditions

The examples in this article are organized based on the milling formulas published by Sandvik Coromant. Actual calculations should follow the symbol definitions and units in the catalog of the tool being used, and symbols or feed references from different sources should not be mixed.

The parameters are used to illustrate the relationships between physical quantities. Before applying the examples to actual machining, also check the material, tool overhang, clamping rigidity, cooling conditions and machine limits. Identical units do not mean that parameters can be carried over directly between different machining conditions.

Source note: This article was written originally based on the public technical materials listed, and the calculation examples have been independently recalculated.

Sandvik Coromant: Milling formulas and definitions: https://www.sandvik.coromant.com/en-gb/knowledge/machining-formulas-definitions/milling-formulas-definitions