Free tool
Machine hourly rate calculator for laser, plasma, and CNC router
The machine hourly rate is the foundation of every cutting quote. Enter machine price, energy, consumables, maintenance, and the hours it actually produces per month to see cost per hour and per minute. Free, no sign-up.
7-day free trial · no credit card · works in browser and mobile
Calculate your machine hourly rate
The starter values are just an example. Use your shop’s numbers; the most important point is to be honest about productive hours (actual cutting time, not clocked hours).
Why productive hours change everything
A machine powered on for 8 hours rarely cuts for 8 hours: there’s sheet changes, setup, tweaking, and waiting for files. If you divide costs by shift hours instead of cutting hours, the hourly rate gets too low and you lose money on quotes. Start with 50%–70% of shift time and fine-tune by comparing to real job times.
From machine hourly rate to part price
With the hourly rate set, a part’s price is machine time times cost per minute, plus material, services, and markup. In MakerCutt Factory each machine has its own hourly rate, and cutting time is calculated from the DXF.
Upload the DXF. Get price, lead time, and material.
Price, lead time, and material under control — in one go.
FAQ
What is the machine hourly rate?
It’s what it costs to keep the machine producing for one hour: depreciation, energy, gas and consumables, maintenance, the operator, and a share of shop fixed overhead. It’s the basis for charging cutting time.
Do fiber laser, CO₂, plasma, and CNC router have the same hourly rate?
No. Machine price, power, consumables, and speed differ. Ideally, set a separate hourly rate for each machine; in MakerCutt Factory every registered machine has its own.
Should I include the operator in the hourly rate?
If the operator is dedicated to the machine, yes. If they split time across tasks, include only the proportional share and bill setup and finishing as services.
Continue exploring
Laser cutting calculator: time, cost and price
Calculate laser cutting cost free: cut time, pierces, machine hour rate, material and margin. Online tool, no signup, built for job shops.
Laser cutting and engraving pricing: how to quote without losing money
Laser cutting and engraving pricing for MDF, acrylic, and metal: machine time, material, scrap, minimums, and margin—with a real-world example.
How to quote laser and CNC cutting, step by step
Step-by-step to quote laser and CNC cutting: read the drawing, calculate cut time and pierces, nesting for material, machine hour rate and margin.
DXF Laser Cutting Quote Software
Upload a DXF, choose material and thickness, and instantly get price, cut time, pierces, material usage, and a PDF. Powerful laser cutting quote software.