Free part cost calculators

Short answer: there are four kinds. Parameter forms estimate a part from its material, envelope and a chosen complexity. Hourly rate calculators give the cost of one machine hour. 3D file estimators read the geometry. Drawing-based tools also read tolerances, threads and second operations. The more precise the part, the more the drawing matters.

By the RFQdecoder team · updated 27 September 2026

What they ask, what they return

Type	Example	What you enter	What you get
Parameter form	RivCut	Material, envelope, quantity, tolerance, finish, setups, complexity	Material, machine time, setup, finishing, inspection and total, no sign-up
Hourly rate	Spanflug	Purchase and running costs, operating hours, wages	Manufacturing, setup and programming rates
3D file estimator	CustomPartNet	STEP, STP, STL, 3MF or OBJ file	Feature-based or standard estimate
Drawing-based tool	RFQdecoder	PDF, DXF or STEP drawing	Manufacturing routing and cost of each step, editable

Sources: RivCut, MAV, CustomPartNet, pages checked on 27 September 2026.

The benchmarks one US calculator shows

Benchmark	Published value
Machine rate	$75 to $150 per hour
Aluminium 6061	$3 to $5 per pound
Setup time	15 to 45 minutes
Prototype	$50 to over $500 per part

Source: RivCut. These are US values; in Europe, rates vary from one country to the next.

When to upload a real drawing

The part has tight tolerances: a form reduces them to three levels, the drawing gives them dimension by dimension.
There are threads, counterbores or second ops: extra operations that are easy to miss.
You are comparing a quote: you need the same routing as the supplier to see which line differs.
Batch size matters: setup is spread over the quantity, and the detail changes the unit price.

Sources

RivCut, “CNC Cost Calculator: Instant Machining Estimates”, accessed 27 September 2026.
MAV, “Spanflug bietet kostenloses Online-Tool zur Berechnung von Maschinenstundensätzen”, 28 November 2023.
CustomPartNet, “Machining Cost Estimator”, accessed 27 September 2026.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a free CNC machining cost calculator?

Yes. RivCut offers a free form, with no sign-up, that returns material, machine time, setup, finishing and inspection. RFQdecoder prices for free, with no account, from a PDF, DXF or STEP drawing.

What does a part cost calculator ask for?

A form asks for material, envelope, quantity, tolerance, finish, number of setups and a complexity level. A drawing-based tool reads that information straight from the drawing.

How can you calculate a machine hourly rate for free?

Spanflug offers a free tool that calculates manufacturing, setup and programming rates, on a full-cost or contribution-margin basis.

Is a free calculator reliable?

It gives an order of magnitude. For a part with tight tolerances, threads or second operations, the drawing gives an estimate closer to the real quote.

How is it different from a platform instant quote?

A platform gives a selling price to make the part; a calculator gives a cost estimate to understand and compare.

Price it from your drawing

Upload your PDF, DXF or STEP drawing: every operation read from the drawing and priced, free, no account.