Pricing · Workshop tools

CNC Cost Calculator for Woodworking

Estimate CNC routing cost and selling price per part or batch. Include setup, machining time, materials, tooling and markup, then carry the cost into a quote.

Set up your calculation

An illustrative example is loaded. Replace its values with your measurements, costs or documented settings.

Machine cost rate (USD/h)

Setup time for entire batch (h)

Run time per part (h)

Tooling allowance for entire batch (USD)

Material per part (USD)

Finishing per part (USD)

Additional manual labor per part (USD)

Additional overhead per part (USD)

Parts in batch

Markup on batch cost (%)

How this works

Calculation

Your result

One-time batch cost: $52.50
Total batch cost: $287.50
Cost per part: $287.50
Batch selling price: $345.00
Selling price per part: $345.00

The quote handoff carries your inputs and assumptions. Only an explicit base cost is suggested as a quote cost; prices, rates and measurements remain planning notes.

Workshop reference

Build a CNC price you can explain

Separate batch work from part work
Put setup and the batch tooling allowance in once. Enter machining time, materials, finishing and extra manual work for each part.
Use a cost rate consistently
Document what your hourly machine rate includes. Count programming, operator time and shop recovery once across the rate and the separate allowances.
Review the complete job
Check quantity, revision scope, packaging and delivery before quoting. Use actual supplier costs and recorded run times when available.

Keep the result with the work

Use the result’s quote handoff to carry the base cost and assumptions forward. Review profit in the quote, then compare the estimate with actual job costs after delivery.

Quoting workflow Build an hourly rate Compare markup and margin

Understand the result

How it works

Batch cost = setup hours × machine rate + batch tooling + quantity × (run hours per part × machine rate + per-part materials, finish, labor and overhead). Selling price = batch cost × (1 + markup ÷ 100).

Setup and tooling are per batch; run time and other costs are per part. Machine rate must not include labor or overhead that you also add separately. Markup is on cost.

Worked example

Price a batch of ten CNC signs

Price a batch of ten CNC signs
Input or step	Example value
Machine cost rate	$75/hour
One-time setup and tooling	0.5 hour × $75 + $15 = $52.50
Machine time per sign	0.25 hour × $75 = $18.75
Other cost per sign	$12 material + $3 finish + $5 manual labor + $2 overhead = $22
Total cost for 10 signs	$52.50 + 10 × ($18.75 + $22) = $460
With 20% markup	$552 per batch / $55.20 per sign

These are illustrative costs, not suggested market rates. The quote handoff transfers the $460 base cost; set profit in the quote without adding the calculator’s markup a second time.

Common questions

How do I calculate CNC cost per hour?

Build the machine cost rate from the costs it must recover and realistic operating hours. Use the shop-rate and tool-depreciation calculators to check your assumptions. Do not add labor or overhead separately if that rate already includes them.

Does CAM run time include all the work?

Not necessarily. Record setup once for the batch, machining time for each part, and extra manual work such as sanding and packing. Check simulated run time against completed jobs.

Why does the unit price change with batch size?

Setup and the entered tooling allowance are shared across the batch. Each additional part still needs its own machining time, material, finishing, labor and overhead.

Is markup the same as profit margin?

No. This calculator adds markup to cost. A 20% markup on $460 adds $92 and gives a $552 selling price, or about 16.67% margin before any unentered costs.