Laser and CNC Settings Calculator
Machine, material and bit in. Starting laser power, speed and passes, or CNC router RPM and feed, out, with the published chart behind every number.
How does the calculator work?
Laser mode works from line energy: the joules delivered per millimeter of beam travel, which is power x power % / speed. Each reference row below comes from a published manufacturer or dealer chart. The calculator picks the row whose wattage is closest to yours and solves for the speed that delivers the same energy with your power. When that speed is faster than your machine allows, it caps the speed and lowers the power %. When a cut would need a crawl, it adds passes instead. Between two published thicknesses it interpolates; past the thickest published row it says so rather than guessing.
CNC mode uses the standard formula: feed (in/min) = RPM x flutes x chipload. Chiploads come from the Techno CNC Systems chart. The calculator picks the lowest spindle speed that reaches the target chipload within your feed ceiling, so a lighter hobby frame keeps a real chip instead of rubbing. Depth per pass is half the bit diameter in wood and plastics (capped at a 1/4 in bit), a quarter of the diameter in aluminum, stepover is 40% for pocketing and 10% for ball nose finishing, and plunge is 30% of the feed.
Every result is a starting point. Run a material test grid (LightBurn and xTool Creative Space both generate one) or a test pocket in scrap from the same sheet before the real job. For the bigger picture, see how much power wood cutting takes, the four ways to mark metal, which router bit fits which cut and how a CNC router works. Before any laser job, read the laser safety guide.
What we assumed (and labelled)
- Where a source gives a range, we use its midpoint. The raw published text sits next to every row below.
- Speed scales linearly with power at constant line energy. This holds best close to the reference wattage; the calculator warns when your laser is more than twice or less than half the reference.
- Line interval is 0.1 mm (254 lines per inch) for diode and CO2 and 0.05 mm for fiber when a source gives none.
- A score uses the fill-engrave power and speed for the material, drawn as a single line.
- Practical pass limits: up to 6 cutting passes on a diode and 3 on a CO2 before we call a thickness a job for a stronger laser.
- CNC machine classes place the target chipload at the chart minimum (3018 class), a quarter of the way up the range (belt and lead-screw hobby routers) or mid-range (rigid ball-screw routers), and scale depth of cut by 0.5, 0.75 and 1.0. Default feed ceilings are 40, 100 and 200 in/min. These are our conservative assumptions, not chart values.
- V-bits are sized on the 1/8 in chipload row, because the narrow tip does most of the cutting in a V-carve.
- Below 0.001 in per tooth we warn that the bit will rub rather than cut.
Laser reference rows (50) and their sources
| Laser | Material | Job | Thickness | Ref. power | Power % | Speed | Passes | Published as | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CO2 | Cast acrylic | cut | 1.6 mm | 50 W | 20 | 20 mm/s (1,200 mm/min) | 1 | 1/16 in cast acrylic, 50 W CO2: 20 mm/s, 20% | Delvies Plastics |
| CO2 | Cast acrylic | cut | 1.6 mm | 60 W | 20 | 20 mm/s (1,200 mm/min) | 1 | 1/16 in cast acrylic, 60 W CO2: 20 mm/s, 20% | Delvies Plastics |
| CO2 | Cast acrylic | cut | 1.6 mm | 80 W | 18 | 25 mm/s (1,500 mm/min) | 1 | 1/16 in cast acrylic, 80 W CO2: 25 mm/s, 18% | Delvies Plastics |
| CO2 | Cast acrylic | cut | 1.6 mm | 100 W | 18 | 25 mm/s (1,500 mm/min) | 1 | 1/16 in cast acrylic, 100 W CO2: 25 mm/s, 18% | Delvies Plastics |
| CO2 | Cast acrylic | cut | 1.6 mm | 150 W | 15 | 35 mm/s (2,100 mm/min) | 1 | 1/16 in cast acrylic, 150 W CO2: 35 mm/s, 15% | Delvies Plastics |
| CO2 | Cast acrylic | cut | 3.2 mm | 50 W | 25 | 9 mm/s (540 mm/min) | 1 | 1/8 in cast acrylic, 50 W CO2: 9 mm/s, 25% | Delvies Plastics |
| CO2 | Cast acrylic | cut | 3.2 mm | 60 W | 25 | 11 mm/s (660 mm/min) | 1 | 1/8 in cast acrylic, 60 W CO2: 11 mm/s, 25% | Delvies Plastics |
| CO2 | Cast acrylic | cut | 3.2 mm | 80 W | 25 | 12 mm/s (720 mm/min) | 1 | 1/8 in cast acrylic, 80 W CO2: 12 mm/s, 25% | Delvies Plastics |
| CO2 | Cast acrylic | cut | 3.2 mm | 100 W | 25 | 14 mm/s (840 mm/min) | 1 | 1/8 in cast acrylic, 100 W CO2: 14 mm/s, 25% | Delvies Plastics |
| CO2 | Cast acrylic | cut | 3.2 mm | 150 W | 24 | 16 mm/s (960 mm/min) | 1 | 1/8 in cast acrylic, 150 W CO2: 16 mm/s, 24% | Delvies Plastics |
| CO2 | Cast acrylic | cut | 6.4 mm | 50 W | 45 | 4 mm/s (240 mm/min) | 1 | 1/4 in cast acrylic, 50 W CO2: 4 mm/s, 45% | Delvies Plastics |
| CO2 | Cast acrylic | cut | 6.4 mm | 60 W | 37 | 5 mm/s (300 mm/min) | 1 | 1/4 in cast acrylic, 60 W CO2: 5 mm/s, 37% | Delvies Plastics |
| CO2 | Cast acrylic | cut | 6.4 mm | 80 W | 35 | 6 mm/s (360 mm/min) | 1 | 1/4 in cast acrylic, 80 W CO2: 6 mm/s, 35% | Delvies Plastics |
| CO2 | Cast acrylic | cut | 6.4 mm | 100 W | 33 | 6 mm/s (360 mm/min) | 1 | 1/4 in cast acrylic, 100 W CO2: 6 mm/s, 33% | Delvies Plastics |
| CO2 | Cast acrylic | cut | 6.4 mm | 150 W | 30 | 8 mm/s (480 mm/min) | 1 | 1/4 in cast acrylic, 150 W CO2: 8 mm/s, 30% | Delvies Plastics |
| CO2 | Cast acrylic | cut | 12.7 mm | 50 W | 50 | 2 mm/s (120 mm/min) | 1 | 1/2 in cast acrylic, 50 W CO2: 2 mm/s, 50% | Delvies Plastics |
| CO2 | Cast acrylic | cut | 12.7 mm | 60 W | 48 | 3 mm/s (180 mm/min) | 1 | 1/2 in cast acrylic, 60 W CO2: 3 mm/s, 48% | Delvies Plastics |
| CO2 | Cast acrylic | cut | 12.7 mm | 80 W | 45 | 4 mm/s (240 mm/min) | 1 | 1/2 in cast acrylic, 80 W CO2: 4 mm/s, 45% | Delvies Plastics |
| CO2 | Cast acrylic | cut | 12.7 mm | 100 W | 43 | 5 mm/s (300 mm/min) | 1 | 1/2 in cast acrylic, 100 W CO2: 5 mm/s, 43% | Delvies Plastics |
| CO2 | Cast acrylic | cut | 12.7 mm | 150 W | 35 | 7 mm/s (420 mm/min) | 1 | 1/2 in cast acrylic, 150 W CO2: 7 mm/s, 35% | Delvies Plastics |
| CO2 | Cast acrylic | cut | 19.1 mm | 60 W | 58 | 2 mm/s (120 mm/min) | 1 | 3/4 in cast acrylic, 60 W CO2: 2 mm/s, 58% | Delvies Plastics |
| CO2 | Cast acrylic | cut | 19.1 mm | 80 W | 55 | 3 mm/s (180 mm/min) | 1 | 3/4 in cast acrylic, 80 W CO2: 3 mm/s, 55% | Delvies Plastics |
| CO2 | Cast acrylic | cut | 19.1 mm | 100 W | 53 | 4 mm/s (240 mm/min) | 1 | 3/4 in cast acrylic, 100 W CO2: 4 mm/s, 53% | Delvies Plastics |
| CO2 | Cast acrylic | cut | 19.1 mm | 150 W | 40 | 6 mm/s (360 mm/min) | 1 | 3/4 in cast acrylic, 150 W CO2: 6 mm/s, 40% | Delvies Plastics |
| CO2 | Cast acrylic | cut | 25.4 mm | 80 W | 60 | 1 mm/s (60 mm/min) | 1 | 1 in cast acrylic, 80 W CO2: 1 mm/s, 60% | Delvies Plastics |
| CO2 | Cast acrylic | cut | 25.4 mm | 100 W | 58 | 1 mm/s (60 mm/min) | 1 | 1 in cast acrylic, 100 W CO2: 1 mm/s, 58% | Delvies Plastics |
| CO2 | Cast acrylic | cut | 25.4 mm | 150 W | 53 | 3 mm/s (180 mm/min) | 1 | 1 in cast acrylic, 150 W CO2: 3 mm/s, 53% | Delvies Plastics |
| CO2 | Cast acrylic | engrave | 50 W | 22.5 | 575 mm/s | 1 | Acrylic engraving, CO2: 400 to 750 mm/s, 15 to 30%, 300 to 500 DPI Our reading: The source gives no wattage; we assume a 50 W class tube. Midpoints; 400 DPI. | OMTech | |
| CO2 | Glass | engrave | 50 W | 20 | 300 mm/s | 1 | Glass engraving, 40 to 60 W CO2: 300 mm/s, 20% Our reading: Midpoint wattage; 0.1 mm line interval (our default). | OMTech | |
| CO2 | Glass | engrave | 90 W | 27.5 | 300 mm/s | 1 | Glass engraving, 80 to 100 W CO2: 200 to 400 mm/s, 15 to 40% Our reading: Midpoints; 0.1 mm line interval (our default). | OMTech | |
| CO2 | Hardwood | cut | 6 mm | 80 W | 90 | 10 mm/s (600 mm/min) | 1 | 1/4 in (6 mm) plywood or hardwood, 80 W CO2: 10 mm/s, 90% (or 2 passes) | OMTech |
| CO2 | Hardwood | engrave | 50 W | 50 | 250 mm/s | 1 | Hardwood engraving, 50 W example: 200 to 300 mm/s, 40 to 60%, 1 to 2 passes Our reading: Midpoints; one pass; 0.1 mm line interval (our default). | OMTech | |
| CO2 | Leather | cut | 2 mm | 50 W | 45 | 27.5 mm/s (1,650 mm/min) | 1 | 3 to 5 oz vegetable-tanned leather (about 1.2 to 2 mm), 40 to 60 W CO2: 25 to 30 mm/s, 40 to 50%, 1 pass Our reading: Midpoints; filed at 2 mm, the thick end of the range. | OMTech |
| CO2 | Leather | engrave | 40 W | 27.5 | 100 mm/s | 1 | Leather engraving, 40 W CO2: 100 mm/s, 15 to 40% Our reading: Midpoint power; 0.1 mm line interval (our default). | OMTech | |
| CO2 | Leather | engrave | 50 W | 18 | 150 mm/s | 1 | Leather engrave layer, 50 W CO2: 150 mm/s, 18% Our reading: 0.1 mm line interval (our default). | OMTech | |
| CO2 | Leather | engrave | 60 W | 12.5 | 100 mm/s | 1 | Leather engraving, 60 W CO2: 100 mm/s, 10 to 15% Our reading: Midpoint power; 0.1 mm line interval (our default). | OMTech | |
| CO2 | MDF | cut | 3 mm | 150 W | 60 | 40 mm/s (2,400 mm/min) | 1 | 3 mm MDF, 150 W CO2: 30 to 50 mm/s, 50 to 70%, 1 pass, air assist maximum Our reading: Midpoints. | OMTech |
| CO2 | Plywood | cut | 3 mm | 45 W | 82.5 | 17.5 mm/s (1,050 mm/min) | 1 | 3 mm plywood, 40 to 50 W CO2: 10 to 25 mm/s, 70 to 95%, 1 pass Our reading: Midpoints. | OMTech |
| CO2 | Plywood | cut | 3 mm | 150 W | 62.5 | 42.5 mm/s (2,550 mm/min) | 1 | 3 mm plywood, 150 W CO2: 35 to 50 mm/s, 55 to 70%, 1 pass, air assist high Our reading: Midpoints. | OMTech |
| CO2 | Plywood | cut | 6 mm | 80 W | 90 | 10 mm/s (600 mm/min) | 1 | 1/4 in (6 mm) plywood or hardwood, 80 W CO2: 10 mm/s, 90% (or 2 passes) | OMTech |
| CO2 | Softwood | engrave | 50 W | 40 | 350 mm/s | 1 | Softwood engraving, 50 W example: 300 to 400 mm/s, 30 to 50%, usually 1 pass Our reading: Midpoints; 0.1 mm line interval (our default). | OMTech | |
| Blue diode | Hardwood | engrave | 10 W | 40 | 25 mm/s (1,500 mm/min) | 1 | Hardwood engraving, 10 W diode: 1,000 to 2,000 mm/min, 30 to 50% Our reading: Midpoints; 0.1 mm line interval (our default). | OMTech | |
| Blue diode | Leather | engrave | 10 W | 40 | 80 mm/s | 1 | Leather engraving, 10 W diode: 80 mm/s, 30 to 50% Our reading: Midpoint power; 0.1 mm line interval (our default). | OMTech | |
| Blue diode | Plywood | cut | 3 mm | 7.5 W | 87.5 | 9.2 mm/s (550 mm/min) | 5 | 3 mm plywood, 5 to 10 W diode: 200 to 900 mm/min, 85 to 90%, 3 to 6 passes Our reading: Midpoints; 5 passes (the middle of 3 to 6, rounded up). | OMTech |
| Blue diode | Plywood | cut | 3 mm | 15 W | 100 | 4.2 mm/s (250 mm/min) | 1 | 1/8 in (3 mm) plywood or balsa, 10 to 20 W diode: 200 to 300 mm/min, 100% Our reading: Midpoints; one pass (the source gives no pass count). | OMTech |
| Blue diode | Plywood | cut | 3 mm | 30 W | 95 | 15 mm/s (900 mm/min) | 1 | 3 mm plywood, 20 to 40 W diode: 800 to 1,000 mm/min, 90 to 100%, 1 pass Our reading: Midpoints. | OMTech |
| Blue diode | Softwood | engrave | 10 W | 22.5 | 37.5 mm/s (2,250 mm/min) | 1 | Softwood engraving, 10 W diode: 1,500 to 3,000 mm/min, 15 to 30% Our reading: Midpoints; 0.1 mm line interval (our default, the source gives none). | OMTech | |
| Fiber galvo | Anodized aluminum | engrave | 20 W | 32.5 | 1,500 mm/s | 1 | Anodized aluminum light mark, 20 W fiber: 25 to 40%, 1,000 to 2,000 mm/s, 50 to 80 kHz, 1 pass Our reading: Midpoints; 0.05 mm hatch (our default, the source gives none for this row). | The Maker's Chest | |
| Fiber galvo | Brass | engrave | 20 W | 77.5 | 550 mm/s | 1 | Brass surface mark, 20 W fiber: 70 to 85%, 400 to 700 mm/s, 25 to 45 kHz Our reading: Midpoints; one pass; 0.05 mm hatch (our default). | The Maker's Chest | |
| Fiber galvo | Stainless steel | engrave | 20 W | 57.5 | 800 mm/s | 1 | Stainless steel 304/316 high-contrast mark, 20 W fiber: 50 to 65%, 600 to 1,000 mm/s, 30 to 50 kHz, 1 to 2 passes, hatch 0.05 mm Our reading: Midpoints; one pass. | The Maker's Chest |
Published acrylic charts disagree. OMTech's own blog puts 3 mm acrylic on a 40 to 50 W tube at 6 to 10 mm/s and 70 to 80% power, roughly three times the energy of the Delvies table we use. If our starting point does not cut through, step power up toward that figure before slowing down.
Combinations with no published row in our table get a test-grid sweep instead of a number. Diode engrave sweep: speed 1,000 to 6,000 mm/min (17 to 100 mm/s) across, power 10 to 60% down. CO2 engrave sweep: speed 100 to 500 mm/s across, power 10 to 40% down. Fiber sweep: speed 300 to 2,000 mm/s across, power 20 to 80% down, frequency 30 to 60 kHz.
CNC chipload chart (inches per tooth) and Makita dial table
| Bit diameter | Hardwood | Softwood and plywood | MDF and particle board | Soft plastic | Acrylic | Aluminum |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/8 in | 0.003 to 0.005 | 0.004 to 0.006 | 0.004 to 0.007 | 0.003 to 0.006 | 0.003 to 0.005 | 0.003 to 0.004 |
| 1/4 in | 0.008 to 0.010 | 0.010 to 0.013 | 0.010 to 0.013 | 0.007 to 0.010 | 0.007 to 0.010 | 0.005 to 0.007 |
| 3/8 in | 0.014 to 0.018 | 0.016 to 0.019 | 0.014 to 0.017 | 0.010 to 0.012 | 0.010 to 0.012 | 0.006 to 0.008 |
| 1/2 in and up | 0.019 to 0.021 | 0.020 to 0.023 | 0.018 to 0.021 | 0.012 to 0.016 | 0.012 to 0.015 | 0.008 to 0.010 |
Source: Techno CNC Systems (CNC router manufacturer), Chip Load Chart (Rev 2.1). The chart also says to cut chipload by 25% at a depth of 2x the diameter and by 50% at 3x; our depth rules stay under 1x. Metric bits are interpolated between rows, and 3 mm bits are scaled down from the 1/8 in row. HDPE uses the soft plastic column.
| Makita RT0701C dial | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| rpm (manual) | 10,000 | 12,000 | 17,000 | 22,000 | 27,000 | 30,000 |
Sources: Makita USA, RT0701C (10,000 to 30,000 rpm; dial table from the instruction manual) and the Onefinity owner forum, where owners measured real speeds with a tachometer and found them lower at several settings.
Sources (checked October 2026)
- Laser Engraving Speed Chart, OMTech (laser manufacturer), August 18, 2026.
- Murphy's Law: Material Settings for Laser Engravers, OMTech (laser manufacturer), May 25, 2026.
- Settings for Wood Laser Engraving, OMTech (laser manufacturer), September 1, 2025.
- Best Laser Engraving Leather Settings, OMTech (laser manufacturer), April 20, 2026.
- How to Engrave Metal With a Fiber Laser: Settings and Speed Guide, The Maker's Chest (laser retailer), undated.
- OMTECH Acrylic Laser Cutting Settings, Delvies Plastics (acrylic supplier), April 2, 2024.
- Chip Load Chart (Rev 2.1), Techno CNC Systems (CNC router manufacturer), March 2023.
- RT0701C product page and instruction manual (speed dial table), Makita USA, current.
- How to determine spindle speed on Makita RT0701C router, Onefinity CNC owner forum, forum thread.
Frequently asked questions
How do you calculate feeds and speeds for a CNC router?
Feed rate equals spindle RPM times the number of flutes times the chipload. A 1/4 in 2-flute bit at 10,000 rpm and a 0.005 in chipload feeds at 10,000 x 2 x 0.005 = 100 in/min (2,540 mm/min). The chipload comes from the tool maker chart for your material and bit diameter; this calculator uses the Techno CNC Systems chart and adjusts for how rigid your machine is.
What is chipload and why does it matter?
Chipload is the thickness of material each cutting edge removes per revolution, in inches per tooth. Too thick and the bit deflects, chatters or snaps. Too thin and the edge rubs instead of cutting, which heats and dulls the bit and melts plastics. Holding a sensible chipload, rather than a particular RPM, is what keeps a cut clean.
What RPM is each setting on a Makita RT0701C router dial?
The Makita manual lists dial 1 at 10,000 rpm, 2 at 12,000, 3 at 17,000, 4 at 22,000, 5 at 27,000 and 6 at 30,000. Owners who measured with a tachometer report real speeds somewhat lower at several settings, so treat the dial as approximate.
Why does my diode laser listing say 80 W when the module is 10 W?
Many listings quote electrical input power, not the optical power that reaches the material. An "80 W" machine is often a 10 W optical module. Every setting on this page uses optical watts, so enter the optical output from the spec sheet, not the headline number.
Can a diode laser cut clear acrylic?
No. Clear acrylic transmits 450 nm blue light, so the beam passes through instead of heating the material. Diodes engrave and cut dark or black opaque acrylic. Clear acrylic is a CO2 laser job, and the calculator blocks the combination with that reason.
Why do published laser settings disagree so much?
Tube and module output varies by unit and age, lenses and focus differ, and material batches differ. For 3 mm cast acrylic on a 40 to 50 W CO2 laser, OMTech and Delvies Plastics publish settings about three times apart in energy. That is why every result here is a starting point for a test grid, not a final setting.
Is it safe to run these settings unattended?
No laser should run unattended, at any setting. Cutting passes can flare up, especially in wood and acrylic. Keep air assist on for cuts, run fume extraction, keep a suitable extinguisher at hand, and wear glasses rated for your laser wavelength on open-frame machines.
Who is this calculator not for?
Production shops running industrial routers or 1 kW+ fiber cutters should use their tooling and laser suppliers' application data, not hobby starting points. Medical, cosmetic and other non-maker lasers are entirely different products. And if your machine maker publishes a settings library for your exact model and material, start there; this page is for the many combinations those libraries do not cover.