Laser cutting time.

Worked example

A piece has 1,200 mm of cut lines cut twice at 20 mm/s: 1,200 x 2 / 20 = 2 min 0 s. Travel of 400 mm at 200 mm/s adds 2 s. A 100 x 50 mm engraving at a 0.1 mm line interval is 50 / 0.1 = 500 lines of 100 mm at 150 mm/s: 500 x 100 / 150 = 5 min 33 s. One piece takes 7 min 35 s. Ten pieces plus 5 minutes of setup is 1 h 20 min 53 s, or $40.44 at $30.00 per hour.

How it works

Each time is distance divided by speed. Cut length is multiplied by the number of passes. Raster engraving scans one line at a time, so the number of lines is the area height divided by the line interval, and each line takes the width divided by the engrave speed. Speed units are converted to mm per second before the sum.

Not included. Acceleration and deceleration at corners and line ends, raster overscan, air-assist or focus delays and material handling between pieces. For many small details the real time can be noticeably longer than the straight sum, so test one piece and compare against the machine's own estimate. Laser safety is not covered here; follow your machine maker's instructions.

Sources (opened 2026-10-08). No published figures are used. Time = distance / speed is basic kinematics, and the engraving line count follows from the raster line interval you enter. Speeds are whatever your laser software uses; the example values are placeholders, not recommendations for any material.

FAQ

How do I estimate laser cutting time?

Divide the total cut path length by the cut speed, multiply by the number of passes, and add travel and engraving time. This calculator does the sum and converts mm, inches and per-minute speeds.

Where do I find the cut path length?

Most design software shows the total path or perimeter length of selected shapes, and many laser programs show it in the job preview. Add up every line that will be cut.

Why is my real job slower than the estimate?

Machines accelerate and slow down at corners and small details, and raster engraving adds overscan at each line end. Many short segments make the gap bigger.

How is engraving time calculated?

The number of raster lines is the engraved height divided by the line interval. Each line takes the width divided by the engrave speed. A finer interval means more lines and a longer job.

What cut speed should I use?

Use the setting that works for your material, thickness and laser power; it comes from test cuts and your machine's guidance, not from this calculator.