{"id":2991,"date":"2026-08-01T11:14:23","date_gmt":"2026-08-01T03:14:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bravofabs.com\/how-much-does-cnc-machining-cost\/"},"modified":"2026-09-10T13:09:19","modified_gmt":"2026-09-10T05:09:19","slug":"how-much-does-cnc-machining-cost","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bravofabs.com\/how-much-does-cnc-machining-cost\/","title":{"rendered":"How Much Does CNC Machining Cost? A Complete Pricing Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>CNC machining costs $15\u2013200+ per part<\/strong> at prototype quantities, depending on material, complexity, and tolerances. Simple aluminum brackets start around $15\u201330; complex 5-axis titanium aerospace parts can exceed $500.<\/li>\n<li><strong>The six cost drivers, ranked by impact:<\/strong> cycle time (30\u201350% of total) \u2192 setup time (10\u201325%) \u2192 material (10\u201320%) \u2192 post-processing (5\u201315%) \u2192 inspection (5\u201315%) \u2192 programming (5\u201310%). Optimize in that order.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Hourly rates range from $15\u201335\/hr (China) to $75\u2013150\/hr (US).<\/strong> But the hourly rate alone is misleading \u2014 a Chinese shop running 2 shifts may quote a lower rate but a US shop with faster machines and better tooling may win on cycle time for complex parts.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Quantity is the biggest cost lever.<\/strong> A part that costs $85 at qty 1 drops to $22 at qty 100 and $8 at qty 1,000. Setup and programming are amortized; material and cycle time dominate at volume.<\/li>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"landed-cost-tariffs\">Landed Cost &amp; Tariff Considerations<\/h2>\n<p>For international buyers, the quoted part price is only part of the total. Tariffs, freight, and customs clearance can add 28\u201378% to your final cost. Understanding these factors upfront helps you budget accurately and avoid surprises at delivery.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>For US buyers, landed cost = part price + tariff (28\u201378%) + freight.<\/strong> A $50 aluminum part from China lands at ~$95 after tariff and shipping \u2014 still often 30\u201340% below US domestic. Non-metal parts (28% tariff) are the strongest value proposition.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Introduction: Why &#8220;How Much?&#8221; Is the Wrong First Question<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Every day, machine shops receive RFQs that consist of a STEP file and one line: &#8220;How much?&#8221; The answer depends on at least six variables \u2014 and the difference between an optimized design and an unoptimized one can be 3\u00d7 on the same part. This guide breaks down exactly what drives <strong>CNC machining costs<\/strong>, gives you realistic price ranges for common part types, and shows you how to cut your quote by 20\u201340% before you even send the RFQ.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We write this as a custom CNC shop that quotes parts every day. The numbers here are real, not theoretical. They come from actual production data across aluminum, steel, stainless, and plastic parts in quantities from 1 to 10,000.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\">\n<table style=\"width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;margin:15px 0\">\n<thead>\n<tr style=\"background:#004c97;color:#fff\">\n<th>Typical CNC Machining Cost Ranges (per part, 6061 Aluminum)<\/th>\n<th>Qty 1<\/th>\n<th>Qty 10<\/th>\n<th>Qty 100<\/th>\n<th>Qty 1,000<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #e5e5e5\">\n<td><strong>Simple bracket<\/strong> (1 setup, \u00b10.1 mm)<\/td>\n<td>$45\u201385<\/td>\n<td>$18\u201335<\/td>\n<td>$8\u201318<\/td>\n<td>$4\u20139<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #e5e5e5\">\n<td><strong>Moderate housing<\/strong> (2\u20133 setups, \u00b10.05 mm)<\/td>\n<td>$85\u2013180<\/td>\n<td>$35\u201375<\/td>\n<td>$18\u201340<\/td>\n<td>$10\u201322<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #e5e5e5\">\n<td><strong>Complex manifold<\/strong> (4+ setups, tight bores)<\/td>\n<td>$180\u2013400<\/td>\n<td>$75\u2013180<\/td>\n<td>$40\u201395<\/td>\n<td>$22\u201355<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #e5e5e5\">\n<td><strong>5-axis impeller<\/strong> (single setup, sculpted surfaces)<\/td>\n<td>$350\u2013800<\/td>\n<td>$150\u2013350<\/td>\n<td>$80\u2013200<\/td>\n<td>$50\u2013120<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Note:<\/strong> These ranges are for parts machined in China. US domestic prices are typically 2\u20133\u00d7 higher at prototype quantities and 1.5\u20132\u00d7 at production quantities. Add tariff for landed cost comparison (see section below).<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Cost Driver #1: Cycle Time (30\u201350% of Total)<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cycle time \u2014 the minutes the machine spends actually cutting \u2014 is the single largest cost component. It is driven by <strong>material machinability<\/strong> and <strong>feature complexity<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\">\n<table style=\"width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;margin:15px 0\">\n<thead>\n<tr style=\"background:#004c97;color:#fff\">\n<th>Material<\/th>\n<th>Relative Machinability<\/th>\n<th>Cutting Speed (SFM)<\/th>\n<th>Cycle Time vs 6061 Al<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #e5e5e5\">\n<td>6061-T6 Aluminum<\/td>\n<td>100% (baseline)<\/td>\n<td>600\u20131,200<\/td>\n<td>1\u00d7 (fastest)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #e5e5e5\">\n<td>Brass C360<\/td>\n<td>100%<\/td>\n<td>400\u2013800<\/td>\n<td>~1.2\u00d7<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #e5e5e5\">\n<td>Mild Steel 1018<\/td>\n<td>70%<\/td>\n<td>250\u2013400<\/td>\n<td>~1.5\u00d7<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #e5e5e5\">\n<td>304 Stainless<\/td>\n<td>45%<\/td>\n<td>150\u2013250<\/td>\n<td>~2.5\u00d7<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #e5e5e5\">\n<td>316L Stainless<\/td>\n<td>40%<\/td>\n<td>120\u2013200<\/td>\n<td>~3\u00d7<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #e5e5e5\">\n<td>Titanium Grade 5<\/td>\n<td>20%<\/td>\n<td>60\u2013120<\/td>\n<td>~5\u00d7<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #e5e5e5\">\n<td>PEEK<\/td>\n<td>50%<\/td>\n<td>200\u2013400<\/td>\n<td>~2\u00d7 (but no tariff penalty)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Practical impact:<\/strong> Switching from 316L stainless to 6061 aluminum cuts the machining portion of your cost by roughly 60%. If your application can tolerate aluminum (with anodizing for corrosion), the material + cycle time savings compound dramatically. If you need stainless, 303 (free-machining) costs ~20% less to machine than 304 \u2014 ask your shop if it meets the corrosion requirement.<\/p>\n<p class=\"has-background wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"background-color:#f8f9fb;padding-top:10px;padding-right:14px;padding-bottom:10px;padding-left:14px\"><strong>Best for low cycle time:<\/strong> 6061-T6 aluminum, brass C360, Delrin \u2014 materials that cut fast and are forgiving on tool wear.<br \/><strong>Avoid when:<\/strong> Specifying titanium for non-aerospace parts \u2014 5\u00d7 slower than aluminum and 4\u00d7 more expensive raw material. Unless weight or biocompatibility is non-negotiable, find an alternative.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Cost Driver #2: Setup Time (10\u201325% of Total)<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Every time the part is removed from the machine and re-fixtured to machine a new face, you pay for setup. A part machined in one setup (all features accessible from one direction) costs significantly less than the same part requiring four setups. This is why <strong>5-axis CNC machining<\/strong> \u2014 despite a higher hourly rate \u2014 can be cheaper for complex parts: it machines multiple faces in one setup, eliminating 2\u20133 re-fixturing operations.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Setup cost by process:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>1 setup:<\/strong> Baseline cost. The part is loaded once. Single-op turned parts and simple 3-axis prismatic parts fall here.<\/li>\n<li><strong>2\u20133 setups:<\/strong> +40\u201380% over baseline. Each additional setup requires a new fixture or soft jaws, tool loading, and work offset setting \u2014 typically 30\u201360 minutes of skilled labor.<\/li>\n<li><strong>4+ setups:<\/strong> +100\u2013200% over baseline. At this point, ask your shop: &#8220;Can we do this on a 5-axis machine in fewer setups?&#8221; The higher machine rate may be offset by setup elimination.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"has-background wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"background-color:#f8f9fb;padding-top:10px;padding-right:14px;padding-bottom:10px;padding-left:14px\"><strong>Best for low setup cost:<\/strong> Design parts so that all critical features are accessible from one or two directions. For multi-sided parts, consider 5-axis to reduce setups.<br \/><strong>Avoid when:<\/strong> Your design has tight-tolerance features on 6 faces of a cube \u2014 each face needs its own setup, and the tolerance stack-up between setups multiplies the scrap risk. Redesign or accept the cost.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Cost Driver #3: Material (10\u201320% of Total)<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Raw material cost varies dramatically \u2014 from ~$4\/kg for mild steel to ~$80\u2013120\/kg for PEEK. But material cost is only part of the story. Material choice also affects cycle time (see above), tool wear (stainless eats end mills 3\u00d7 faster than aluminum), and \u2014 for US importers \u2014 the <strong>tariff rate<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\">\n<table style=\"width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;margin:15px 0\">\n<thead>\n<tr style=\"background:#004c97;color:#fff\">\n<th>Material<\/th>\n<th>Raw Cost\/kg<\/th>\n<th>Machinability<\/th>\n<th>US Tariff (from China)<\/th>\n<th>Landed Cost Factor<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #e5e5e5\">\n<td>6061 Aluminum<\/td>\n<td>$4\u20136<\/td>\n<td>\u2b50\u2b50\u2b50\u2b50\u2b50<\/td>\n<td>78%<\/td>\n<td>1.8\u00d7 part price<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #e5e5e5\">\n<td>1018 Mild Steel<\/td>\n<td>$3\u20135<\/td>\n<td>\u2b50\u2b50\u2b50\u2b50<\/td>\n<td>78%<\/td>\n<td>1.8\u00d7<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #e5e5e5\">\n<td>304 Stainless<\/td>\n<td>$6\u20138<\/td>\n<td>\u2b50\u2b50\u2b50<\/td>\n<td>78%<\/td>\n<td>1.8\u00d7<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #e5e5e5\">\n<td>316L Stainless<\/td>\n<td>$8\u201312<\/td>\n<td>\u2b50\u2b50\u2b50<\/td>\n<td>78%<\/td>\n<td>1.8\u00d7<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #e5e5e5\">\n<td>Brass C360<\/td>\n<td>$8\u201312<\/td>\n<td>\u2b50\u2b50\u2b50\u2b50\u2b50<\/td>\n<td>53%<\/td>\n<td>1.5\u00d7<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #e5e5e5\">\n<td>Titanium Grade 5<\/td>\n<td>$40\u201360<\/td>\n<td>\u2b50<\/td>\n<td>78%<\/td>\n<td>1.8\u00d7<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #e5e5e5\">\n<td>PEEK<\/td>\n<td>$80\u2013120<\/td>\n<td>\u2b50\u2b50\u2b50<\/td>\n<td>28%<\/td>\n<td>1.3\u00d7<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #e5e5e5\">\n<td>Delrin (POM)<\/td>\n<td>$6\u201310<\/td>\n<td>\u2b50\u2b50\u2b50\u2b50\u2b50<\/td>\n<td>28%<\/td>\n<td>1.3\u00d7<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>The tariff asymmetry is real:<\/strong> A $50 aluminum part lands at ~$95 (part + $39 tariff + $6 freight). A $50 Delrin part lands at ~$70 (part + $14 tariff + $6 freight). If Delrin meets your functional requirements, the 50% landed cost difference is impossible to ignore.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Cost Driver #4: Tolerances \u2014 The Precision Tax<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Every dimension with a \u00b10.01 mm tolerance costs more than a \u00b10.1 mm tolerance. The cost curve is not linear \u2014 it jumps at specific thresholds:<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\">\n<table style=\"width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;margin:15px 0\">\n<thead>\n<tr style=\"background:#004c97;color:#fff\">\n<th>Tolerance<\/th>\n<th>Cost Multiplier<\/th>\n<th>What Changes<\/th>\n<th>Example<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #e5e5e5\">\n<td>\u00b10.10 mm<\/td>\n<td>1\u00d7 (baseline)<\/td>\n<td>Standard machining \u2014 any shop can hold this<\/td>\n<td>Clearance holes, bracket outlines<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #e5e5e5\">\n<td>\u00b10.05 mm<\/td>\n<td>1.2\u20131.5\u00d7<\/td>\n<td>Slower feed rates, more frequent tool changes<\/td>\n<td>Bearing bores, locating features<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #e5e5e5\">\n<td>\u00b10.02 mm<\/td>\n<td>1.5\u20132.5\u00d7<\/td>\n<td>Temperature-controlled inspection, dedicated fixturing<\/td>\n<td>Dowel pin holes, seal surfaces<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #e5e5e5\">\n<td>\u00b10.01 mm<\/td>\n<td>2\u20133\u00d7<\/td>\n<td>Secondary operation (grinding\/honing\/reaming), CMM inspection<\/td>\n<td>Bearing journals, valve seats<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #e5e5e5\">\n<td>\u00b10.005 mm<\/td>\n<td>5\u201310\u00d7<\/td>\n<td>Specialized grinding, climate-controlled environment, 100% inspection<\/td>\n<td>Aerospace critical, optical mounts<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>The tolerance rule of thumb:<\/strong> For every tight-tolerance dimension on your drawing, ask: &#8220;What happens if this is \u00b10.1 mm instead?&#8221; If the answer is &#8220;it still works,&#8221; delete the tight tolerance. One unnecessary \u00b10.01 mm callout can add $10\u201330 per part. Ten of them can double your quote.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Cost Driver #5: Quantity \u2014 The Learning Curve and the Setup Amortization<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Quantity is the most powerful cost lever in CNC machining \u2014 and the relationship is not linear:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>1\u201310 parts (prototype):<\/strong> You pay full setup + programming cost. These fixed costs can be 40\u201360% of the total. A $200 programming fee on 5 parts = $40\/part in programming alone. On 500 parts = $0.40\/part.<\/li>\n<li><strong>50\u2013200 parts (small production):<\/strong> Setup and programming are largely amortized. Cycle time and material dominate. Unit cost drops 60\u201380% from prototype pricing.<\/li>\n<li><strong>500\u20135,000 parts (production):<\/strong> Fixturing is optimized (dedicated soft jaws, multi-part fixtures). Cycle time is tuned. Material is purchased at volume pricing. Unit cost drops another 30\u201350%.<\/li>\n<li><strong>5,000+ parts (high volume):<\/strong> You approach the material + machine time floor. Further savings come from design optimization (reducing cycle time) and material sourcing \u2014 not from amortizing fixed costs, which are already near zero per part.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"has-background wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"background-color:#f8f9fb;padding-top:10px;padding-right:14px;padding-bottom:10px;padding-left:14px\"><strong>Best for quantity savings:<\/strong> Order 100+ parts. The setup\/programming amortization cliff is between 50\u2013100 parts \u2014 below that, fixed costs dominate. Above that, you are paying for material and machine time.<br \/><strong>Avoid when:<\/strong> Ordering 5,000 identical parts from a shop optimized for prototypes. A production shop with multi-part fixtures and automated loading will quote 30\u201350% less than a prototype shop \u2014 even at the same hourly rate.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Cost Driver #6: Surface Finishes and Post-Processing<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Every process that happens after the part comes off the machine adds cost. Some are essential (deburring). Some are cosmetic. Some are both. Know the difference:<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\">\n<table style=\"width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;margin:15px 0\">\n<thead>\n<tr style=\"background:#004c97;color:#fff\">\n<th>Finish<\/th>\n<th>Cost Impact<\/th>\n<th>Lead Time Impact<\/th>\n<th>When to Use<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #e5e5e5\">\n<td>As-Machined + Deburr<\/td>\n<td>$ (baseline)<\/td>\n<td>0 days<\/td>\n<td>Internal parts, hidden surfaces, functional prototypes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #e5e5e5\">\n<td>Bead Blast<\/td>\n<td>+$2\u20135\/part<\/td>\n<td>+1 day<\/td>\n<td>Cosmetic matte finish on aluminum or stainless<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #e5e5e5\">\n<td>Anodize Type II (clear\/black)<\/td>\n<td>+$3\u20138\/part<\/td>\n<td>+3\u20135 days<\/td>\n<td>Aluminum corrosion protection + color<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #e5e5e5\">\n<td>Anodize Type III (hardcoat)<\/td>\n<td>+$8\u201320\/part<\/td>\n<td>+5\u20137 days<\/td>\n<td>Aluminum wear surfaces (50\u201370 HRC surface)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #e5e5e5\">\n<td>Powder Coat<\/td>\n<td>+$5\u201315\/part<\/td>\n<td>+3\u20135 days<\/td>\n<td>Steel\/aluminum durable color finish<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #e5e5e5\">\n<td>Passivation<\/td>\n<td>+$1\u20133\/part<\/td>\n<td>+1 day<\/td>\n<td>Stainless steel \u2014 always specify after machining<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #e5e5e5\">\n<td>Electroless Nickel<\/td>\n<td>+$8\u201325\/part<\/td>\n<td>+3\u20135 days<\/td>\n<td>Steel \u2014 uniform corrosion protection, no thickness variation<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The US Buyer&#8217;s Landed Cost Equation<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you are sourcing <strong>CNC machining from China<\/strong>, the quoted part price is only the starting point. Your actual cost is:<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"text-align:center;font-size:16px;padding:15px;background:#f0f4ff\"><strong>Landed Cost = (Part Price \u00d7 [1 + Tariff Rate]) + Freight + Customs Broker Fee<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Worked example for a <strong>$50 aluminum bracket, qty 100, shipped from China by air<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\">\n<table style=\"width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;margin:15px 0\">\n<thead>\n<tr style=\"background:#004c97;color:#fff\">\n<th>Line Item<\/th>\n<th>Per Part<\/th>\n<th>Total (100 parts)<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #e5e5e5\">\n<td>Part price (quoted)<\/td>\n<td>$50.00<\/td>\n<td>$5,000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #e5e5e5\">\n<td>Section 301 tariff (25%)<\/td>\n<td>$12.50<\/td>\n<td>$1,250<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #e5e5e5\">\n<td>Section 232 aluminum tariff (50%)<\/td>\n<td>$25.00<\/td>\n<td>$2,500<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #e5e5e5\">\n<td>Base duty (3%)<\/td>\n<td>$1.50<\/td>\n<td>$150<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #e5e5e5\">\n<td>Air freight (DHL, 3\u20135 day)<\/td>\n<td>$5.00<\/td>\n<td>$500<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #e5e5e5\">\n<td>Customs broker fee<\/td>\n<td>$1.50<\/td>\n<td>$150<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"border-bottom:1px solid #e5e5e5\">\n<td><strong>Landed cost<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>$95.50<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>$9,550<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Now compare with <strong>US domestic quoting<\/strong>: the same bracket from a US shop typically costs $85\u2013150\/part. The China landed cost of $95.50 is at the low end of that range. For a 100-part order, the savings are $0\u20135,500 \u2014 real but not transformative. The tariff math narrows the gap considerably on metal parts. For a detailed comparison of custom shops vs platforms, see our <a href=\"https:\/\/bravofabs.com\/custom-cnc-machining-vs-standard\/\">custom vs standard CNC machining<\/a> analysis.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>But switch to Delrin (plastic):<\/strong> China quote is similar (~$45, plastic machines even faster than aluminum). Tariff drops to 28% ($12.60). Landed cost = ~$64\/part. US domestic for Delrin CNC: $75\u2013120\/part. Now the savings are $1,100\u20135,600 on 100 parts \u2014 and the gap widens with quantity.<\/p>\n<p class=\"has-background wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"background-color:#f8f9fb;padding-top:10px;padding-right:14px;padding-bottom:10px;padding-left:14px\"><strong>Best for landed cost:<\/strong> Non-metal CNC parts (Delrin, PEEK, nylon) \u2014 28% tariff. Aluminum and steel parts are still competitive but with a narrower margin after 78% tariff.<br \/><strong>Avoid when:<\/strong> High-value aluminum parts where the tariff alone ($39 on $50) erases most of the China cost advantage. Compare with US domestic or Mexico (USMCA duty-free) alternatives.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to Cut Your Quote Before You Send the RFQ<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Five DFM optimizations that reduce <strong>CNC machining cost<\/strong> by 20\u201340% \u2014 applied before the shop ever sees your drawing:<\/p>\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Relax non-critical tolerances.<\/strong> Every \u00b10.01 mm on your drawing is a cost multiplier. Go through dimension by dimension: which ones actually need to be tight? Change the rest to \u00b10.1 mm or leave them to the general tolerance standard (ISO 2768-mK).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Add internal corner radii \u2265 1 mm.<\/strong> Sharp inside corners require tiny end mills that break easily and take many passes. A 1 mm radius allows a standard \u00d82 mm end mill to cut the corner in one pass. Cycle time drops 20\u201340% on pocket-heavy parts.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Reduce setups by orienting features to one or two faces.<\/strong> If you have holes on 5 faces of a part, ask: can any of these be moved to a face that already has features? Each eliminated setup saves 30\u201360 minutes of labor.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Choose free-machining material grades.<\/strong> 303 stainless instead of 304. 6061-T6 instead of 7075. C360 brass instead of C260. The machinability difference is 20\u201350% faster cycle time with longer tool life.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Avoid deep pockets with small corner radii.<\/strong> A pocket 50 mm deep with R1 mm corners requires a long-reach \u00d82 mm end mill that deflects, chatters, and must move slowly. Widen the corner radius to R3 mm (\u00d86 mm tool) or reduce the pocket depth. Cycle time can drop by 50% or more.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Conclusion: The Cheapest Part Is the One Designed for the Process<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>CNC machining cost<\/strong> is not mysterious. It is the sum of material, machine time, setup labor, and post-processing \u2014 all driven by design decisions made before the RFQ is sent. A part optimized for manufacturability costs half what an unoptimized one costs, even from the same shop on the same machine. The best time to reduce cost is not during supplier negotiation. It is during design. Run through the five DFM optimizations above. Then send the RFQ. The quote that comes back will reflect the engineering you put in \u2014 not the engineering you left out.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-light-gray-background-color has-background is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-e86b207e wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-color:#1e73be;border-width:2px;padding-top:20px;padding-right:24px;padding-bottom:20px;padding-left:24px\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Want an Accurate CNC Machining Cost Estimate? Send Us Your Drawing<\/h3>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">BravoFabs provides <strong>CNC machining with transparent cost breakdowns<\/strong> \u2014 part price, tariff estimate, and freight \u2014 so you can compare landed cost directly with your domestic supplier. Every quote includes a free DFM review that identifies cost-saving opportunities before production starts., 50+ machines, US-friendly engineering support. <strong>First order under $800 ships tariff-free.<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-white-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-background-color has-text-color has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/bravofabs.com\/contact\/\" style=\"border-radius:6px\">Get a CNC Machining Cost Estimate \u2192<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-cbfb3306 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-left-color:#2563eb;border-left-width:4px;border-left-style:solid;background-color:#f0f4ff;margin-top:32px;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:12px;padding-bottom:12px;padding-left:20px;padding-right:24px\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:15px;font-style:normal;font-weight:700;line-height:1.4;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:8px\">\ud83d\udd17 Related Manufacturing Services &amp; Articles<\/h4>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\" style=\"font-size:14px;line-height:1.7;padding-left:18px\">\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/bravofabs.com\/cnc-machining-service\/\">CNC Machining Service<\/a><\/strong> \u2014 3\/4\/5-axis milling, turning &amp; Swiss, transparent pricing with landed cost breakdown<\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/bravofabs.com\/sheet-metal-fabrication-services\/\">Sheet Metal Fabrication<\/a><\/strong> \u2014 laser cutting, bending &amp; welding for complete assemblies<\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/bravofabs.com\/cnc-machining-parts-complete-guide\/\">CNC Machining Parts: Complete Guide<\/a><\/strong> \u2014 materials, tolerances, surface finishes &amp; process selection<\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/bravofabs.com\/why-us-companies-source-cnc-parts-from-china\/\">Why US Companies Source CNC Parts from China<\/a><\/strong> \u2014 tariff structure, de minimis &amp; landed cost case studies<\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/bravofabs.com\/custom-cnc-machining-vs-standard\/\">Custom vs Standard CNC Machining<\/a><\/strong> \u2014 when to use a custom shop vs an online platform<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"rs-section\">\n<div class=\"rs-container\">\n<h2>Explore Related Manufacturing Services<\/h2>\n<div class=\"rs-grid\">\n<div class=\"rs-card\"><a href=\"\/cnc-machining-services\/\">CNC Machining Services<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Precision CNC milling, turning &amp; 5-axis machining. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"rs-section\"><div class=\"rs-container\"><h2>Explore Related Manufacturing Services<\/h2><div class=\"rs-grid\"><div class=\"rs-card\"><a href=\"\/cnc-machining-services\/\">CNC Machining Services<\/a><p>Precision CNC milling, turning &amp; 5-axis machining.<\/p><\/div><div class=\"rs-card\"><a href=\"\/sheet-metal-fabrication-services\/\">Sheet Metal Fabrication<\/a><p>Laser cutting, bending, welding &amp; assembly.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Key Takeaways CNC machining costs $15\u2013200+ per part at prototype quantities, depending on material, complexity, and tolerances. Simple aluminum brackets start around $15\u201330; complex 5-axis titanium aerospace parts can exceed $500. The six cost drivers, ranked by impact: cycle time (30\u201350% of total) \u2192 setup time (10\u201325%) \u2192 material (10\u201320%) \u2192 post-processing (5\u201315%) \u2192 inspection [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_titles_title":"How Much Does CNC Machining Cost? 2026 Pricing Guide | BravoFabs","_seopress_titles_desc":"Real CNC machining cost breakdown: cycle time, materials, tolerances, quantity & surface finishes. US landed cost with tariffs (28-78%). Free quote with DFM review.","_seopress_robots_index":"","_seopress_robots_follow":"","_seopress_robots_imageindex":"","_seopress_robots_snippet":"","_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_robots_breadcrumbs":"","_seopress_robots_freeze_modified_date":"","_seopress_robots_custom_modified_date":"","_seopress_robots_canonical":"","_seopress_social_fb_title":"","_seopress_social_fb_desc":"","_seopress_social_fb_img":"","_seopress_social_fb_img_attachment_id":0,"_seopress_social_fb_img_width":0,"_seopress_social_fb_img_height":0,"_seopress_social_twitter_title":"","_seopress_social_twitter_desc":"","_seopress_social_twitter_img":"","_seopress_social_twitter_img_attachment_id":0,"_seopress_social_twitter_img_width":0,"_seopress_social_twitter_img_height":0,"_seopress_redirections_value":"","_seopress_redirections_enabled":"","_seopress_redirections_enabled_regex":"","_seopress_redirections_logged_status":"","_seopress_redirections_param":"","_seopress_redirections_type":0,"_seopress_analysis_target_kw":"cnc machining cost","footnotes":""},"categories":[40],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2991","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","category-knowledge-base"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bravofabs.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2991","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bravofabs.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bravofabs.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bravofabs.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2991"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/bravofabs.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2991\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3049,"href":"https:\/\/bravofabs.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2991\/revisions\/3049"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bravofabs.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2991"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bravofabs.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2991"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bravofabs.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2991"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}