I. Laser Cutting Thickness & Speed Chart

1. 500W – 12kW Laser Cutting Speed Chart
Unit: m/min
Metals | 500W | 1000W | 1500 | 2000W | 3000W | 4000W | 6000W | 8000W | 10kW | 12kW | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Thickness | speed | speed | speed | speed | speed | speed | speed | speed | speed | speed | |
Mild Steel (Q235A) | 1 | 7.0–9.0 | 8.0–10 | 15–26 | 24–30 | 30–40 | 33–42 | 35–42 | 35–42 | 35–42 | 35–42 |
2 | 3.0–4.5 | 4.0–6.5 | 4.5–7.0 | 4.7–6.0 | 4.8–7.5 | 5.2–8.0 | 6.0–8.0 | 6.2–10 | 7.0–12 | 10–13 | |
3 | 1.8–3.0 | 2.4–3.0 | 2.6–4.0 | 3.0–4.8 | 3.3–5.0 | 3.5–5.5 | 3.8–6.5 | 4.0–7.0 | 4.2–7.5 | 4.5–8.0 | |
4 | 1.3–1.5 | 2.0–2.4 | 2.5–3.0 | 2.8–3.5 | 3.0–4.2 | 3.1–4.8 | 3.5–5.0 | 3.5–5.5 | 3.5–5.5 | 3.5–5.5 | |
5 | 0.9–1.1 | 1.5–2.0 | 2.0–2.5 | 2.2–3.0 | 2.6–3.5 | 2.7–3.6 | 3.3–4.2 | 3.3–4.5 | 3.3–4.5 | 3.3–4.8 | |
6 | 0.6–0.9 | 1.4–1.6 | 1.6–2.2 | 1.8–2.6 | 2.3–3.2 | 2.5–3.4 | 2.8–4.0 | 3.0–4.2 | 3.0–4.2 | 3.0–4.2 | |
8 | 0.8–1.2 | 1.0–1.4 | 1.2–1.8 | 1.8–2.6 | 2.0–3.0 | 2.2–3.2 | 2.5–3.5 | 2.5–3.5 | 2.5–3.5 | ||
10 | 0.6–1.0 | 0.8–1.1 | 1.1–1.3 | 1.2–2.0 | 1.5–2.0 | 1.8–2.5 | 2.2–2.7 | 2.2–2.7 | 2.2–2.7 | ||
12 | 0.5–0.8 | 0.7–1.0 | 0.9–1.2 | 1.0–1.6 | 1.2–1.8 | 1.2–2.0 | 1.2–2.1 | 1.2–2.1 | 1.2–2.1 | ||
14 | 0.5–0.7 | 0.7–0.8 | 0.9–1.4 | 0.9–1.2 | 1.5–1.8 | 1.7–1.9 | 1.7–1.9 | 1.7–1.9 | |||
16 | 0.6-0.7 | 0.7–1.0 | 0.8–1.0 | 0.8–1.5 | 0.9–1.7 | 0.9–1.7 | 0.9–1.7 | ||||
18 | 0.4–0.6 | 0.6–0.8 | 0.65–0.9 | 0.65–0.9 | 0.65–0.9 | 0.65–0.9 | 0.65–0.9 | ||||
20 | 0.5–0.8 | 0.6–0.9 | 0.6–0.9 | 0.6–0.9 | 0.6–0.9 | 0.6–0.9 | |||||
22 | 0.4–0.6 | 0.5–0.8 | 0.5–0.8 | 0.5–0.8 | 0.5–0.8 | 0.5–0.8 | |||||
25 | 0.3–0.5 | 0.3–0.5 | 0.3–0.7 | 0.3–0.7 | 0.3–0.7 | ||||||
Stainless Steel (201) | 1 | 8.0–13 | 18–25 | 20–27 | 24–30 | 30–35 | 32–40 | 45–55 | 50–66 | 60–75 | 70–85 |
2 | 2.4–5.0 | 7.0–12 | 8.0–13 | 9.0–14 | 13–21 | 16–28 | 20–35 | 30–42 | 40–55 | 50–66 | |
3 | 0.6–0.8 | 1.8–2.5 | 3.0–5.0 | 4.0–6.5 | 6.0–10 | 7.0–15 | 15–24 | 20–30 | 27–38 | 33–45 | |
4 | 1.2–1.3 | 1.5–2.4 | 3.0–4.5 | 4.0–6.0 | 5.0–8.0 | 10–16 | 14–21 | 18–25 | 22–32 | ||
5 | 0.6–0.7 | 0.7–1.3 | 1.8-2.5 | 3.0–5.0 | 4.0–5.5 | 8.0–12 | 12–17 | 15–22 | 18–25 | ||
6 | 0.7–1.0 | 1.2-2.0 | 2.0–4.0 | 2.5–4.5 | 6.0–9.0 | 8.0–14.0 | 12–15 | 15–21 | |||
8 | 0.7-1.0 | 1.5–2.0 | 1.6–3.0 | 4.0–5.0 | 6.0–8.0 | 8.0–12.0 | 10–16 | ||||
10 | 0.6–0.8 | 0.8–1.2 | 1.8–2.5 | 3.0–5.0 | 6.0–8.0 | 8.0–12 | |||||
12 | 0.4–0.6 | 0.5–0.8 | 1.2–1.8 | 1.8–3.0 | 3.0–5.0 | 6.0–8.0 | |||||
14 | 0.4–0.6 | 0.6–0.8 | 1.2–1.8 | 1.8–3.0 | 3.0–5.0 | ||||||
20 | 0.4–0.6 | 0.6–0.7 | 1.2–1.8 | 1.8–3.0 | |||||||
25 | 0.5–0.6 | 0.6–0.7 | 1.2–1.8 | ||||||||
30 | 0.4–0.5 | 0.5–0.6 | 0.6–0.7 | ||||||||
40 | 0.4–0.5 | 0.5–0.6 | |||||||||
Aluminum | 1 | 4.0–5.5 | 6.0–10 | 10–20 | 15–25 | 25–38 | 35–40 | 45–55 | 50–65 | 60–75 | 70–85 |
2 | 0.7–1.5 | 2.8–3.6 | 5.0–7.0 | 7–10 | 10–18 | 13–25 | 20–30 | 25–38 | 33–45 | 38–50 | |
3 | 0.7–1.5 | 2.0–4.0 | 4.0–6.0 | 6.5–8.0 | 7.0–13 | 13–18 | 20–30 | 25–35 | 30–40 | ||
4 | 1.0–1.5 | 2.0–3.0 | 3.5–5.0 | 4.0–5.5 | 10–12 | 13–18 | 21–30 | 25–38 | |||
5 | 0.7–1.0 | 1.2–1.8 | 2.5–3.5 | 3.0–4.5 | 5.0–8.0 | 9.0–12 | 13–20 | 15–25 | |||
6 | 0.7–1.0 | 1.5–2.5 | 2.0–3.5 | 4.0–6.0 | 4.5–8.0 | 9.0–12 | 13–18 | ||||
8 | 0.6–0.8 | 0.7–1.0 | 0.9–1.6 | 2.0–3.0 | 4.0–6.0 | 4.5–8.0 | 9.0–12 | ||||
10 | 0.4–0.7 | 0.6–1.5 | 1.0–2.0 | 2.2–3.0 | 4.0–6.0 | 4.5–8.0 | |||||
12 | 0.3-0.45 | 0.4–0.6 | 0.8–1.4 | 1.5–2.0 | 2.2–3.0 | 4.0–6.0 | |||||
16 | 0.3–0.4 | 0.6–0.8 | 1.0–1.6 | 1.5–2.0 | 2.2–3.0 | ||||||
20 | 0.5–0.7 | 0.7–1.0 | 1.0–1.6 | 1.5–2.0 | |||||||
25 | 0.5–0.7 | 0.7–1.0 | 1.0–1.6 | ||||||||
35 | 0.5–0.7 | 0.7–1.0 | |||||||||
Brass | 1 | 4.0–5.5 | 6.0–10 | 8.0–13 | 10–16 | 20–35 | 25–30 | 45–55 | 55–65 | 65–75 | 75–85 |
2 | 0.5–1.0 | 2.8–3.6 | 3.0–4.5 | 4.5–7.5 | 6.0–10 | 8.0–12 | 25–30 | 30–40 | 33–45 | 38–50 | |
3 | 0.5–1.0 | 1.5–2.5 | 2.5–4.0 | 4.0–6.0 | 5.0–6.5 | 12–18 | 20–30 | 25–40 | 30–50 | ||
4 | 1.0–1.6 | 1.5–2.0 | 3.0-5.0 | 3.2–5.5 | 8.0–10 | 10–18 | 15–24 | 25–33 | |||
5 | 0.5–0.7 | 0.9–1.2 | 1.5–2.0 | 2.0–3.0 | 4.5–6.0 | 7.0–9.0 | 9.0–15 | 15–24 | |||
6 | 0.4–0.7 | 1.0–1.8 | 1.4–2.0 | 3.0–4.5 | 4.5–6.5 | 7.0–9.0 | 9.0–15 | ||||
8 | 0.5–0.7 | 0.7–1.0 | 1.6–2.2 | 2.4–4.0 | 4.5–6.5 | 7.0–9.0 | |||||
10 | 0.2–0.4 | 0.8–1.2 | 1.5–2.2 | 2.4–4.0 | 4.5–6.5 | ||||||
12 | 0.2–0.4 | 0.8–1.5 | 1.5–2.2 | 2.4–4.0 | |||||||
14 | 0.4–0.6 | 0.6–0.8 | 0.8–1.5 |
Note:
The following data in the laser cutting thickness & speed chart is for reference only!
Several factors can affect the cutting speed in laser technology, such as fiber optics, material quality, gases, optical lenses, cutting patterns, and other site-specific conditions that require adjustments.
The diagram shows that the yellow section represents pure nitrogen cutting, while the blue section represents pure oxygen cutting.
It is important to note that laser cutting may not be efficient when working with limited materials, which can result in suboptimal outcomes and hinder continuous processing.
When cutting highly anti-corrosive materials such as copper and aluminum, it is crucial to pay special attention to adjusting the process.
It is not recommended to process continuously for extended periods of time to avoid potential damage.

2. 750W Laser
Power | 750w | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Material | Thickness (mm) | Speed (m/min) | Pressure (MPA) | Gas |
Stainless steel | 0.5 | >21 | 1 | N2 |
1 | 12~18 | >1.1 | ||
2 | 3.6~4.2 | >1.5 | ||
3 | 1.2~1.8 | >1.8 | ||
4 | 0.78~1.2 | >2.0 | ||
Carbon steel | 1 | 12~18 | 1 | O2 |
2 | 4.2~5.4 | 0.6~0.8 | ||
3 | 3~3.9 | 0.25~0.4 | ||
4 | 1.8~2.4 | 0.15~0.2 | ||
5 | 1.2~1.8 | 0.15~0.2 | ||
6 | 0.9~1.2 | 0.10~0.15 | ||
8 | 0.72~1.84 | 0.10~0.15 |
3. 20kW Laser Cutting Speed
Unit: m/min
Metal | Mild Steel | Stainless Steel | Aluminum | Brass | ||||
Thickness (mm) | O2 | O2 | Mix | Air | N2 | Air | N2 | N2 |
(Positive Focus) | (Negative Focus) | (Mixed Gas/N2 Generator) | ||||||
1 | 7.0-10.0 | / | 30.0-80.0 | 30.0-80.0 | 30.0-80.0 | 30.0-80.0 | 30.0-80.0 | 30.0-80.0 |
2 | 5.0-7.0 | / | 30.0-50.0 | 30.0-50.0 | 30.0-50.0 | 30.0-50.0 | 30.0-50.0 | 30.0-50.0 |
3 | 4.5-6.0 | / | 25.0-40.0 | 25.0-40.0 | 25.0-40.0 | 25.0-40.0 | 25.0-40.0 | 25.0-45.0 |
4 | 3.5-3.9 | / | 25.0-35.0 | 25.0-35.0 | 25.0-35.0 | 25.0-35.0 | 25.0-35.0 | 20.0-35.0 |
5 | 3.2-3.5 | / | 20.0-28.0 | 20.0-28.0 | 20.0-28.0 | 20.0-28.0 | 20.0-28.0 | 14.0-24.0 |
6 | 2.9-3.2 | / | 18.0-28.0 | 18.0-28.0 | 18.0-28.0 | 18.0-28.0 | 18.0-28.0 | 12.0-20.0 |
8 | 2.5-2.7 | 3.2-3.8 | 13.0-16.0 | 13.0-16.0 | 13.0-16.0 | 13.0-18.0 | 13.0-18.0 | 8.0-13.0 |
10 | 1.9-2.2 | 3.2-3.6 | 8.0-10.0 | 8.0-10.0 | 8.0-10.0 | 8.0-11.0 | 9.0-12.0 | 6.0-9.0 |
12 | 1.8-2.1 | 3.1-3.5 | 7.0-8.0 | 7.0-8.0 | 7.0-8.0 | 7.0-8.5 | 5.0-7.5 | 4.0-6.0 |
14 | 1.6-1.8 | 3.0-3.4 | 5.5-6.5 | 5.5-6.5 | 5.5-6.5 | 5.5-7.0 | 4.5-5.5 | 3.5-4.5 |
16 | 1.5-1.7 | 3.0-3.3 | 4.0-5.0 | 4.0-5.0 | 4.0-5.0 | 4.0-5.3 | 2.5-4.5 | 3.0-4.0 |
18 | 1.5-1.6 | 3.0-3.3 | 3.0-3.8 | / | 3.0-3.8 | 3.0-4.0 | 2.0-3.5 | 2.5-3.5 |
20 | 1.3-1.5 | 2.6-3.2 | 2.6-3.2 | / | 2.6-3.3 | 2.6-3.6 | 1.5-2.0 | 1.5-2.5 |
22 | / | / | / | / | 1.6-2.6 | 1.6-2.8 | 1.2-1.8 | / |
25 | 0.8-1.3 | 2.2-2.8 | / | / | 1.2-2.0 | 1.2-2.2 | 1.0-1.5 | 0.5-0.8 |
30 | 0.7-1.2 | 2.0-2.7 | / | / | 0.8-1.0 | 0.8-1.2 | 0.7-1.2 | 0.3-0.5 |
35 | / | / | / | / | 0.4-0.7 | 0.4-0.8 | 0.5-0.9 | / |
40 | 0.8-1.1 | 1.0-1.3 | / | / | 0.3-0.6 | 0.3-0.7 | 0.3-0.5 | / |
50 | 0.3-0.6 | / | / | / | 0.2-0.4 | 0.2-0.4 | 0.2-0.3 | / |
60 | 0.2-0.5 | / | / | / | 0.2-0.3 | / | 0.1-0.2 | / |
4. 30kW Laser Cutting Speed
Thickness (mm) | Metal | Cutting Speed (m/min) | Auxiliary Gas |
1 | Mild Steel | 10.0-15.0/30.0-80.0 | O2/N2 |
2 | 6.0-8.0/30.0-50.0 | ||
3 | 5.0-6.0/30.0-40.0 | ||
4 | 3.5-3.9/25.0-35.0 | ||
5 | 3.2-3.5/22.0-30.0 | ||
6 | 2.9-3.2/18.0-22.0 | ||
8 | 2.5-3.7/14.0-18.0 | ||
10 | 2-3.6/12.0-14.0 | ||
12 | 1.8-3.3/10.0-12.0 | ||
16 | 1.4-3.2/6.0-8.0 | ||
20 | 1.3-2.8/4.0-5.5 | ||
25 | 1.1-2.2/2.5-3.5 | ||
30 | 1.0-1.7 | O2 | |
40 | 0.7-0.9 | ||
50 | 0.3-0.4 | ||
60 | 0.15-0.2 | ||
1 | Stainless Steel | 30.0-80.0 | N2 |
2 | 30.0-50.0 | ||
3 | 25.0-45.0 | ||
4 | 25.0-35.0 | ||
5 | 20.0-28.0 | ||
6 | 24.0-32.0 | ||
8 | 20.0-27.0 | ||
10 | 16.0-22.0 | ||
12 | 11.0-13.0 | ||
16 | 7.5-9.5 | ||
20 | 4.5-5.5 | ||
25 | 2.5-3.0 | ||
30 | 1.5-2.1 | ||
35 | 1.0-1.1 | ||
40 | 0.6-0.8 | ||
50 | 0.2-0.3 | ||
60 | 0.1-0.2 | ||
70 | 0.1-0.16 | ||
1 | Aluminum | 30.0-80.0 | N2 |
2 | 30.0-60.0 | ||
3 | 25.0-50.0 | ||
4 | 25.0-40.0 | ||
5 | 23.0-35.0 | ||
6 | 22.0-30.0 | ||
8 | 18.0-25.0 | ||
10 | 10.0-14.0 | ||
12 | 5.8-8.5 | ||
16 | 3.5-8.0 | ||
18 | 2.5-6.5 | ||
20 | 2.0-4.0 | ||
22 | 1.5-3.0 | ||
25 | 1.0-2.0 | ||
30 | 0.8-1.5 | ||
35 | 0.6-1.2 | ||
40 | 0.5-1.0 | ||
50 | 0.4-0.6 | ||
60 | 0.3-0.4 | ||
1 | Brass | 30.0-80.0 | N2 |
2 | 30.0-50.0 | ||
3 | 25.0-45.0 | ||
4 | 24.0-35.0 | ||
5 | 17.0-24.0 | ||
6 | 12.0-20.0 | ||
8 | 9.0-15.0 | ||
10 | 6.0-10.0 | ||
12 | 3.7-6.5 | ||
16 | 2.4-3.3 | ||
20 | 1.1-2.4 | ||
25 | 0.7-1.6 | ||
30 | 0.55-0.9 |
See also:
- 750-6000W Fiber Laser Cutting Speed (Raycus Laser Source)
- 1000-6000W Fiber Laser Cutting Speed (IPG Laser Source)
- CO2 Laser Cutting Thickness & Speed chart
- Bystronic Laser Cutting Chart
II. Parameters for Laser Cutting Stainless Steel
Stainless steel material thickness | mm | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 8 |
Incident beam diameter | mm | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 |
Cutting auxiliary gas | N2 | N2 | N2 | N2 | N2 | N2 | N2 | |
Auxiliary gas pressure | bar | 8 | 10 | 13 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 20 |
Cutting nozzle diameter | mm | 1.5 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2.5 |
Position of the cutting nozzle relative to the material | mm | 1 | 1 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 8 | 0.8 |
Cutting seam width | mm | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.12 | 0.12 | 0.12 | 0.12 | 0.12 |
Lens focal length | inch | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 7.5 |
Focal point position | -0.5 | -1 | -2 | 3 | -3.5 | -4.5 | -6 | |
Piercing | ||||||||
Laser Mode | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | SP | |
Laser Frequency | Hz | 200 | 200 | 200 | 250 | 250 | 250 | 250 |
Laser Power | W | 600 | 800 | 800 | 1100 | 1100 | 1350 | 1350 |
Duty Cycle | % | 20 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 |
Delay Time | Sec | 2 | 2 | 0.5 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
Focal Position | mm | -0.5 | -1 | -2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Auxiliary O2 Pressure | bar | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Small Hole | ||||||||
Laser Mode | SP | SP | SP | CW | CW | CW | CW | |
Laser Frequency | Hz | 200 | 750 | 750 | ||||
Laser Power | W | 800 | 1200 | 1200 | 1500 | 1500 | 1800 | 2200 |
Duty Cycle | % | 25 | 50 | 55 | ||||
Feed Rate | mm/min | 500 | 1300 | 1000 | 900 | 700 | 800 | 500 |
Large Hole | ||||||||
Laser Mode | CW | CW | CW | CW | CW | CW | CW | |
Laser Power | W | 1200 | 1500 | 1500 | 2200 | 2200 | 2200 | 2200 |
Feed Rate | mm/min | 3000 | 2500 | 1800 | 1600 | 1300 | 1000 | 500 |
Cutting | ||||||||
Laser Mode | CW | CW | CW | CW | CW | CW | CW | |
Laser Power | W | 800 | 1100 | 1800 | 1800 | 1800 | 1500 | 1500 |
Feed Rate | mm/min | 1500 | 2000 | 2500 | 1350 | 1100 | 500-800 | 275 |
Laser Mode | CW | CW | CW | CW | CW | CW | CW | |
Laser Power | W | 1500 | 1800 | 2200 | 2200 | 2200 | 2200 | 1800 |
Feed Rate | mm/min | 4000 | 3500 | 2700 | 1600 | 1300 | 1000 | 350 |
Laser Mode | CW | CW | CW | |||||
Laser Power | W | 1800 | 2200 | 2200 | ||||
Feed Rate | mm/min | 5600 | 3750 | 500 | ||||
Laser Mode | CW | |||||||
Laser Power | W | 2200 | ||||||
Feed Rate | mm/min | 6000 |
- CW-Continuous Wave
- SP-Super Pulse
- GP-Gated Pulse
Precautions:
For oxygen-assisted cutting, additional thickness and other material parameters are related to the PRC parameters.
At the highest cutting speed, the edge trimming quality and cutting gas pressure depend on the alloy composition of the material and the purity of the cutting gas.
After the oxygen cutting is completed, the oxygen must be purified; otherwise, the mixture of oxygen and nitrogen will cause the cutting edge to turn blue or brown.
When cutting material with thickness ≥4mm, the parameters for cutting small holes should be used when cutting φ1.5mm holes, with oxygen pressure at 4Bar (60Psi), or the starting cutting speed is 20~30% of the normal cutting speed.
Cutting small holes refers to holes with a diameter ≤5mm and a thickness ≤3mm, or a thickness >3mm and a hole diameter not larger than the thickness of the plate.
Cutting large holes refers to holes with a diameter >5mm and a thickness ≤3mm, or a thickness >3mm and a hole diameter larger than the thickness of the plate.
What is your assumed spot size?
You can check out the spot size formula here: https://www.machinemfg.com/laser-cutting-quality-control/#The_effect_of_the_beam_on_cutting_quality
am wondering about the kerf .. is the cut acceptable at the slower speeds/upper limits of the thickness for performance of each wattage?
You can read this post about laser cutting kerf: https://www.machinemfg.com/things-you-should-know-about-laser-cut-kerf/