CNC Machining

Tolerance

CNC machining tolerance refers to the degree of deviation permitted in the

dimensions of a machined part. It's essentially a measure of precision that

indicates how closely the machined part will match the dimensions specified in

the design.
 02

Table of Contents

General Tolerances for Linear and Angular Dimensions 03

General Tolerances for Form and Position 07

Description of Shape Tolerance Types and Examples 12

Positional Tolerance Example Explanation 15

RapidDirect CNC Machining Tolerance Standards 18

CNC Machining Tolerance

 03

Chapter 01

General Tolerances
for Linear and
Angular Dimensions

CNC Machining Tolerance

 04

Linear Dimensions
In CNC machining, linear dimensions refer to the measurable distances between two points or surfaces on
a part. They are measured in millimeters or thousandths of an inch and are vital for part accuracy and
functionality. They indicate allowable measurement deviations, balancing precision with manufacturing
complexity and cost.

Table 1: General Tolerance for Linear Dimensions (in mm)

Nominal Feature Length (mm)

Tolerance Class Permissible Dimensional Deviation in mm

Designation
(Description) 0.5~3 >3~6 >6~30 >30~120 >120~400 >400~1000 >1000~3000 >200~
4000
Precision (f) ±0.05 ±0.05 ±0.1 ±0.15 ±0.2 ±0.3 ±0.5 /
Medium (m) ±0.1 ±0.1 ±0.2 ±0.3 ±0.5 ±0.8 ±1.2 ±2
Coarse (c) ±0.2 ±0.3 ±0.5 ±0.3 ±1.2 ±3 ±3 ±4
Very Coarse (v) / ±0.5 ±1 ±1.5 ±2.5 ±6 ±6 ±8

CNC Machining Tolerance

 05

Fillet Radius and Chamfer Height Dimensions

Fillet Radius and Chamfer Height tolerances in CNC machining dictate the precision of rounded edges and
angled transitions. Adhering to these tolerances is crucial for maintaining part strength, ensuring proper fit
in assemblies, and achieving desired aesthetics, especially in components with intricate design features.

Table 2: General Tolerance for Fillet Radius and Chamfer Height Dimensions

Nominal Feature Length (mm)

Tolerance Class Permissible Dimensional Deviation in mm

Designation
(Description) 0.5~3 >3~6 >6~30 >30

Precision (f) ±0.05 ±0.05 ±0.1 ±0.15

Medium (m) ±0.1 ±0.1 ±0.2 ±0.3

Coarse (c) ±0.2 ±0.3 ±0.5 ±0.3

Very Coarse (v) / ±0.5 ±1 ±1.5

CNC Machining Tolerance

 06

Angular Dimensions
Angular dimension tolerance in CNC machining refers to the permissible deviation in angles between
specified surfaces or features. It is crucial for ensuring the correct assembly and functionality of
components, especially in complex designs where precise angular relationships are essential for structural
integrity and performance.

Table 3: General Tolerance for Angular Dimensions

Nominal Feature Length (mm)

Tolerance Class Permissible Deviations in Degrees and Minutes

Designation
(Description) ~10 >10~50 >50~120 >120~400 >400

Precision (f)
±1° ±30' ±30' ±10' ±5'
Medium (m)
Coarse (c) ±1°30' ±1° ±20' ±15' ±10'

Very Coarse (v) ±3° ±2° ±1 ±30' ±20'

CNC Machining Tolerance

 07

Chapter 02

General Tolerances
for Form and
Position

CNC Machining Tolerance

 08

Straightness and Flatness

Straightness and Flatness tolerances in CNC machining dictate the allowable deviations in a part's linear
and surface evenness. Emphasizing these tolerances is crucial for guaranteeing precise component
alignment and uniform contact surfaces, which are essential for mechanical functionality and the integrity
of assembly operations.

Table 1: General Tolerance for Straightness and Flatness

Ranges of nominal lengths in mm

Tolerance Class
Designation
(Description) ~10 >10~30 >30~100 >100-300 >300-1000 >1000~3000

H 0.02 0.05 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4

K 0.05 0.1 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8

L 0.1 0.2 0.4 0.8 1.2 1.6

CNC Machining Tolerance

 09

Perpendicularity
Perpendicularity tolerance in CNC machining specifies the acceptable deviation for a part's angle relative
to a 90-degree reference. This tolerance is critical for ensuring components assemble correctly and
function as intended, particularly in designs where right angle precision impacts overall mechanical
performance and structural stability.

Table 2: General Tolerance for Perpendicularity

Ranges in Nominal Lengths in mm

Tolerance Class
Designation
(Description) ~100 >100-300 >300-1000 >1000~3000

H 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5

K 0.4 0.6 0.8 1

L 0.5 1 1.5 2

CNC Machining Tolerance

 09

Symmetry

Symmetry tolerance in CNC machining defines the permissible deviation from a perfect mirror image
across a specified axis. This tolerance is crucial for parts where balanced distribution of mass and
uniformity of features are essential, ensuring optimal performance, aesthetic appeal, and consistent
functionality in the final assembly.

Table 3: General Tolerance for Symmetry

Ranges in Nominal Lengths in mm

Tolerance Class
Designation
(Description) ~100 >100-300 >300-1000 >1000~3000

H 0.5

K 0.6 0.8 1

L 0.5 1 1.5 2

CNC Machining Tolerance

 11

Runout

Runout tolerance in CNC machining specifies the allowable deviation from a true concentric rotation of a
part around its axis. Maintaining tight runout tolerances is essential for parts that rotate or interact with
moving components, ensuring smooth operation, minimal vibration, and prolonged equipment life.

Table 4: General Tolerance for Runout

Tolerance Class Designation (Description) Ranges in Nominal Lengths in mm

H 0.1

K 0.2

L 0.5

CNC Machining Tolerance

 12

Chapter 03

Description of
Shape Tolerance
Types and Examples

CNC Machining Tolerance

 13

Item Tolerance band definition Example Explanation

Any generatrix on the

cylindrical surface must lie
within an axial plane,
The tolerance band is the area between two parallel lines
Within a given at a distance of 0.02.
between two parallel lines at a
plane
distance of tolerance value t.

The edge line must be

within two parallel planes
in the direction indicated
by the arrow, at a distance
When a direction is given, the
of a tolerance value of
tolerance band is the area
0.02.
between two parallel planes at
a distance of tolerance value t

Straightness

The edge line must be

within a quadrangular
prism with a horizontal
When two mutually distance tolerance value
perpendicular directions are of 0.02 and a vertical
Within a given given, the tolerance band is the distance of 0.01.
direction area within a quadrangular
prism with a side length of t1+2.

The axis of the cylinder

must be within a
cylindrical surface with
a diameter tolerance
In any direction, the tolerance
value of 0.02.
band is the area of a
cylindrical surface with a
diameter of tolerance value t.

CNC Machining Tolerance

 14

The tolerance band for flatness The top surface must be

is the area between two within two parallel planes at
Flatness
parallel planes at a distance of a distance of a tolerance
tolerance value t. value of 0.1.

The tolerance band for

The edge line must be within
roundness is the area between
two parallel planes in the
two concentric circles on the
Roundness direction indicated by the
same cross-section with a
arrow, at a distance of a
radius difference of tolerance
tolerance value of 0.02.
value t.

The tolerance band for

The edge line must be within
roundness is the area between
two parallel planes in the
two concentric circles on the
Cylindricity direction indicated by the
same cross-section with a
arrow, at a distance of a
radius difference of tolerance
tolerance value of 0.02.
value t.

On any cross-section
parallel to the standard
The tolerance band for line
projection plane, the actual
profile is the area between two
profile must be within the
envelope lines that envelop a
two envelope lines that
Line Profile series of circles with a diameter
envelop a series of circles
of tolerance value t, where the
with a diameter tolerance
center of these circles should
value of 0.02, and the
lie on the ideal profile.
centers of these circles lie on
the ideal profile line.

The actual profile surface

The tolerance band for surface
must lie between the two
profile is the region between
envelope surfaces of a
two envelope surfaces that
series of spheres, where the
envelop a series of spheres
Surface Profile diameter of these spheres is
with a diameter of tolerance
a tolerance value of 0.02,
value t, where the centers of
and the centers of these
these spheres should lie on the
spheres are on the ideal
ideal profile.
profile surface."

CNC Machining Tolerance

 15

Chapter 04

Positional
Tolerance Example
Explanation

CNC Machining Tolerance

 16

Item Tolerance band definition Example Explanation

Any generatrix on the

When given in one direction, cylindrical surface must
the tolerance band is the lie within an axial plane,
region between two parallel between two parallel
planes that are a distance of lines at a distance of
tolerance value 't' apart and 0.02.
parallel to a reference plane.

The axis must lie within a

Orientation When given in two mutually prism defined by cross-
Positional perpendicular directions, the sectional dimensions
Tolerance tolerance zone is the region with tolerance values of
Parallelism 0.01 and 0.02 and must
inside a prism with cross-
sectional dimensions of be parallel to the
tolerance values 't1' and 't2', and reference axis C.

is parallel to the reference axis (Basic Axis)

In any given direction, the (Basic Axis)

tolerance zone is the region
inside a cylindrical surface with
a diameter of tolerance value
't' and parallel to the reference
axis.

The right side surface

must be positioned
The tolerance zone is the between two parallel
region between two parallel planes that are 0.02 apart
planes (or lines) at a distance in terms of tolerance and
of tolerance value 't' and perpendicular to the
Directional perpendicular to the datum datum plane A.
Positional plane (or line or axis).
Tolerance
Perpendicularity
The axis must lie
within a cylindrical
The tolerance zone is within a surface with a
cylindrical surface with a diameter tolerance
diameter of tolerance value 't' of 0.02 and be
and perpendicular to the perpendicular to the
datum plane. datum plane A.

The tolerance zone is the

region between two parallel
planes at a distance of
Inclination
tolerance value 't' and at a
theoretically correct angle to
the reference axis.

CNC Machining Tolerance

 17

Item Tolerance band definition Example Explanation

The axis must be located

within a cylindrical surface
with a diameter tolerance of
The tolerance zone is within a 0.01, and be coaxial with the
cylindrical region with a datum axis.

Coaxiality diameter of tolerance value 't', （Datum Axis）

and is coaxial with the datum
axis.

Positional The center plane of the

Tolerance groove must be positioned
between two parallel planes
that are 0.02 apart in terms
The tolerance zone is between
of tolerance, and
two parallel planes spaced by
symmetrically arranged
a tolerance value 't', and is
Symmetry relative to the datum
symmetrically arranged
median plane.

relative to the datum median

（Datum Median Plane）
plane.

The axis must be located

within a cylindrical
surface with a diameter
tolerance of 0.2, and
The positional tolerance for a
centered on the ideal
line is within a cylindrical
position determined by
Position region with a diameter of
the datums A and B.
tolerance value 't', centered on
the ideal position of the line.

CNC Machining Tolerance

 18

Chapter 05

RapidDirect CNC
Machining Tolerance
Standards

CNC Machining Tolerance

 19

tolerance standard
RapidDirect sets default tolerances for
manufacturing processes to ensure precision and
quality. For linear and angular dimensions, the
standard tolerance level is 'm' for metal materials
and 'c' for plastics, unless customers specify
otherwise.

When it comes to form and position

tolerances, RapidDirect adheres to a 'K' level by
default, in the absence of specific customer
requirements.

Leveraging our advanced CNC machining

capabilities, RapidDirect can accommodate
both standard and tighter tolerances.
Customers are encouraged to clearly indicate
any special tolerance requirements on their
technical drawings.

CNC Machining Tolerance

Quality parts made

easier, faster
+86-0755-85276703

[email protected]

www.rapiddirect.com

Building A12, Haosi Industrial Park

Nanpu Road, Xinqiao Street, Bao'an District

Shenzhen, China, 518104