Free CNC plasma settings tool

CNC Plasma Cutting Calculator

Calculate practical starting settings for mild steel, stainless steel, and aluminum. Compare cutting speed, amperage, air pressure, pierce delay, cut voltage, and material thickness in metric or imperial units.

Calculate Plasma Settings View Settings Chart Troubleshoot a Cut

CNC plasma torch cutting metal with a bright blue plasma arc — Cut speed • amperage • air pressure • pierce delay

Starting recommendations—not guaranteed machine settings.

Confirm all amperage, consumable, pressure, airflow, pierce, and duty-cycle limits in the documentation supplied with your plasma cutter. Test settings on scrap material before cutting a finished part.

Technical calculator

CNC plasma cutting calculator

Calculate Starting Plasma Cutting Settings

Select the material, thickness, machine capacity, cut priority, and available machine profile. Unsupported combinations are blocked rather than filled with unreliable estimates.

Material

Material thickness

6.00 mm / 0.236 in

Machine maximum amperage

A max

This is the machine capacity limit—not necessarily the recommended cutting current.

Cut priority

Quality Best edge and accuracy Balanced Quality and productivity Speed Higher production rate

Plasma cutter profile

Compressed-air process, manual pressure control.

Calculated results

Recommended Starting Settings

Awaiting input

Enter your material and machine information, then select Calculate Plasma Settings.

Important

These values are starting recommendations. Actual plasma cutting settings vary with the power source, torch, consumables, air quality, table motion, material composition, electrical input, and consumable wear. Verify every result with the manufacturer’s manual and controlled test cuts.

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Calculator instructions

How to Use the CNC Plasma Cutting Calculator

Select the material

Choose mild steel, stainless steel, or aluminum. Different materials require different cutting speeds and starting settings.

Enter material thickness

Enter the plate or sheet thickness in millimetres or inches. The calculator displays the converted value for comparison.

Enter machine capacity

Enter the maximum amperage supported by the plasma cutter. This prevents recommendations beyond the stated machine capacity.

Choose a cut priority

Quality favors a more conservative edge-focused result, Balanced combines quality and productivity, and Speed favors a higher production rate.

Test and document results

Calculate the settings, make a controlled test cut, and adjust one variable at a time. Print or download the cut card to record proven machine-specific values.

Calculator output

What the Plasma Calculator Provides

Plasma cutting speed

The calculated starting feed rate is displayed in millimetres per minute and inches per minute.

Starting cutting amperage

The suggested cutting current is limited by the selected profile, material thickness, consumable data, and machine capacity.

Air pressure and pierce delay

The results include starting air-pressure and pierce-delay values where supported by the selected machine profile.

Starting cut voltage

A starting voltage may be shown for torch-height-control setup. Confirm the actual cutting height using a test coupon before relying on voltage alone.

Continue refining your plasma cutting settings.

Compare thickness-based starting values in the Plasma Cutter Settings Chart .

Diagnose dross, bevel, rough edges, poor penetration, and arc problems with the Plasma Cut Quality Troubleshooter .

Learn how to test and record repeatable values in the Machine-Specific Plasma Cut Chart Guide .