Free Sheet Metal Cost Estimator
Get an instant laser cutting price estimate. Enter your part dimensions, material, and thickness — no file upload or signup required. Powered by our real production pricing engine.
How This Estimate Works
This calculator uses our actual production pricing engine — the same one that powers our instant quoting system. It estimates your part as a simple rectangle with holes.
- Cut length is estimated as the perimeter of your part plus ~30mm per hole (assuming ~10mm diameter holes).
- Cutting cost is calculated from real CypCut laser parameters — speed, pierce time, and gas type vary by material and thickness.
- Material cost uses current supplier pricing per kg, adjusted for thickness.
- Bending cost includes press brake setup time plus per-bend time at our labour rate.
- Handling covers sheet loading, part breakout, and post-processing.
For complex shapes, tight tolerances, or parts with features beyond simple holes and bends, upload your DXF or STEP file for a precise quote based on actual geometry.
Related Resources
- How Much Does Laser Cutting Cost in Australia? — full pricing breakdown with sample prices and cost-saving tips
- Mild Steel vs Stainless Steel for Laser Cutting — cost, edge quality, and corrosion resistance compared
- Material Weight Calculator — calculate weight and material cost for sheet, bar, and tube
Ready to Get an Exact Price?
This estimator gives a ballpark. Upload your DXF or STEP file for an exact instant quote — including bending, material, and nesting on real sheets.
Upload File for Instant QuoteFrequently Asked Questions
How much does laser cutting cost per metre?
Laser cutting cost per metre depends on material type, thickness, and cutting speed. For mild steel, prices typically range from $2.10–4.20/m for thin sheet (1-2mm) up to $15.75–31.50/m for thick plate (10-16mm). Stainless steel costs roughly 30-50% more than mild steel at the same thickness due to slower cutting speeds and higher gas consumption. Use the estimator above for a price based on your specific part.
What affects sheet metal pricing?
The main cost drivers are: (1) cutting time, determined by cut length, material type, and thickness; (2) material cost, based on how much sheet area your parts use; (3) piercing — each hole or internal cutout requires a pierce, which adds 0.2-25 seconds depending on thickness; (4) bending — each bend adds setup and cycle time; and (5) handling — loading sheets, unloading parts, deburring. Quantity also matters: setup costs are spread across more parts in larger orders.
Is this estimate accurate?
This estimator uses the same pricing engine as our instant quote system, based on real CypCut laser parameters and production data. It is accurate for rectangular parts with simple geometry. For complex shapes with many holes, curves, or internal features, uploading your actual DXF or STEP file will give a more precise price because the exact cut length and pierce count are calculated from the geometry.
What materials can you laser cut?
We laser cut mild steel (up to 20mm), stainless steel 304 and 316 (up to 16mm), aluminium 5052 and 6061 (up to 16mm), galvanised steel (up to 6mm), and Corten weathering steel (up to 16mm). Our 3kW fibre laser handles most commercial sheet metals. For materials not listed, contact us for a manual quote.
How do I get an exact price for my part?
Upload your DXF or STEP file to our instant quote page. The system analyses your geometry — exact cut length, number of holes, bends, and material usage — and returns a price in seconds. No signup required.