How much does laser cutting cost?
Short answer: laser cutting is sold by machine time, not by the part. A small wood or acrylic part is often €1–€5; a sheet of metal can be €20–€150. The number depends on one thing more than any other: how long your file keeps the laser running.
Get an exact price for your file →The formula every laser shop uses
Almost every quote comes down to the same four parts:
Cut length ÷ cutting speed × passes = machine time. Then machine time × hourly rate + material + setup.
- Machine time — the meter that matters. A longer, more detailed path costs more even in the same material.
- Hourly rate — typically €40–€120/h for a workshop CO2 or fiber machine, covering the machine, power, extraction, consumables and an operator.
- Material — your sheet of plywood, acrylic or steel, at cost or with a markup.
- Setup / minimum — most shops have a minimum order (often €10–€30) so a 20-second job is still worth running.
Rough per-part costs
A 100 × 60 mm part (about 320 mm of cutting) at a €60/h rate, machine time only:
| Material | Machine | Time | Cut cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plywood 3 mm | CO2 60–80 W | ~25 s | ~€0.40 |
| Acrylic 3 mm | CO2 60–80 W | ~30 s | ~€0.50 |
| Plywood 3 mm | Diode 10 W | ~1 m 20 s | ~€1.33 |
| Steel 2 mm | Fiber 1 kW | ~15 s | ~€0.30 + gas |
These are cut cost only. Add material and the shop minimum and a single small part usually lands at the minimum order price. The savings show up at quantity, where the setup cost spreads across many parts.
What makes a quote go up
- Thicker material — slower cutting or multiple passes, sometimes 3–4× the time.
- Fine detail and many small holes — more path length and more pierce points.
- Engraving on top of cutting — area fill is far slower than an outline cut.
- Hard materials — stainless and thick acrylic run slower than plywood.
Get your own number in seconds
Because it all comes back to path length and speed, you don't have to guess. Drop your SVG, DXF or PDF into our calculator, pick the material and machine, and it returns the machine time and price. It runs in your browser — your file is never uploaded.
Open the laser cost calculator →FAQ
How is laser cutting priced — per hour or per part?
Almost always per hour of machine time, then converted to a per-part price. Cut length divided by cutting speed gives the time, then time times the hourly rate plus material and setup. Most shops also set a minimum order so very small jobs are still worth running.
What is a typical laser cutting hourly rate?
For a workshop CO2 or fiber laser, roughly €40–€120 per hour depending on machine power, location and whether an operator is included. Large industrial fiber lasers can be higher because they cut thick metal fast.
Why is my small part still expensive?
Because of the shop minimum. A part that only needs 20 seconds of cutting still triggers setup, loading and handling, so it's charged at the minimum order price. Ordering more parts at once lowers the price each.
Can I estimate the cost myself before asking a shop?
Yes. Upload your SVG, DXF or PDF to the free calculator on this site, choose the material and machine, and it gives you the machine time and price so you can sanity-check any quote.