Laser power & speed settings chart
Every "settings chart" online is a starting point, not gospel — your machine, lens, focus and material batch all shift the numbers. Use the tables below to get close, then run the test grid at the bottom to lock in your settings.
Price a job at your settings →Diode laser cheat sheet
Power % / speed (mm/min) / passes. Assumes air assist and correct focus.
| Material | Job | 5–10 W | 20 W | 40 W |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plywood 3 mm | Cut | 100 / 180 / 3–4 | 100 / 300 / 2 | 100 / 600 / 1–2 |
| MDF 3 mm | Cut | 100 / 200 / 3 | 100 / 350 / 2 | 100 / 700 / 1 |
| Leather 2 mm | Cut | 90 / 250 / 1–2 | 85 / 500 / 1 | 80 / 900 / 1 |
| Wood | Engrave | 30 / 3000 | 25 / 5000 | 20 / 8000 |
| Slate / stone | Engrave | 80 / 2500 | 70 / 4000 | 60 / 6000 |
CO2 laser cheat sheet
Power % / speed (mm/s) / passes.
| Material | Job | 40–60 W | 80–100 W |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plywood 3 mm | Cut | 70 / 12 / 1 | 55 / 20 / 1 |
| Acrylic 3 mm | Cut | 70 / 10 / 1 | 55 / 18 / 1 |
| Acrylic 5 mm | Cut | 85 / 6 / 1 | 65 / 11 / 1 |
| Leather 2 mm | Cut | 40 / 20 / 1 | 30 / 35 / 1 |
| Wood | Engrave | 25 / 250 | 18 / 400 |
| Acrylic | Engrave | 25 / 250 | 20 / 300 |
| Glass | Engrave | 30 / 200 | 20 / 300 |
The 85% rule: avoid running a CO2 tube or diode at 100% continuously — it shortens the life of the tube/diode. If a cut needs 100% to get through, slow the speed or add a pass instead.
The method that beats every chart: a test grid
Charts get you in the ballpark; a test grid gets you exact. In LightBurn (Tools → Material Test) or a LaserGRBL template, cut/engrave a matrix of squares that sweeps power on one axis and speed on the other. Then:
- For cutting: pick the fastest square that cleanly falls through the sheet.
- For engraving: pick the square with the contrast/depth you want.
- Write the winning numbers on the offcut and save a library entry. Do this once per material + thickness.
Turn settings into a price
Speed is half of what a job costs — the other half is path length. Drop your file in, pick material and machine, and the calculator does time × rate for you.
Open the calculator →FAQ
Are laser settings charts accurate?
Treat any chart as a starting point, not an exact answer. Your machine's real power, lens, focus and even the batch of material shift the numbers. Use a chart to get close, then run a material test grid to find your exact settings.
What is a material test grid?
A grid of small squares cut or engraved at different power and speed combinations, built into LightBurn (Material Test) and available as LaserGRBL templates. You pick the best square — the fastest clean cut or the nicest engrave — and use those settings.
Should I run my laser at 100% power?
Avoid running at 100% continuously. It shortens the life of a CO2 tube or a diode. If a cut needs full power to get through, slow the speed or add a pass instead of holding 100%.
Do diode and CO2 lasers use the same settings?
No. Diode settings are usually given in mm/min and often need multiple passes; CO2 is faster, usually mm/s and single-pass. They also suit different materials — CO2 for clear acrylic and glass, diode for hobby wood and leather work.