Milling cutter types differ in cutting geometry, tool form, Montagemethode, and the type of feature each cutter can machine. Some cutters are intended for general milling, while others are shaped for flat surfaces, side features, T-Nuten, Threads, or chamfers.
A practical way to understand milling cutter classification is to separate it into two levels: tool family and tool structure. Tool family describes the cutter form and basic machining role, while tool structure describes how the cutting edges and cutter body are constructed.
This guide focuses on those two classification methods so you can understand the main differences without turning the page into a complete material, Beschichtung, or cutting-parameter selection guide.
What Are the Main Types of Milling Cutters?
You can group the main types of milling cutters by cutter form and by the type of feature each cutter can machine.
Common cutter families include:
| Milling Cutter Family | Basic Difference | Typical Role |
|---|---|---|
| Schaftfräser | Cutting edges along the tool body and, depending on geometry, at the end | General milling, Slots, Taschen, und Profile |
| Planfräser | Wider cutter body with cutting edges arranged for face cutting | Planflächenbearbeitung |
| Seitlicher Fräser | Disc-style cutter with cutting edges around the periphery and sides | Side features and grooves |
| T-Nutenfräser | Narrow neck with a wider cutting head | T-slots and undercut features |
| Gewindefräser | Thread-form cutting geometry used with a programmed toolpath | Internal or external thread features |
| Fasenfräser | Angled cutting geometry | Chamfers, edge breaks, and angled features |

These are top-level cutter families. Each family can contain additional subtypes, Größen, Geometrien, and constructions.
For the basic definition and working principle of a milling cutter, siehe unsere Was ist ein Fräser?? Führung.
Milling Cutter Types by Tool Family
Schaftfräser
End mills are one of the broadest and most common milling cutter families. In den meisten Fällen, they have cutting edges along the outside of the tool, and many designs can also cut with the end.
Because end mills cover many machining situations, they also have several common subtypes:
- Flacher Schaftfräser — has a flat cutting end and is commonly used where a flat-bottom feature is required.
- Kugelfräser — has a rounded cutting end for curved surfaces and 3D contours.
- Bullennase / Eckenradius-Schaftfräser — combines a flat end with a corner radius.
- Schruppfräser — uses a roughing-style cutting edge designed for efficient stock removal.
These are all subtypes within the broader Schaftfräser family rather than separate top-level milling cutter categories.
For detailed product information, siehe unsere Schaftfräser Seite.
Face Milling Cutters
Face milling cutters are designed mainly for machining flat surfaces. Their cutter bodies are generally wider than an end mill, allowing multiple cutting edges to engage a larger surface area during face milling.
The defining difference is not simply cutter diameter. Stattdessen, the key factor is the cutter geometry and cutting-edge arrangement used primarily for surface machining.
Scheibenfräser
Side milling cutters typically use a disc-shaped cutter body with cutting edges around the circumference and along the sides.
Infolge, this construction allows the cutter to machine side features, Rillen, and narrow surfaces that may require a different access direction from a conventional end mill.
T-Nutenfräser
T-slot cutters have a narrower neck and a wider cutting head. This shape allows the cutter to reach beneath the upper portion of a previously opened slot and machine the wider undercut section.
Their geometry makes them a distinct milling cutter family rather than simply another standard end mill shape.
Thread Milling Cutters
Thread milling cutters use thread-form cutting geometry together with controlled CNC movement to generate thread features.
Unlike a conventional tap, the cutter follows a programmed path to create the thread. The defining feature of this family is the thread-form cutting profile and the way the toolpath generates the final thread.
Chamfer Milling Cutters
Chamfer milling cutters use angled cutting geometry to machine chamfers, edge breaks, and other angled features.
The included angle and cutter geometry vary by design, but the defining characteristic is the angled cutting form rather than a flat or radiused cutting end.
Fräsertypen nach Werkzeugstruktur
Milling cutters can also be classified by how the cutter body and cutting edges are constructed.
This is a separate classification from cutter family. Zum Beispiel, a face milling cutter may use an indexable construction, while an end mill may use a solid construction.

Vollfräser
A solid milling cutter has an integral cutting section rather than replaceable cutting inserts.
Solid cutters may be manufactured from materials such as high-speed steel or solid carbide, depending on the tool design.
The key structural difference is that the cutting edges form part of the tool itself. When the cutting section reaches the end of its usable life, manufacturers or users normally replace the tool or, where appropriate, recondition it instead of installing a new insert.
Wendeschneidplattenfräser
Indexable milling cutters use a reusable cutter body that holds replaceable cutting inserts.
When a cutting edge wears, the insert can be indexed to another usable edge or replaced without replacing the complete cutter body.
This construction is common in cutter families where a larger cutter body carries multiple replaceable cutting edges.
Gelötete Fräser
Brazed milling cutters use cutting tips that manufacturers permanently braze onto a cutter body.
Unlike indexable tools, the cutting tips are not designed for routine insert replacement. The cutting section and cutter body work as one assembled tool during machining.
This gives brazed cutters a different construction from both solid and indexable milling cutters.
How Milling Cutter Types Differ
Im Allgemeinen, four main factors distinguish different milling cutter types.
Schnittgeometrie
The shape of the cutting end and cutting edges determines which features the cutter can machine, such as a flat surface, Radius, side feature, thread form, Fase, or undercut.
Cutter Access
Some features can be reached directly with an end mill, while others require a cutter shape that can reach behind or beside the feature.
A T-slot cutter is a clear example because the wider cutting head must reach the undercut area below the slot opening.
Cutting Direction and Tool Form
Some cutters mainly remove material with peripheral cutting edges, while others are designed primarily for face cutting or a specific form.
daher, this difference helps explain why a face mill, Seitenschneider, and end mill are separate cutter families even though all perform milling operations.
Werkzeugstruktur
A cutter may use a solid, indexierbar, or brazed construction.
This structural classification is independent of the cutter family itself and describes how the cutting edges are integrated with the cutter body.
How to Identify the Right Cutter Family
Before reviewing detailed specifications, first identify the feature that must be machined.
A simple first-stage check is:
1. What Feature Is Required?
Zum Beispiel:
- General slot, Tasche, or profile → End Mill
- Large flat surface → Face Milling Cutter
- Side feature or groove → Side Milling Cutter
- T-shaped undercut → T-Slot Cutter
- Thread feature → Thread Milling Cutter
- Chamfer or angled edge → Chamfer Milling Cutter
This is only a family-level starting point, not a complete tool-selection rule.
2. How Can the Cutter Access the Feature?
The geometry of the part may limit the direction from which the cutter can enter.
Check whether the feature requires:
- End access;
- Side access;
- Undercut access;
- Angled cutting access.
3. What Cutting Geometry Does the Feature Require?
A flat bottom, Radius, angled edge, thread form, or undercut usually points toward a different cutter family or subtype.
4. What Machine and Mounting Setup Is Available?
The cutter family must also be compatible with the machine configuration and mounting method available for the operation.
After the correct family is identified, detailed dimensions and tool specifications can be reviewed separately.
Related Milling Guides
This page focuses on milling cutter classification. In der Zwischenzeit, we cover related topics separately so each URL can answer a clear search intent.
To understand the basic definition and working principle, lesen Was ist ein Fräser??
If you want application-focused information, sehen Wofür werden Fräser verwendet??
For a broader explanation of cutting tools used on milling machines and machining centers, sehen Fräsmaschinen.
FAQ zu Fräsertypen
What Are the Main Types of Milling Cutters?
Common milling cutter families include end mills, Planfräser, Scheibenfräser, T-Nutenfräser, Gewindefräser, and chamfer milling cutters.
Zusätzlich, each of these families can contain subtypes based on cutting geometry and construction.
How Are Milling Cutters Classified?
You can classify milling cutters in several ways. Two useful methods are classification by tool family, such as end mills or face milling cutters, and classification by Werkzeugstruktur, wie solide, indexierbar, or brazed cutters.
Is an End Mill a Type of Milling Cutter?
Ja. An end mill is one of the main milling cutter families.
Flache Schaftfräser, Kugelkopffräser, corner-radius or bull nose end mills, and roughing end mills are examples of subtypes within the broader end mill family.
Is a Face Milling Cutter Different from an End Mill?
Ja. A face milling cutter is designed primarily for machining broad flat surfaces, while an end mill is a more compact cutter family commonly used for slots, Taschen, Profile, and other general milling features.
Are Drills, Reibahlen, and Boring Tools Types of Milling Cutters?
NEIN. Bohrer, Reibahlen, and boring tools are different cutting-tool families.
Suitable milling machines or CNC machining centers may use these tools, but that does not make them milling cutter types.
For a broader overview of cutting tools used on milling machines, siehe unsere Fräsmaschinen Führung.
Abschluss
Milling cutter types become easier to understand when you separate them into tool families and tool structures.
Schaftfräser, Planfräser, Scheibenfräser, T-Nutenfräser, Gewindefräser, and chamfer milling cutters represent common cutter families, while solid, indexierbar, and brazed designs describe how the cutter itself is constructed.
The most useful first step is to identify the cutter family that matches the required feature before moving on to detailed specifications.
For production tooling and a broader range of cutter options, Stöbern Sie in unserem CNC-Fräser.
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