Milling Cutter Types: Main Cutter Families and Differences

Milling cutter types differ in cutting geometry, tool form, mounting method, 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-slots, 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, coating, 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:

These are top-level cutter families. Each family can contain additional subtypes, sizes, geometries, and constructions.

For the basic definition and working principle of a milling cutter, see our What Is a Milling Cutter? guide.

Milling Cutter Types by Tool Family

End Mills

End mills are one of the broadest and most common milling cutter families. In most cases, 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:

• Flat End Mill — has a flat cutting end and is commonly used where a flat-bottom feature is required.
• Ball Nose End Mill — has a rounded cutting end for curved surfaces and 3D contours.
• Bull Nose / Corner Radius End Mill — combines a flat end with a corner radius.
• Roughing End Mill — uses a roughing-style cutting edge designed for efficient stock removal.

These are all subtypes within the broader end mill family rather than separate top-level milling cutter categories.

For detailed product information, see our end mill cutter page.

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. Instead, the key factor is the cutter geometry and cutting-edge arrangement used primarily for surface machining.

Side Milling Cutters

Side milling cutters typically use a disc-shaped cutter body with cutting edges around the circumference and along the sides.

As a result, this construction allows the cutter to machine side features, grooves, and narrow surfaces that may require a different access direction from a conventional end mill.

T-Slot Cutters

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.

Milling Cutter Types by Tool Structure

Milling cutters can also be classified by how the cutter body and cutting edges are constructed.

This is a separate classification from cutter family. For example, a face milling cutter may use an indexable construction, while an end mill may use a solid construction.

Solid Milling Cutters

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.

Indexable Milling Cutters

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.

Brazed Milling Cutters

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

In general, four main factors distinguish different milling cutter types.

Cutting Geometry

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, chamfer, 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.
Therefore, this difference helps explain why a face mill, side cutter, and end mill are separate cutter families even though all perform milling operations.

Tool Structure

A cutter may use a solid, indexable, 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?

For example:

• General slot, pocket, 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. Meanwhile, we cover related topics separately so each URL can answer a clear search intent.

To understand the basic definition and working principle, read What Is a Milling Cutter?

If you want application-focused information, see What Are Milling Cutters Used For?

For a broader explanation of cutting tools used on milling machines and machining centers, see Milling Machine Tools.

FAQ About Milling Cutter Types

What Are the Main Types of Milling Cutters?

Common milling cutter families include end mills, face milling cutters, side milling cutters, T-slot cutters, thread milling cutters, and chamfer milling cutters.

In addition, 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 tool structure, such as solid, indexable, or brazed cutters.

Is an End Mill a Type of Milling Cutter?

Yes. An end mill is one of the main milling cutter families.

Flat end mills, ball nose end mills, 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?

Yes. 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, pockets, profiles, and other general milling features.

Are Drills, Reamers, and Boring Tools Types of Milling Cutters?

No. Drills, reamers, 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, see our Milling Machine Tools guide.

Conclusion

Milling cutter types become easier to understand when you separate them into tool families and tool structures.

End mills, face milling cutters, side milling cutters, T-slot cutters, thread milling cutters, and chamfer milling cutters represent common cutter families, while solid, indexable, 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, browse our CNC milling cutters.