This study deals with some eco-indicators of cutting tools. Eco-indicators of cutting tools are classified into three categories, namely, material-, process-, and geometry-related eco-indicators. Material-related eco-indicators consist of density, price, embodied energy, CO2 footprint, NOX, SOX, water usage, material processing energy, and recycle fraction of tool materials. Process-related eco-indicators consist of material removal rate, cutting velocity, feed rate, spindle speed, and surface coating. Geometry-related eco-indictors consist of special geometric features of cutting tool that make the tool’s performance robust in terms of process-related eco-indicators. The general definitions and representations of these indicators are described. Giving examples of cutting tools made of tungsten carbide and HSS, it is shown that further research is needed to develop an ideal cutting tool that is equally preferable in terms of material-, process-, and geometry-related eco-indicators.© 2011 ASME