The most common cutting tool materials are divided into the following main groups:

 - Uncoated cemented carbide (HW)

 - Coated cemented carbides (HC)

 - Cermets (HT, HC)
          HT Uncoated cermet containing primarily titanium carbides (TiC) or titanium nitrides (TiN) or both.
          HC Cermet as above, but coated.

 - Ceramics (CA, CM, CN, CC)
          CA Oxide ceramics containing primarily aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃).
          CM Mixed ceramics containing primarily aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃) but containing components other than oxides.

          CN Nitride ceramics containing primarily silicon nitride (Si₃N₄).
          CC Ceramics as above, but coated.
 - Cubic boron nitrides (BN)

 - Polycrystalline diamonds (DP, HC)

          DP Polycrystalline diamonds.

          HC Polycrystalline diamonds, but coated.