Indexable Milling Cutter Body Reference — Which Insert Fits?
Decode a cutter body designation such as BAP400R-50-22-4T or KM12-50-22-4T: what each part of the code means, what diameter and arbor bore it takes, and which insert class drops into the pocket.
1 Read your body codeType it as stamped, e.g. BAP400R-50-22-4T or BAP300R.
2 Get the insert class11 mm, 16 mm or 1204 square.
3 Match screw & wrenchCross-checked against our screw reference page.
How the code is built
A designation such as BAP400R-50-22-4T is read left to right. The series block decides the insert; the numbers after it describe the body.
The 400R block decoding as the APMT 16 series is taken from the cutter manufacturer designation breakdown. Body material is typically hardened forged alloy steel; insert screws are grade 12.9.
Full body reference table — every series covered (no search needed)
It does not tell you the pocket angle. A 90 degree shoulder body and a 45 degree face mill body can share a series name and take completely different inserts. KM12 is sold both ways. Match the cutter type, not just the series.
It does not tell you the insert tolerance class. APKT and APMT share a nominal size but sit in different tolerance classes. Do not swap one for the other on the strength of the size digits.
It does not tell you the seating depth. Two bodies with the same series and bore can differ in pocket depth. Test-fit the insert by hand before you torque anything.
Before you order inserts — 5-point self check
Write the full body designation off the body itself, not off an invoice or a website title.
Read the series block. 300R points to the 11 mm class, 400R to the 16 mm class.
Confirm the cutter type. Shoulder (90 degree) and face mill (45 degree) bodies in the same family take different inserts.
Match the insert class to the screw. 11 mm class uses M2.5 and T8; 16 mm class uses M4 and T15. If your old screw does not match, the class is wrong.
Measure the arbor bore before buying the arbor. 22 mm and 25.4 mm bodies are both sold under the same series name.