In machining, a tipped tool is any cutting tool in which the cutting edge consists of a separate piece of material that is brazed, welded or fastened onto a body made of another material. In the latter case, the cutters are called inserts, because they are inserted into the tool body. Tipped tools allow each part of the tool, the shank and the cutter, to be made of the material with the best properties for its job. Common materials for cutters include cemented carbide, polycrystalline diamond, and cubic boron nitride. Tools that are commonly tipped include router bits, end mills and face mills.

The advantage of tipped tools is that only a small amount of material is needed to make the cutter. As a result, manufacturing the insert is easier than making the entire tool out of the cutting material. This also reduces cost, because the tool holder can be made of a less-expensive and tougher material. In fact, a tipped tool is often better than a homogeneous tool because it combines the toughness of the tool holder with the hardness of the insert.