G00 and G01 are the two most common moves in any program, and they are the first pair beginners confuse. They differ by one digit and by a lot of speed.
G00: rapid positioning
G00 is a rapid traverse. It tells the machine to move to a coordinate as fast as it can. You use it for non-cutting moves: getting from a tool change position to the start of a cut, or pulling clear after one. Because it moves at the machine’s maximum rate, the tool should never be in the material during a G00 move.
G00 X0 Y0 (rapid to the start point, not cutting)G01: linear interpolation
G01 is linear interpolation: a straight-line move at a controlled feedrate. This is a cutting move. You pair it with an F value that sets how fast the tool feeds through the material.
G01 X50 F150 (feed in a straight line to X50 at 150 units/min)G00 vs G01 at a glance
| Aspect | G00 (rapid) | G01 (linear feed) |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Non-cutting positioning | Cutting in a straight line |
| Speed | Machine’s maximum rapid rate | Programmed F feedrate |
Needs an F value? | No | Yes |
| Path shape | Not guaranteed straight (can dogleg) | Straight line |
| Tool in the material? | Never | Yes |
Why beginners mix them up
The codes differ by a single character, and both produce motion, so on the page they feel interchangeable. They are not. Using G00 when you meant G01 sends the tool toward your part at rapid speed instead of a safe feed. That is why this pair is worth drilling until the difference is automatic, not just understood.
A simple memory hook: G00 has the extra zero, and zero cutting happens. G01 is the one that does work.
Keep them straight
The fastest way to stop confusing G00 and G01 is to practice them as a pair, back to back, until the right answer is instant. That is the idea behind the common-mixups approach to beginner CNC code practice. Once this pair is solid, the next one to drill is G02 vs G03, the arc directions. Both belong on any list of the common G-codes for CNC beginners.
Bottom line
G00 positions fast and does not cut. G01 feeds in a straight line at your F rate and does cut. Mixing them up is the classic beginner error, so drill the pair directly.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
Does G00 move in a straight line?
Not always. G00 gets each axis to the target as fast as possible, so on some controls the path can be a dogleg rather than a straight diagonal. Never assume the rapid path is a straight line when planning clearance.
Does G00 use the F feedrate?
No. G00 moves at the machine’s rapid traverse rate, not the programmed F value. The F value applies to feed moves like G01, G02, and G03.
What is the easiest way to stop confusing G00 and G01?
Drill the pair with active recall instead of re-reading a chart. A free tool like G-Code Sprint shows G00 and G01 as side-by-side timed questions and repeats whichever one you keep missing, so the difference becomes automatic.
G-Code Sprint is a study and practice tool only. Always follow your instructor, employer, machine manual, and shop safety procedures.