You are ordering stainless steel coils. The specification says “slit edge” or “mill edge.” You are not sure what that means for your product.

Mill edge is the original as-rolled edge from the steel mill. Slit edge is created when a wide master coil is cut into narrower strips. Mill edge has a slightly rounded profile and wider width tolerance. Slit edge is sharper, squarer, and has tighter width tolerance. Choose mill edge for general applications where edge quality is not critical. Choose slit edge when you need precise width and clean edges. Slit edge vs mill edge explanation Mill edge vs slit edge technical guide

I have supplied both mill edge and slit edge coils. A customer making tubes needed precise slit edge. Another using full width coils accepted mill edge. Let me walk you through the differences. What is stainless steel slit coil?

What is the difference between mill edge and slit edge?

Mill edge is the original as-rolled edge from the steel mill. It has a slightly rounded or irregular profile with possible light burrs. Slit edge is created by cutting a wider master coil into narrower strips using rotary slitter blades, resulting in a sharper, squarer edge. Mill edge vs slit edge guide

Mill edge coils have width tolerances of ±5-10mm and are less expensive. Slit edge coils have tighter width tolerances of ±0.5-1.5mm but cost more due to the slitting charge. Choose mill edge for full-width applications. Choose slit edge for narrow strips requiring precise width. Slit edge vs mill edge technical comparison

Edge Type Comparison

Let me compare mill edge and slit edge in detail.

Mill Edge

Property	Value
Origin	As-rolled from mill
Edge profile	Rounded, irregular
Squareness	Not perfectly square
Width tolerance	±5-10mm
Burrs	May have light burrs
Cost	Lower (no slitting charge)
Best for	Full-width use, non-critical edges

Slit Edge

Property	Value
Origin	Cut from wider coil
Edge profile	Square, straight
Squareness	Very good
Width tolerance	±0.5-1.5mm
Burrs	Minimal (can be deburred)
Cost	Higher (slitting charge added)
Best for	Narrow strips, precise width

Cost Comparison

Edge Type	Relative Cost
Mill edge	1.0× (baseline)
Slit edge (#3)	1.05-1.10×
Slit edge with deburr (#5)	1.15-1.20×

My Experience
For a coil used at full width for tank fabrication, mill edge is fine. For a tube mill requiring 200mm wide strips, slit edge with precise tolerance is necessary. Stainless steel slit coil overview

What is a slit coil?

A slit coil is a narrow stainless steel coil that has been cut (slit) from a wider master coil. The slitting process uses rotary blades to shear the wide coil into multiple narrower coils of specific widths. What is stainless steel slit coil?

Slit coils are also called "slit strips" or "narrow coils." They are used for roll forming, tube manufacturing, stamping, and other applications that require narrow, precise widths. The slitting process can produce any width from 10mm to just under the master coil width. What is a slit coil? Types and applications

Slit Coil Characteristics

Let me explain the characteristics of slit coils.

Slit Coil Properties

Property	Value
Width range	10mm to 1,500mm
Width tolerance	±0.5-1.5mm
Edge finish	#3 (standard), #4, #5, or #6
Burr height	≤5% of thickness (standard)
Applications	Tube making, roll forming, stamping

Master Coil vs Slit Coil

Feature	Master Coil	Slit Coil
Width	1,000-1,500mm	Narrow (10-1,500mm)
Edge	Mill edge or slit edge	Slit edge
Use	Further processing	Direct manufacturing

Slitting Process Steps

1. Master coil loaded on uncoiler
2. Strip fed through slitter head with rotary blades
3. Blades cut coil into multiple narrower strips
4. Strips separated by tension stand
5. Strips rewound into individual slit coils The basics of steel slitting and its benefits

My Experience
A tube manufacturer needed 200mm wide slit coils from a 1,200mm master coil. We slit the master into six 200mm strips, each rewound into a slit coil for their tube mill. What is stainless steel slit coil?

What is a #3 slit edge?

3 slit edge is a standard edge finish classification for slit stainless steel strip. It specifies that the burr height shall not exceed 5% of the material thickness. What is Stainless Steel #3 Slit Edge?

The #3 slit edge is the most common specification. It means the edge is as slit with no secondary deburring. For applications requiring smoother edges, higher classifications like #4 (burr ≤2%) or #5 (rounded edge) are available at additional cost. Slit Edge Stainless Steel precision width & edge quality

Slit Edge Classifications

Let me explain the common slit edge classifications.

Edge Classification by Burr Height

Class	Description	Burr Allowance	Cost
#1	Not specified	Any	Lowest
#2	Narrow slit	Moderate	Low
#3	Standard slit edge	≤5% of thickness	Standard
#4	Deburred edge	≤2% of thickness	+5-10%
#5	Rounded edge	No sharp burrs	+10-15%
#6	Smooth rolled edge	Minimal	+15-20%

#3 Slit Edge Burr Limits

Thickness (mm)	Max Burr Height (mm)
0.3	0.015
0.5	0.025
1.0	0.050
2.0	0.100
3.0	0.150

When to Use #3 Slit Edge

• General manufacturing
• Not handling sensitive surfaces
• Subsequent processing (welding, coating)
• Standard tolerance acceptable Different types of slit metal edges

My Experience
For most customers, #3 slit edge is sufficient. For a customer handling the strip with bare hands, we specified #5 rounded edge for safety. What is Stainless Steel #3 Slit Edge?

What is the difference between stainless steel coil and strip?

The main difference is width. Stainless steel coil is typically wider (over 600mm). Stainless steel strip (also called slit coil) is narrower (under 600mm). However, the terms are often used interchangeably. A Guide to Stainless Steel Strip

Coil is the general term for steel wound into a roll. Strip generally refers to narrower coils produced by slitting a wider coil. There is no strict industry standard for the width cutoff, but many consider strip to be under 600mm (24 inches). Difference between stainless steel coils and strips

Coil vs Strip Comparison

Let me explain the difference between coil and strip.

Stainless Steel Coil

Property	Value
Typical width	Over 600mm (24 inches)
Edge type	Mill edge or slit edge
Applications	Sheeting, stamping large parts
Rolled by	Rolling mill

Stainless Steel Strip

Property	Value
Typical width	Under 600mm (24 inches)
Edge type	Slit edge (most common)
Applications	Tube making, roll forming, springs
Rolled by	Slitting line

Industry Usage

Term	Common Width Range
Coil	Any width
Strip	Narrow (often <600mm)
Foil	Very thin (<0.1mm)
Sheet	Cut flat pieces

Practical Distinction

• If you buy a full master coil (1,000-1,500mm wide), it is called a coil
• If you slit it into 200mm wide strips, those are often called strips or slit coils What is Stainless Steel Strip? Complete Guide for Buyers

My Experience
A customer asks for "strip." I ask the width. They say 50mm. I know they need slit coil. I ask for edge finish specification.

Conclusion

Mill edge is the as-rolled edge with wider tolerance and lower cost. Slit edge is cut to width with tighter tolerance and higher cost. #3 slit edge has burr ≤5% of thickness. Coil is generally wider; strip is narrower (often <600mm). A Guide to Stainless Steel Strip Difference between stainless steel coils and strips