A steady state 2-D and 3-D finite element analysis has been carried out for heat transfer analysis in machining of isotropic materials. Using the developed code, reassessment of available literature has been carried out. The effect of the convective heat transfer coefficient in machining has been highlighted. Using empirically available (or experimentally determined) cutting force and feed force values, a numerical model has been developed to predict the tool-chip interface temperature profile. An extensive parametric study has been carried out for free cutting steels, copper and brass, using cutting data available in the literature, and the results of 3-D analysis are compared with the 2-D analysis and the available literature.