The experimental study was performed on CNC vertical machining center Mazak Nexus 410A-II CNC Mill in the absence of cutting fluid application. The experiments adopted contour-in tool path strategy for pocket millings machining by varying the cutting parameters. A total of 20 runs designed with Design of Experiment software were tested. It was observed that inclined strategy exhibits a higher cutting force, and subsequently followed by zigzag and contour-in strategy. The high value of cutting forces occurred in the inclined tool path strategy was mostly due to the large tool engagements angle dominating most of the tool engagement forms. In this research, empirical model of cutting force for contour-in strategy is developed.