In this study, the chip breaking characteristics of S, PbS and BiS free machining steels have been assessed. PbS free machining steel shows the lowest value of chip thickness ($t_c$) under the same cutting conditions. SM10C steel has the largest value of the chip cross-section area ratio ($R_{CA}$). As the feed rate becomes larger the chip breaking cycle time ($T_B$) decreases and the chip breaking index ($C_B$) increases. The properly controlled-C type chip has been obtained with the value of $C_B$ between 0.05 and 0.2. Free machining steel, PbS produces the properly controlled-C type chip in a wider feed rate range than other steels.