This paper describes a method of estimating and evaluating the volumetric errors of multi-axis machine tools. The estimation method is based on a generic model that was developed from conventional kinematic error models for the geometric and thermal errors to help predict the volumetric error easily in various configurations. To demonstrate the advantages of the model, an application in the early stages of a five-axis machine tool design is presented as an example. The model was experimentally evaluated for a four-axis machine tool by using the data from ISO230-6 and R-test measurements to compare the estimated and measured volumetric errors.