In this study, we carried out the interrupted cutting of carbon steel for a machine structure (SM45C) with a CVD-coated tool and conducted an ANOVA test and a confidence interval analysis to find factors influence the surface roughness and to obtain a regression equation. We found that factor which mostly affects the surface roughness during interrupted cutting was the feed rate. The cutting speed and depth of the cut only had small effect on the surface roughness. From the result of a multi-regression analysis during an interrupted cutting experiment, we obtained regression equation. Its coefficient of determination was 0.918, indicating that the regression equation was predictable. Compared to continuous cutting, if the feed rate increases, the surface roughness will also increase during interrupted cutting.