The ferrite-bainite-martensite (FBM) multiphase V-microalloyed steel with a yield strength of 1384 MPa was subjected to turning test in order to study the effect of cutting parameters such as cutting speed, feed, and depth of cut on cutting force, feed force, and radial force. The cutting forces are found to decrease with increase in the cutting speed for various feed with constant depth of cut. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) for all the three forces shows that feed rate and depth of cut are the significant parameters at 95 % confidence level, and also, the interaction between cutting parameters is insignificant. The optimum parameter for machining multiphase (FBM) microalloyed steel is found to be cutting velocity 80 m/min, feed rate 0.05 mm/rev, depth of cut 0.1 mm. The multiphase microalloyed steel requires less force as compared to quenched and tempered, microalloyed, and other existing high strength low alloy (HSLA) steels like AISI 4340. The easy machinability of multiphase microalloyed steel is promoted by soft polygonal ferrite (PF) and bainite phases present in the microstructure of the steel. © 2015, Springer-Verlag London.