FIELD: measuring technology. SUBSTANCE: invention relates to the field of measuring technology in metalworking and can be used to measure the temperature in the cutting part of the tool during the cutting process. The method includes the use of a prefabricated tool, the cutting part of which consists of several separate plates, on the side surfaces of which, before assembling the tool, a thermal indicator substance is applied in the form of a multi-transition thermal indicator paint. In this case, after the end of the cutting process, the cutting part is disassembled and the color changes of the said paint on the side surfaces of the plates are analyzed, on the basis of which the distributions of temperature fields in the volume of the cutting part of the tool are determined. EFFECT: use of the invention makes it possible to determine with high accuracy the temperature values throughout the volume of the cutting part of the tool. 1 cl, 2 dwg.