Coated tools are used to improve productivity of machining operations by enhancing contact properties, wear performance and chemical stability. Design of coating strategy by selecting layer sequence, thermophysical properties etc. may even provide further improvements in productivity. In this study, a hybrid thermo mechanical approach is proposed to predict the cutting tool temperature under different cutting conditions in milling operations. The developed model is also validated by experimental findings. Then, the model is utilized to investigate the effect of thermal shielding phenomenon which can be used to decrease the substrate temperature and longer the tool life.