The important portion of machining costs associated with cutting inserts and scraps induces the search for better effectiveness in turning. This paper presents the results of an exploratory study on the influence of tool flank wear on roughness indicators (arithmetic average roughness, root mean square roughness and maximum height of the roughness profile). The objective is to determine which of these indicators is best correlated with the cutting tool flank wear. In order to do this, specimens of AISI 1045 are machined until the end of life of a cutting insert. Significant, strong and positive correlations are found between all three roughness indicators and the tool flank wear. The most significant correlation is found with the arithmetic average roughness and the root mean square roughness of the profile. The choice of the end-of-life criteria for cutting inserts in industrial contexts is also discussed.