Based on the inhomogeneous and anisotropic nature of three dimensional woven carbon fiber compos ite, the turning surface is classified to four kinds of typical surface. Three dimensional woven carbon fiber composite was machined by ultrasonic assisted turning and common turning with three different cutters. The evaluation method of surface quality was established by investigating the surface roughness variation law of four kinds of typical surface. Cutting force and tool wear in the ultrasonic assisted turning and common turning were studied. The results show that ultrasonic assisted turning can effectively improve surface quality, decrease cutting force and prolong tool life as contrasted with common turning when machining three dimensional woven carbon fiber composite.