In this paper, we developed a virtual model predicting the tool deflection induced surface error and investigated the sensitivity and direction of the maximum surface error in various tool geometries and cutting conditions. The characteristics of the error were classified into the axial sensitive, radial sensitive, robust, overcut, and overlap zones according to the depth of cut. The maximum surface error was sensitive to the uncertainty of the radial depth of cut and robust to axial depth variation at the finishing process using a small radial depth of cut. The radial sensitivity was reduced by a large helix angle of tool. The sensitivity was decreased by increasing the depth of cut and it arrived at zero in the robust zone where the maximum surface error was not changed by both radial and axial depths of cut. An overcut occurred if axial and radial depths were deep and the overcut zone was enlarged by the helix angle and the number of teeth.