The details of X-ray techniques such as fluorescence thickness measurements, residual macrostress and texture determination for mono- and multilayers coatings of HSS and CC cutting tools are considered. The features of macrostresses measurement concern with thin high textured coatings are considered. The macrostress phenomenon concern with difference of thermal extension coefficient (TEC) of coating and substrate, deposition parameters and layer sequence in the multilayer coatings are discussed. The macrostress data concern with cutting performance of coated milling inserts are considered. High compressive residual stresses and pronounced {111} texture for HSS and weak compressive or tensile stresses for CC it is revealed for monolayer TiN coatings. The multilayer coatings TiN/Ti/TiN... are designed to minimize the stress level. The specific texture of alternating layers like Ti, TiB 2 , Al 2 O 3 , AIN and SiC, which have the TEC anisotropy (α c ¬= α a ), can be used for governing of macrostress. Ultra-high macrostresses up to 16000 MPa have been revealed for Zr-N, Zr-N-C, Zr-Nb-N and Zr-Nb-N-C coatings on HSS. The texture of ZrN phase for the polycomponent coating systems have more strong technology sensitivity in comparison with two-component coatings.