The nanoindentation fracture of multilayer hard coatings of TiNrTi C,N.rTiC, Al2O3rTiCrTi C,N.rTiC, TiNrTi C,N.rTiCrTi C,N.rTiC and TiNrTi C,N.rTiCrTi C,N.rTiCrTi C,N.rTiC, deposited on cemented carbide using a CVD technique was studied. Based on an analysis of the energy released in cracking, the calculated fracture toughness values of these coatings were 2.18, 1.74, 3.40 and 3.90 MPa m1r2, respectively. Both load-penetration depth and loadl penetration depth squared plots have been demonstrated to be necessary if a more complete understanding of the coating system behaviour is to be gained. The interfacial failure and the critical load of interfacial failure of these coatings were also discussed. A step was found in the forcel displacement curves at the onset of coating fracture. A straight line segment in the oad-penetration depth squared curves was discussed. The hardness, fracture toughness and anti-wearability of these coatings were compared. The results show that the fracture toughness and anti-wearability are getting higher with the layers increasing.