How to Cut Tiles

Whether you’re refreshing a bathroom or updating a kitchen, learning how to cut tiles is a great skill to have. You'll probably need to shape a few tiles to fit perfectly around an obstacle like a toilet or a pipe, which will involve a bit of measuring, marking, and cutting.

We can’t promise to turn you into a master DIY-er in a day, but we can get you started with the handy how-to video included at the top of this page. And if you’d prefer written instructions, keep scrolling for a step-by-step guide.

Useful links

TOOLS

MATERIALS

SAFETY

USEFUL LINKS

Ceramic tiles under 15mm thick are cut easily using a manual tile scorer, a tile saw, or a tile cutting machine.
Delicate porcelain tiles over 15mm thick require a wet cut tile saw fitted with a diamond blade to prevent the edges from chipping.
Curved cuts around pipes and obstacles are made by creating a slotted paper template, scoring the shape, and carefully removing small chunks with a tile nipper.

Staying safe

Cutting tiles means you'll inevitably generate sharp shards and fragments. Because of this, it's always best to put on safety goggles and protective gloves before you begin. And while they aren't essential, we also suggest wearing knee pads. Tiling often involves kneeling for long periods, so staying comfortable helps you focus on getting the job done right.

Choosing the best tile cutting tools

The most suitable tools for cutting depend on the type of tile you're working with. There are a number of tile cutting tools available for ceramic tiles, which are usually less than 15mm thick, and because they’re thinner, they’re easier to score. Your options include a manual tile scorer, a tile saw, or a tile cutting machine.

When you’re looking at how to cut porcelain tiles, the approach changes. Porcelain or natural stone tiles are delicate and usually more than 15mm thick. This makes them difficult to cut with a normal tool. For these, a wet cut tile saw with a diamond tile cutting blade is the best tool to use.

In kitchens and bathrooms, you’ll probably also need to shape curved tiles to fit around a toilet or sink base. To cut awkward curved lines, it's best to use a tile nipper or a special hacksaw. We'll cover all these practical options in the steps below.

Tile cutters
Tiling tools
Masking tape
Hacksaw
Tile scribe
Tape measure
Sandpaper
Bathroom tiles
Kitchen tiles
Floor tiles
Wall tiles
Protective gloves
Safety goggles
Dust masks
Knee pads

How to cut tiles without a tile cutter

If you only have a few simple adjustments to make, you might wonder if this is a job you can do without having to invest in a tile cutter. Depending on the type of cut you need to make, it's possible to manually cut ceramic tiles. Scribing the tile is the simplest method.

Using a metal ruler and a pencil, mark your measurement onto a tile and draw a cutting line.

Firmly hold the metal ruler against the pencil mark and use a tile scriber to score the pencil line several times. Make sure the tile is scored along its full length to guarantee a clean edge.

Place your pencil directly underneath the scored line and press down firmly on the tile to split it.

How to use a tile cutter

For larger tiling projects, a manual machine makes the work much faster and gives you consistent results. If you need to know how to use a tile cutter, just follow these steps.

Mark up the tile and insert it into the machine so that the mark is in line with the guide. Lower the handle to bring the scorer into contact with the tile and push or pull the handle to score once along the line.

Lower the handle fully so that the snapper touches the tile and apply pressure to snap the tile in two.

How to use a combined tile scorer and snapper

If you are using a combined tile scorer and snapper, the process is very similar.

First, score along your mark using the tile scorer and a metal ruler.

Insert the tile into the jaws of the tile snapper, aligning the scored mark to the centre of the tool. Squeeze the handles and the tile will snap in two.

How to cut a curved tile

Bathrooms and kitchens are full of pipes and curved fixtures. The best way to cut a curved tile is with a tile nipper or a specially designed hacksaw.

Firstly, you’ll need to create a paper template of the necessary tile shape. Cut a piece of paper to the same size as a whole tile.

Then cut a series of 5-10mm wide slits along the edge where the paper tile touches the base of your obstacle.

Place the paper tile into position, allowing a 5mm gap for tile spacers. Form your edge against the obstacle by pressing the paper down and folding back the slits.

Then use a pencil to mark the edge of the obstacle along your template. Remove the template and cut along the edge line.

Check that your paper tile is an accurate fit before you do any cutting.

Tape the template to a real tile and carefully mark the intended cut line. Remove the paper and tape and use a tile scribe to score along the pencil line.

Use a tile nipper to cut away the unwanted part of the tile. Only remove small chunks at a time as you work your way towards the scribed edge. Take much smaller chunks when you get close to the line.

When you reach the scribed line, smooth off the edges using a tile file or fine grade sandpaper. Then wipe the tile with a damp cloth to remove any dust and fit the cut tile.

You can also use a hacksaw with a tungsten carbide rod to cut ceramic tiles. Securely hold the tile on a workbench and gently cut along your marked line, pulling the saw backwards and forwards. Smooth off the edges with a tile file or fine sandpaper and wipe down with a damp cloth.

How to use a tile saw

A tile saw can give you faster results with less manual effort, but there are a few things to remember when using one.

If you are using a tile saw on a workbench, choose a slow cutting speed after marking your cut line.

Turn the tile as you cut rather than turning the tool itself.

Afterwards, always smooth off the edges with a file and a damp cloth.

How to cut porcelain tiles

Porcelain or natural tiles are more delicate than ceramic tiles, which makes them difficult to cut with a normal tile cutter. You’ll need to use a diamond blade wet-saw tile cutter. These can cut tiles up to 25mm thick and have a fine blade to prevent chipping.

Mark out your cutting line as usual and apply masking tape along the edge to reduce the chance of chipping.

Align your guide mark with the blade then slowly and steadily feed the tile along the blade until the cut is made.

Note: remember to keep the water topped up to prevent the blade from overheating.

We hope this guide has shown you that learning how to cut tiles isn't as difficult as it might first appear. By choosing the right tile cutting tools for your specific material, you'll find it much easier to achieve a clean and accurate finish.

Whether you’re simply scribing a thin ceramic piece or using a wet cut tile saw equipped with a tile cutting blade to trim delicate porcelain, taking your time is the secret to a great result.

Just remember to put your safety first. Shaping and snapping inevitably creates sharp fragments, so always put on your safety goggles and protective gloves before you make a start.

Now that you understand the different methods and equipment, you're ready to confidently handle your own tiling work. If you’re now looking for a broader tiling DIY guide, check out our article on how to tile a bathroom floor.

FAQs

To cut tiles effectively, always select the right tool for the material you are using. Manual scorers work for thin ceramic, while thick porcelain needs a diamond blade wet-saw. Cutting creates sharp shards, so always wear safety goggles and protective gloves before you begin.

For standard curved cuts on ceramic tiles, a hacksaw with a tungsten carbide rod works perfectly. However, if you are working with thick porcelain, the best saw for tile cutting is a wet cut tile saw. The water keeps the blade cool and prevents delicate tiles from chipping.

While we recommend a wet cut tile saw or a manual tile cutting machine for the cleanest finish, you can use an angle grinder to cut tile if you’re making awkward L-shaped cuts around fixtures. If you choose this method, ensure you have the correct diamond disc attached and always wear your safety goggles and dust mask.

Floor tiles are often thicker and harder than wall tiles because they handle heavy foot traffic. When you look at how to cut floor tile, you'll generally find that a heavy-duty manual tile cutter or a wet saw is required, especially if the floor tiles are made of porcelain. Ceramic wall tiles are thinner and can often be scored and snapped with simpler hand tools.