How to Perfectly Cut Tile
These are all the different ways to ensure your tile makes the cut
- Tile scribe
- Ruler
- Tile snapper
- Flat bed tile cutters
- Electric wet cutter
- Gloves
- Goggles
- Pencil or removable pen
- Drop cloth
Cutting tile is a huge part of retiling or tile repair projects, and knowing how to do it yourself can save both time and money. The best way to cut tile depends on the material you’re working with, the shape you want to cut, and the budget you’re working with. For example, you can easily complete small projects like replacing a cracked tile by cutting tile by hand. But you’ll likely need an electric cutter for more heavy duty projects.
Keep reading to find out which tile cutting options are best for which projects and how to use each with success.
Prepping to Cut Tile
There are a couple things to consider before you make any big purchases on your tile cutting project, like the type of tile material you’re working with and the best cutting method for the job.
Pick the Right Tile Cutting Tool for Your Project
When it comes to cutting tile, you have a host of tools to choose from. Each one is best suited for certain jobs, so sometimes you’ll have to use a combination of more than one to achieve your desired results. Find out all you need to know about the different tile cutting tools below. .
Electric wet cutter: This stationary, electric-powered option involves the least amount of labor because it does most of the job for you. It uses a water pump to cool its rotating diamond saw and minimize dust release during the cutting process. All you have to do is guide the saw while the machine takes care of the rest of the work. It’s also the best choice for making tricky L-shaped cuts because it’s less likely to result in cracks or splintering than manual options. These machines can be costly to pay for upfront, but are affordable to rent at roughly $30 to $70 a day.
Tile scribe: This tool is best for low-lift tile-cutting projects because it’s not as easy to use as the other options. It’s a pen-shaped tool with a tungsten blade that works by gradually slicing tile in one spot until the whole thing is weak enough to snap by hand. Keep this tool around for moments when you need to replace just one or two tiles.
Tile score and snapper: This option is a two-and-one tool that performs like the tile scribe but also has a snapping function so you don’t have to do that task by hand. This option still requires a fair bit of labor, so it’s also best for small-scale tile-cutting projects.
Flat bed tile cutters: A flat bed tile cutter consists of a flat surface for resting the tile, a knife for making cuts, and a lever for making snaps from a safe distance. It’s easier to use than a tile scribe or score and snapper, but still involves more labor than an electric wet cutter. You can use it for both mid- and large-scale projects, but expect to break a sweat when it comes to the latter.
Tile saw: This is another small, pen-shaped cutting tool, but (unlike the scribe) it works in the same way as an electric wet cutter—by sawing through the tile rather than slicing and snapping it. Because it’s less likely to cause cracking than manual options (like a score and snapper or flat bed tile cutter) it’s an excellent low-cost option for making L-shaped cuts.
Tile nipper: If you’re committed to cutting tile by hand, this tool is essential for making odd cuts. It works by cutting off tile piece by piece, so it’s a great option for fitting tile into unique spaces, like tile flooring with a round edge or next to a faucet.
Consider the Tile Material You’re Working With
The thickness of your tile also has an impact on which tile-cutting tools and methods you’ll be able to use. All of the above options will work on ceramic tile, which is about 15mm thick on average. Any options thicker than that will need a heavy-duty solution like an electric wet cutter or tile saw.
Save Money by Practicing on Cheap Tiles
Before diving right in and cutting your state-of-the-art, designer tiles directly, take a test drive with inexpensive tiles. Once you get a handle on the process and aren’t cracking or damaging tiles as often, you can move on to the real deal.
Prepare Your Workspace and Protect Yourself
Because tile can easily splinter and crack during the cutting process, it’s important to protect both your space and yourself beforehand. Always wear protective goggles and gloves to minimize injury, and lay a drop cloth under your workstation for easy clean-up afterward.
Cut Tile by Hand for Small Projects
Photo: Pawel/Adobe StockIf you just need to replace a handful of tiles, it will take just one or two hours to do it by hand. Follow these steps to do it with success.
1. Start by using a ruler and pencil or pen to draw a cut line along the tile.
2. Use a jaw clamp to hold the tile in place if necessary.
3. Begin using either a tile scribe or a score and snap to cut along the cut line two to three times. Take care to cut in only one direction.
4. If using a tile scribe, set the tile on a flat surface and, using both hands, apply pressure to each side of the tile until it snaps.
5. If using a score and snap, place the tile between the clippers with the tip of the tool on the cut line, then squeeze until it snaps.
Invest in a Flatbed Tile Cutter for Mid-Size Projects
Flatbed tile cutters are the best manual option for both medium and large projects. You can use this tool to cut all the necessary tiles for a new backsplash or a complete bathroom tile installation if you don’t mind breaking a sweat.
Use a ruler and pen or pencil to mark the cut line on the tile.
Place the tile in the flatbed tile cutter and make sure that the cut line and blade are in line.
Pull the handle downward and apply light pressure as you run the blade down the tile. One cut is usually enough to make the snap. If you meet resistance, make just one more cut.
Place the tile between the built-in snapper and pull the handle downward to make the snap.
Use a Tile Saw or Electric Wet Cutter for Tricky Shapes
Photo: wittybear/Adobe StockThis option is most beloved by professionals because it involves far less labor than manual tools and can greatly speed up tile-cutting projects.
Use a ruler and pen or pencil to mark the cut line on the tile.
If using an electric wet cutter, place the tile on the sliding table and line up the cut line with the tip of the blade. Slowly push the sliding table forward to make your cut—no snapping necessary.
If using a tile saw, place one side of the tile on a flat surface and secure it with a jaw clamp. Then, slowly push the saw along the cut line.
Make Small Cut-Outs with a Tile Nipper
Tile nippers are ideal for cutting out circular edges or unique indentations by hand. If you need a tile to fit neatly against a faucet, for example, this is the tool you’ll need.
Use a ruler and a pen or pencil to trace out your cut line.
Begin slowly cutting away at the tile with your tile nipper, working piece by piece from the outside in. Avoid trying to take off too much at once as this may cause your tile to crack or splinter.
When you’ve completely removed everything up to the edge of your cut line, use sandpaper to smooth out the edges.
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