Can I cut porcelain tile with a jigsaw?
Noah Mitchell
Published Jan 13, 2026
You might be able to use a jigsaw with a carbide-grit blade, but keep in mind that porcelain is really strong stuff. If you use a jigsaw, you'll probably have to replace the blade several times in the course of the project. You'll also need: A grease pencil or permanent marker to mark your planned cuts on the tile.
What's the best way to cut porcelain tile?
Using manual hand tools is the best way to cut porcelain tile without chipping when you can't afford fancy tools. You may apply multiple hand tools to cut the tile. But the best way is to use a tile nipper.
How do you cut porcelain tile without a tile cutter?
For any type of tile (like ceramic, glass, or porcelain), an angle grinder is best for round cuts whereas a glass cutter can make smaller cuts. And if you have a lot of tile to trim, a wet saw is one of the easiest, quickest options.
Are porcelain tiles harder to cut?
NOTE – while porcelain tiles are harder and more dense, this also makes them more difficult to cut and shape. Ceramic tiles can be cut much more easily by hand using a wet tile saw or snap tile cutter, while porcelain tiles require much more experience in order to get a clean, accurate cut.
How do you cut porcelain tile by hand?
#1 Cutting Porcelain Tile Using a Tile Nipper
- Initially, take the tile that you want to cut and prepare it. ...
- Use the tile nipper, hold it at the edge centre of the marked line and apply pressure. ...
- Take small nips and go slow as sometimes the piece fails to nip off, and that's when you should try cutting it with a cutter.
Can you cut tile without a wet saw?
For larger jobs, there are a number of tools that can make quick work of cutting tiles without a wet saw. A manual tile cutter works well for larger tiles, doesn't require electricity and is simple to use. An inexpensive pair of compound tile nippers assists in getting corners and curves just right.
Do you need a special blade to cut porcelain tile?
If you're planning on using any kind of electric cutter, whether wet or dry, for your porcelain, you'll need a diamond blade. Part of what makes porcelain so durable is that it's a very hard material, so you'll need something even harder to cut through it.
Can you use an angle grinder to cut porcelain tile?
A smooth-edged, diamond-tipped blade is best for cutting ceramic tiles with an angle grinder, but for porcelain tiles, you must use notched blades, but for natural stone tiles, you must use serrated blades.
How do you cut long tile lengthwise without a tile cutter?
Use the tile saw to cut the tile and leave behind a smoother edge: Line up the blade on the saw with the outside of the line and cut. The outside of the line is the part of the tile you are cutting away. A tile saw also works best for "L" shaped cuts.
How do you cut a porcelain tile with a wet saw without chipping it?
Some wet saws don't have a depth setting feature. If your's doesn't, you can make a shallow cut across the tile with a diamond blade attachment on a handheld rotary tool. This method requires a very steady hand. Applying masking tape across the top of the tile prior to cutting can also help reduce chips.
Can you cut porcelain tile with a circular saw?
Using a tile cutter can be messy and unnecessarily difficult. So, can you cut porcelain tile with a circular saw? Yes, it is not only an option but, by far, the best choice. These saws have a compact electrical bench perfectly settled, with the perfect diamond-coated blade for this job, and a water pump.
Are porcelain tiles harder to cut than ceramic?
For you DIYers who like to get handy, ceramic tiles are far easier to work with. Especially in areas that require a lot of cuts to install your tiles neatly. Porcelain is much harder to cut and can require professional tools and skills to create the same effect.
Do you cut tile face up or face down?
Regardless of the kind of tile you're cutting, the best method is to cut with the front of the tile facing up. The front is the side that will be exposed once you lay the tile. This method ensures the smoothest finished edge on the tile with the least amount of chipping.
Can you use tile nippers on porcelain?
The tool can be a little harder to use on thicker ceramic floor tiles, or on porcelain tiles, which are harder than standard ceramic tiles. With practice, though, tile nippers can work quite well on all tiles except for natural stone like marble or granite.
What is the best blade to cut ceramic tile?
The Blade. The best type of blade to use with an angle grinder when cutting ceramic tile is a diamond-tipped, smooth-edge blade without any notches or serration. Notched blades are for porcelain and serrated blades are more suited to natural stones.
Can I cut porcelain tile with a snap cutter?
Snap tile cutters are dust-free and safe to use. Though tile snap cutters can cut glass or stone, they work best for ceramic or porcelain tile.
What can I use to cut porcelain?
Cutting porcelain tile with a wet saw is the most efficient and most highly recommended option, although Dremels and hand tools can easily be used to cut porcelain to your specifications as well.
How do you cut porcelain tile with a glass cutter?
Use a glass cutter to score the tile on the cut line. Place the tile on solid surface with a wire clothes hanger under the tile aligned with the score mark. Press down on either side of the tile to break the tile along the score line. If needed, smooth the cut by rubbing the edge on concrete or a brick.
How do you score and break porcelain tiles?
How to Cut Porcelain Tile
- Use a Wet Saw to Cut Porcelain Tile. A tile saw makes sense if you have to do a lot of cutting. ...
- Cutting Porcelain Tile with a Tile Cutter. A tile cutter works much like a glass cutter. ...
- Nipping Notches in Porcelain Tile. Tile nippers leave a rough edge, but that often doesn't matter.
Can you cut porcelain tile with a hacksaw?
A manual tile cutter, hacksaw or wet saw are generally best for porcelain tiles used in bathrooms. Whatever tool you use the process is similar: score a shallow cut in the tile and then use the brittle nature of the porcelain to snap the tile apart.
Why is my tile cutter breaking tiles?
Because of the compressed, fragile nature of tile, it can crack, break and fragment when you try to cut it. The best way to keep tile from cracking is to use a score-and-snap tile cutter or a diamond wet saw.