How to Cut Glass

By
Kamron Sanders
Kamron Sanders
Kamron Sanders
Kamron Sanders is a home improvement expert and writer with over 15 years of hands-on construction, remodeling, woodworking, home repair, and landscaping experience. He has also written for HGTV. Kamron's expertise ranges from troubleshooting saws and lawnmowers to painting kitchen cabinets.
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Updated on 03/20/23
Slightly raised closeup of someone cutting glass

The Spruce / Adrienne Legault

Project Overview
  • Total Time: 10 - 25 mins
  • Yield: Cut glass
  • Skill Level: Intermediate
  • Estimated Cost: $10 to $20

While many glass cuts can be made at the hardware store or a local glass shop, some repair projects and crafts require custom cuts, multiple cuts, or cuts on the fly that aren't easily cut ahead of time. Learning to cut glass yourself can make these situations much easier and much more cost-effective. From prepping your work surface to readying your glass piece to cutting the glass, we've laid out the steps necessary to cut glass for your DIY and home repair projects.

Before You Begin

Set yourself up for success by reading your work area before getting started. You'll want a large, flat work table. Lay something soft on top of your work surface to prevent damage to both the glass and the table surface, such as thick cardboard, carpet, a towel, or a moving blanket.

Gathering Tools

For most people's glass-cutting needs, a basic glass-cutting tool kit has everything you need. In this, you'll find a grease pencil or marker, glass cutting oil, and a glass cutter. You may have to buy specialty cutters for thicker glass or specific types of cuts, so take time to learn the tools and make sure you're buying the appropriate glass-cutting tools for your needs. Additionally, some glass cutters feature swappable heads for different cutting needs.

Safety Considerations

As everyone knows, glass is prone to shattering, leaving both small and large shards that are incredibly sharp. The large shards are sharp and dangerous, but the tiny shards are the ones you really need to be careful with. While cutting glass, always wear tight-fitting eye protection to keep tiny glass shards from flying into your eye. Wear thick work gloves whenever possible and a long-sleeve shirt. Refrain from rubbing your face until you've removed your gloves and carefully and thoroughly cleaned your hands. Keep children, pets, and anyone that's not actively helping to cut the glass out of the area to prevent injuries.

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

  • Glass cutting kit
  • Ruler or yard stick
  • Scrap wood board
  • Glass running pliers (optional)
  • Lint-free cloth

Materials

  • Large, flat work surface
  • Soft material to cover work surface
  • Glass cleaner

Instructions

Materials needed for cutting glass

The Spruce / Adrienne Legault

How to Cut Glass Sheets

With the right tools, cutting thin glass sheets is easy and can be done by simply scoring and snapping the sheet. Follow the steps below to cut thin glass sheets safely and effectively.

  1. Clean the Glass

    Thoroughly clean the glass piece with glass cleaner and a clean, lint-free cloth. Focus on the area in which you plan to make the cut to ensure the path for scoring is totally free of debris. Let dry.

    Closeup of cleaning the glass before cutting it

    The Spruce / Adrienne Legault

  2. Measure and Mark the Glass

    Use a straight-edge ruler to measure and mark your glass for scoring. Mark the line with a grease pencil.

    Measuring and marking where to cut the glass

    The Spruce / Adrienne Legault

  3. Oil the Glass

    Place a thin line of glass cutting oil directly on the mark.

    Tip

    If you find it easier and more effective, you can dip some glass cutters directly into the cutting oil for lubrication. Additionally, some glass cutters are self-lubricating, so check your cutter's features before starting.

    Oiling up the glass to be cut

    The Spruce / Adrienne Legault

  4. Score the Line

    Using your ruler as a guide—place the glass cutter at the beginning of the line on the edge of the glass and slowly and steadily pull it toward yourself to score the line, applying equal pressure for the entire cut. Think in terms of gentle but firm pressure. Use one steady motion across the entire piece rather than several short cuts.

    Scoring the glass before cutting it

    The Spruce / Adrienne Legault

  5. Break the Glass

    Slide a scrap piece of wood beneath the glass and place it against the score line, positioned on the side of the glass you plan to keep. With one hand, apply firm but gentle pressure on the side you plan to keep. With the other hand, press down on the discard side to snap it off.

    Tip

    Breaking thin strips off of a glass sheet can be difficult, regardless of how good your score line is. To aid in your efforts, a pair of glass running pliers can be used to apply equal force on each side of the score line.

    Breaking the glass where the score line is

    The Spruce / Adrienne Legault

  6. Clean the Area

    After you're finished cutting glass, thoroughly clean the area and vacuum all surfaces to ensure no glass shards remain. Shards can be microscopic and virtually invisible, so take care to ensure every surface is cleaned.

    Using a vacuum to clean the areas where the glass was broken

    The Spruce / Adrienne Legault

How to Cut Thick Glass

In most cases, you can cut thick glass just as you cut thin glass, by scoring and breaking it. However, you may need to upgrade your glass cutter to a diamond or carbide tip cutter. For some, a glass cutter with a custom grip may aid in providing leverage for deeper scores in thick glass. A wet saw can also be used to make precise cuts on thick material, such as glass tiles.

FAQ
  • Can you cut curves in glass?

    Yes. Cutting curves in glass sheets is as simple as scoring the lines and breaking them, just like with straight cuts. However, because you can't utilize a straightedge, controlling the cutter can be more difficult at first. A glass cutter with a swivel head can aid in cutting curves.

  • How do you clean up imperfect glass cuts?

    To clean up the edges of cut glass, a pair of glass nippers is helpful. This tool essentially chews off any rough edges. Always position the edges of the glass into a bucket or container to decrease the chance of glass shards flying around.

  • What type of oil do you need for cutting glass?

    Nearly any type of cutting oil, even kerosene, will work for cutting glass, but glass cutting oil is the standard oil used by most professionals, as it offers a smooth, clean cut and protects the glass cutting wheel.