Jigsaw blade choice for tiles is different from every other material you’ll cut. Tiles are hard, brittle, and prone to chipping if you use the wrong blade or technique. A jigsaw isn’t the fastest tile-cutting method — a tile cutter or angle grinder will be quicker for straight cuts — but if you need a curved cut or a cut-out in ceramic wall tile, a jigsaw with the right blade is the most controllable tool you have.
Tile blades have no teeth. They have grit bonded to the blade edge and grind through the tile rather than cutting it. Bosch’s jigsaw tile blade, the T150 RIFF (sold as T150RF), uses fine carbide grit (K50). Bosch lists it for soft ceramic wall tile 5–10 mm thick, glass-fibre reinforced plastic and cast iron. It does not list it for porcelain, glass or natural stone.
Quick Blade Recommendations for Tiles
| Tile type | Jigsaw blade | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Soft ceramic wall tile (5–10 mm) | Bosch T150 RIFF (carbide grit K50) | Bosch’s listed use. Fine for curves and cut-outs. |
| Porcelain (floor or wall) | None listed by Bosch | Use a wet tile saw, or an angle grinder with a diamond blade. |
| Glass tile | None listed by Bosch | Use a wet tile saw or a glass tile cutter. |
| Natural stone (marble, slate, granite) | None listed by Bosch | Use a wet saw, or an angle grinder with a diamond blade. |
Recommended Diamond Blades
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Carbide Grit: How Tile Blades Work
A grit blade grinds a narrow groove through the tile. It is slow, it makes fine dust, and it works best on soft, thin wall tile. Let the blade do the work, keep the feed light and switch off the pendulum (orbital) action so the blade does not hammer the glaze.
Do not use a wood or metal blade on tile. Toothed blades are not made for ceramic and will chip the glaze or blunt within seconds.
Ceramic vs Porcelain Tiles
Ceramic wall tiles, the kind in most bathrooms and kitchens, are the softest common tile and the only kind Bosch lists its jigsaw tile blade for (5–10 mm). Porcelain is fired harder and is much denser, so it is outside that listed use.
- Ceramic wall tile: Bosch T150 RIFF, slow and steady, no pendulum action
- Porcelain: use a wet tile saw for straight cuts, or an angle grinder with a diamond blade for curves and notches
Natural Stone and Glass Tiles
Marble, slate, granite and glass are outside the listed use of Bosch’s jigsaw tile blade. A jigsaw is the wrong tool for them: use a wet saw for straight cuts and an angle grinder with a diamond blade, or a diamond hole saw, for curves and holes.
Speed and Technique in Ceramic Wall Tile
- Mark the cut on masking tape over the glaze. The tape helps protect the glaze from chipping and makes the line easier to see.
- Support the tile fully on a flat board, close to the cut line.
- Pendulum (orbital) action off; use a slow to medium speed and a light feed.
- Let the blade grind. Pushing harder chips the glaze and wears the grit faster.
- Support the off-cut at the end of the cut so it does not snap off.
Jigsaw vs Tile Cutter vs Angle Grinder
- Manual tile cutter: the quickest way to make straight cuts in ceramic wall tile. It cannot cut curves.
- Wet tile saw: straight cuts in porcelain, stone and glass.
- Angle grinder with a diamond blade: notches and curves in hard tile and stone. Dusty; wear a mask.
- Jigsaw with a carbide-grit blade: curves and cut-outs in soft ceramic wall tile.
Cutting Holes in Tiles
For a round hole (a pipe or a waste), a diamond hole saw or tile core drill is quicker and neater than a jigsaw. For an irregular cut-out in wall tile, drill a pilot hole inside the waste area, then cut out to the line with a carbide-grit jigsaw blade.
Blade Compatibility — T-Shank
The Bosch T150 RIFF has a T-shank, so it fits any jigsaw that takes T-shank blades, including Bosch, DeWalt, Makita, Milwaukee and Ryobi models.
Safety — Dust, Noise and Eye Protection
- Cutting tile makes fine dust. Wear a dust mask (FFP2 or better) and work in a ventilated space.
- Wear safety glasses: tile fragments can fly from the cut.
- Wear hearing protection for longer cuts.
Buying Guide — Blade Sources
Buy a diamond tile hole saw on Amazon
Prices vary by retailer and pack size, so compare before you buy.
Common Mistakes — And How to Avoid Them
Using a wood or metal blade on tile
Toothed blades are not made for ceramic. Use a grit blade such as the Bosch T150 RIFF.
Using a jigsaw on porcelain, glass or stone
Bosch lists its jigsaw tile blade for soft ceramic wall tile only. Use a wet saw, angle grinder or diamond hole saw for harder materials.
Leaving the pendulum action on
Pendulum action makes the blade hammer the glaze. Switch it off for tile.
Related Guides
Learn more about jigsaw blades and techniques:
- Complete Jigsaw Blade Guide & Compatibility — general blade selection and saw compatibility
- Jigsaw Blade TPI Guide — Teeth Per Inch — why TPI matters for different materials
- Cutting Kitchen Worktops with Jigsaws — laminate, solid wood, and Corian techniques
- Cutting Metal with Jigsaws — steel, aluminium, and sheet metal
Watch: Video Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
What jigsaw blade cuts ceramic tiles?
The Bosch T150 RIFF (T150RF), a carbide-grit (K50) T-shank blade. Bosch lists it for soft ceramic wall tile 5–10 mm thick, glass-fibre reinforced plastic and cast iron.
Can I use a jigsaw to cut porcelain tiles?
Bosch does not list its jigsaw tile blade for porcelain. Use a wet tile saw for straight cuts, or an angle grinder with a diamond blade for curves and notches.
Can I cut glass tiles with a jigsaw?
It is not a job for a jigsaw. Use a wet tile saw or a glass tile cutter.
Can I use a wood or metal blade on tile?
No. Toothed blades are not made for ceramic and will chip the glaze or blunt quickly. Use a grit blade such as the Bosch T150 RIFF.
How do I cut a round hole in a tile?
A diamond hole saw or tile core drill is quicker and neater than a jigsaw for round holes. Use a jigsaw with a carbide-grit blade for irregular cut-outs in soft wall tile.
Is a tile cutter better than a jigsaw for straight cuts?
Yes, for ceramic wall tile. A manual tile cutter scores and snaps straight cuts quickly. Use the jigsaw for curves and cut-outs.
How we compile this guide
We cross-reference compatibility details against manufacturer specifications where available, official tool manuals, and the physical standards that govern fitment (bore sizes, arbor diameters, voltage platforms, connector types). We prioritise primary sources over retailer listings, flag anything we can’t confirm, and re-verify the data on a regular cycle. Where we give a buying recommendation, we tell you the reasoning — not just the link. More on our method →
