The cutting techniques described here apply to ceramic, quarry, and most porcelain tiles. Stone, terra-cotta, cement-body, and some porcelain tiles should be cut with a wet saw only. (To determine which technique to use for specific porcelain tiles, consult your dealer.)

Using a snap cutter: Mark a cut line on the tile with a pencil or a felt-tipped marker.

Position the tile firmly against the snap cutter's front guide so the cut will be square. Lift up the handle and push or pull it to score a line all the way across the tile.

It's best to score a single, continuous line, but if you score an incomplete line, go over it again. Allow the wings of the cutter to rest on either side of the scored line, and push down on the handle; the tile will snap in two.

Brush away all debris from the base of the cutter before making the next cut. For a series of cuts that are the same size, position the first tile for a cut and clamp the cutting fence against it. To cut the next tile, hold it against the fence.

Using a nibbling tool: It may seem unlikely that this simple tool can cut curves and notches in hard floor tiles, but all it takes is practice and patience. Nibbled cuts often will not be crisp and precise, but they are accurate enough for most purposes.

To make a cut that runs in two directions, first score the lines using a snap cutter. Then start taking small bites out of the cut-out area. The key is to nibble slowly, taking lots of tiny bites; if you take a big bite, you'll probably shatter the tile. Work your way slowly toward the corner of the cut. When you reach the scored lines, you can nibble more accurately.

It is usually not possible to cut off less than 1/2 inch from a floor tile using a snap cutter. To remove a slender slice from a tile, score the line with the snap cutter, and then use a nibbling tool to break off the waste side of the cut, piece by piece.

Cutting with a wet saw: A tile-cutting wet saw makes the cleanest cuts in floor tiles. A rented saw typically has a pump that squirts water through a tube onto a rotating diamond blade. The pump must be submerged in water at all times; if the blade cuts even for a few seconds while it is dry, it can become dull. An inexpensive wet saw typically has its blade partly submerged in water, so there is no need for a pump.

If the saw is equipped with a splash guard, you can use it indoors as long as you don't mind some scattered spray, but working outside will guarantee a dry room. Set the saw on a work table or two stable saw horses. For a saw with a pump, fill the pan with water, set the pump in the water, and test to make sure there is a continuous stream directed at the blade while it is on. For other saws, just make sure the water supply is filled.

More about tile flooring preparation and installation:

• Preparing a Floor for Tiling
• Ceramic or Stone Tile Floor Layout
• Installing Cement Backerboard
• Installing Tile Flooring Membrane
• Laying a Ceramic Tile Floor
• Laying a Mosaic Tile Floor
• Laying a Stone Tile Floor
• Tiling: Applying Grout
• Tiling: Applying Mortar
• Tiling: Finishing Grout
• Tiling: Setting Tiles