How to Cut Tile Around a Toilet (Step-by-Step Guide)

Cutting tile around a toilet is one of the trickier parts of tiling a bathroom floor — the curved base of the toilet requires a curved cut that can't be made with a standard straight tile cutter. But with the right tools and technique, it's very manageable. Here's exactly how to do it.

What You'll Need

• QEP Compound Tile Nipper — heavy-duty, for tiles up to 1/4 inch thick
• Glass & Ceramic Tile Nippers Set — wheeled nippers for smooth curved cuts
• Pencil or marker
• Paper or cardboard for making a template
• Safety glasses and gloves
• Rubbing stone or diamond hand pad (for smoothing edges)

Step 1: Make a Template of the Toilet Base

The most accurate way to cut tile around a toilet is to make a paper template first.

Method A — Paper template: Cut a piece of paper or cardboard to the size of the tile. Hold it against the toilet base and trace the curve of the base onto the paper. Cut out the template along the traced line and test the fit. Adjust until the template fits snugly around the toilet base, then trace the template onto your tile.

Method B — Compass method: Set a compass to the distance between the tile edge and the toilet base. Run the compass along the toilet base while the pencil traces the curve onto the tile.

Step 2: Score the Cut Line

Use a glass cutter or scoring tool to score along the curved cut line on the tile. This gives the nippers a guide to follow and reduces the risk of cracking the tile in the wrong direction.

Step 3: Cut the Curve with Tile Nippers

Use QEP compound tile nippers or wheeled tile nippers to nibble away the tile along the curved cut line. Take small bites — 2–5mm at a time. Work from the edge of the tile toward the curve line, removing waste material gradually.

Don't try to bite right to the line immediately — get close first, then refine the curve with smaller, more precise bites.

Step 4: Smooth the Edge

Use a rubbing stone or diamond hand pad to smooth the curved edge. The edge will be hidden under the toilet base, so it doesn't need to be perfect — but smoothing removes sharp points that could crack the tile during installation.

Step 5: Dry-Fit Before Installing

Always dry-fit the cut tile around the toilet base before applying any adhesive. Check that the tile fits snugly with consistent spacing on all sides. Make any final adjustments with the nippers before setting the tile.

Alternative Method: Angle Grinder for Tighter Curves

For very tight curves or porcelain tile (which is harder to nip), use an angle grinder with a diamond blade to make relief cuts from the tile edge to just inside the curve line, then carefully cut along the curve. This gives more control on hard tile materials.

Tips for Cutting Around a Toilet

• The toilet base covers the cut edge — the cut doesn't need to be perfect, just close enough that the gap is hidden
• Leave a small gap (2–3mm) between the tile and the toilet base for caulk — don't try to cut the tile flush against the porcelain
• If the toilet is already installed, you may need to cut the tile in two pieces to fit it around the base
• Always wear safety glasses — tile nippers send fragments flying

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to remove the toilet to tile around it?
Ideally yes — removing the toilet allows you to tile the full floor and then reinstall the toilet on top of the tile. Tiling around an installed toilet requires more precise curved cuts and leaves a visible seam.

What's the best tool for cutting tile around a toilet?
Tile nippers are the most practical tool for the curved cuts needed around a toilet base. The QEP compound nipper handles tiles up to 1/4 inch thick with good control.

How do I seal the gap between tile and toilet base?
Fill the gap between the tile and toilet base with flexible silicone caulk that matches your grout color. Don't use grout — it will crack as the toilet shifts slightly with use.

Can I use a wet saw to cut around a toilet?
A wet saw makes straight cuts only. For the curved cut around a toilet base, tile nippers or an angle grinder are the appropriate tools.