How To Drill Through Tile
16/08/2024
There’s no need to panic when drilling through tiles to install bathroom accessories, kitchen shelves, or other fittings once you’ve finished tiling, or even when you’re making cuts around pipes, taps, or plug sockets before you’ve finished tiling. With the right tools and techniques, it can be done smoothly and without damage. Whether you’re working with porcelain, ceramic, or glass tiles, here’s a comprehensive guide to help you drill through tiles without cracking them.
Which Tiles Can You Drill Through?
When drilling into tiles it’s important to use a specifically designed tile hole cutter for the material you’re drilling into, so it’s important that you know what type of tile you’re drilling through. Namely, porcelain and natural stone tiles are tougher than ceramic tiles, meaning it takes more effort to cut through to the other side, and you would want to use a tile hole cutter or diamond tile drill bit that is designed to penetrate the hard glaze and main material of porcelain.
Tools You’ll Need For Drilling Through Tile




Before starting to drill through tile, you need to gather the necessary tools:
- Variable-speed power drill
- Drill bits - you might want a carbide-tipped masonry drill bit or a diamond-tipped drill bit depending on what type of tile you are drilling through. A tile hole cutter set is a great option because it includes different cutter sizes for multiple project types.
- Masking tape - a good example is the Faithfull masking tape.
- Water & a drilling lubricant - cooling wax and water sprays are important products if you want to drill through tile without cracking.
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) - Whether you need work gloves, dust control equipment, ear defenders, safety goggles or glasses, or even knee pads and kneeling pads, we stock an extensive range of PPE.
- Pencil or tile marker - you’ll need this to mark your masking tape.
- Measuring tape - you’ll need a tape measure to measure where your drilling holes need to be marked.
Steps to Drill Through Tile
Here is a step-by-step on how to drill through tile:
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Measure and Mark the Spot
Use a pencil or marker to indicate where you want to drill. Applying a piece of masking tape over the mark can help prevent the drill bit from slipping. The Pro Tiler Tools drill guide, Marcrist PG 850 Drill Guide or Rubi dry and wet cut multi-drill guide are also great pieces of kit for this part of the process.
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Choose the Right Drill Bit
Selecting the best drill bit to drill through porcelain tile is crucial. For ceramic tiles, a carbide-tipped masonry bit works well. A diamond-tipped bit is often the best choice for porcelain and glass tiles due to its hardness and durability.
Explore tile hole cutters & drill bits here. -
Prepare the Drill
Set your drill to a low-speed setting. Drilling through tile requires patience and control to avoid cracking.
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Start Drilling
Begin drilling at a 45-degree angle to create a small indent. This helps the bit grip the surface. Once the bit has penetrated the glaze, gradually bring the drill to a 90-degree angle.
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Keep It Cool
Overheating can cause tiles to crack and can also damage the diamond on the drill bit. To prevent this, spray water on the drill bit and tile periodically. Alternatively, use a drilling lubricant. This is especially important when drilling through porcelain tile and glass tile.
- Here are some cooling wax options: Bihui Cooling Wax For Diamond Core Bits, Battipav Diamond Bit Cooling Wax, and Montolit Mondrillo Performer Diamond Core Bit Cooling Fluid.
- Here are some hole-cutting water sprayers: Marcrist PG 850 Water Spray Bottle and Rubi Hole Cutting Water Bottle.
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Apply Consistent Pressure
Use steady, gentle pressure. Let the drill bit do the work; pressing too hard can result in cracks. Patience is key when drilling through bathroom tiles or any other type of tile.
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Drilling Through Tile
Continue drilling with consistent pressure. For thicker tiles, it may take some time. Ensure the area stays lubricated and cool.
How To Drill Through Tile: 4 Tips for Success
- Avoiding Cracks: To drill through tiles without cracking, always keep the drill bit cool and use the appropriate drill bit for the material.
- Prevent Slips: Masking tape helps prevent the bit from slipping, ensuring a clean start.
- Persistent Issues: If you find you can't drill through tile, double-check your drill bit type and ensure you’re using enough lubrication.
- Getting a tile hole cutter set - so that you can seamlessly cut through ceramic, porcelain, granite, and marble tiles, with different cutter sizes available ensuring high performance for projects of any complexity.
Ultimately, the key is to select the right drill bit for your tile type and keep it cool. Ensure you measure out your hole correctly and then take your time letting the drill do the hard work for you and you’ll avoid damaging the tile surface.
Drilling Through Tile: Specific Tile Types
In order to effectively drill through tile, you need to know what tile type you are working with to determine the drill bit needed.
How To Drill Into Ceramic Tile: Best Drill Bit for Ceramic Tiles

Drilling through ceramic tile is different to drilling into porcelain or natural stone tiles because ceramic tiles are not as dense. Therefore for this job, you will need a Tungsten Carbide Tipped drill bit, like the Genesis Tile And Glass Carbide Tipped Drill Bit.
Tungsten Carbide drill bits traditionally come in a spear headed design, this shape helps prevent chipping or breaking. These are suitable for ceramic tiles only, if used on porcelain the point of the drill bit will burn out and become flat.
Read more: The Best Drill Bits For Ceramic Tile
How To Drill Through Porcelain Tile

As porcelain tiles and natural stone tiles are dense, they are harder to drill through and therefore require a more hardy drill bit. A diamond-tipped drill bit can be used on either wall or floor tiles.
Some diamond drill bits are water-cooled while others are filled with wax to stop the bit from overheating and damaging the diamonds. The type of drill bit required depends on whether it is a wet or dry cut. The PREMTOOL HEX dry cut diamond tile hole cutter is a popular choice, that comes in many sizes.
Summary
Drilling Through Porcelain Tile | Drilling Through Ceramic Tile | Drilling Through Glass Tile |
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Use a diamond-tipped drill bit. | A carbide-tipped masonry bit or ceramic-specific drill bit is needed. | A diamond-tipped bit is essential. |
Keep the drill bit cool with water. | Follow standard drilling steps. | Use light pressure and keep the area well-lubricated. |
Be patient and apply steady pressure | ||
Suggested drill bits: |
Suggested drill bits: |
Suggested drill bits: |
By following these guidelines, you’ll be able to drill through any type of tile with precision and confidence. Whether you’re mounting fixtures in your bathroom or installing new tiles, mastering the technique of drilling through tiles will save you time and frustration. If you need any assistance with your order, don’t hesitate to contact our team of experts, via email at [email protected] or give us a call at 01604 859800.