Cut an L-shaped tile

Mark, score and nibble an L-shaped notch into a tile so it fits neatly round a corner, pipe or fitting.

LT-01Gather your tools and check the tileYou'll need a tile cutter (scoring type), tile nibblers, a diamond rubbing stone or file, a pencil or marker pen, a straight edge, and a piece of card or paper for a template. Check the spare tile is the same batch as the rest so the colour matches. Wear safety glasses and gloves throughout — tile edges and offcuts are sharp.

1 each · Tile cutter (scoring type)

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1 each · Tile nibblers

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1 each · Diamond rubbing stone or tile file

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1 each · Safety glasses

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1 pair · Work gloves

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LT-02Make a paper template of the spaceCut a piece of card or paper to the exact size of the tile you're replacing. Hold it in position and mark where it needs to be trimmed to clear the corner, pipe or fitting, leaving a small gap of 2-3mm for grout and any pipe movement. This template is your safety net — get the shape right on paper before you touch the tile.

1 sheet · Card or paper

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1 each · Tape measure

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LT-03Transfer the L-shape onto the tile faceLay the template on the tile's glazed face, lined up square with the edges. Trace round the notch with a pencil or fine marker, then go over both straight lines with a straight edge so they're dead straight. Mark the exact point where the two lines meet — this internal corner is the trickiest part of the cut.

1 each · Fine marker pen or pencil

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LT-04Score the first line, stopping exactly at the cornerRun the tile cutter along the first line with firm, even pressure, starting at the tile edge and stopping precisely at the marked corner point — don't run the score past it. Overrunning the score is the main cause of tiles cracking in the wrong place. Do one firm pass rather than several light ones.

LT-05Score the second line the same wayScore the second line of the L, again stopping exactly at the same corner point where the two scores meet. You should now have a clean scored L on the tile's surface, not two lines running across the whole tile. Check both lines meet neatly before moving on.

LT-06Nibble away the waste piece in small bitesYou can't snap an internal L-cut in one go like a straight cut. Working from the outer edge of the waste piece towards the corner, use tile nibblers to break away small chunks along each scored line, a few millimetres at a time. Take it slowly near the corner — this is where a rushed bite can crack into the piece you're keeping.

LT-07Smooth the cut edges and the cornerRun the diamond rubbing stone or tile file along both cut edges and round the internal corner to knock off sharp nibs and even out the line. Work in one direction rather than scrubbing back and forth. Check the edge that will be visible once fitted and take extra care to smooth that one well.

LT-08Dry-fit the tile before you commitOffer the tile up to the gap without adhesive and check it sits with an even gap all round for grout, and clears any pipe or fitting by 2-3mm. If it's tight in one spot, mark it and take a little more off with the file rather than the nibblers, which can take off more than you want in one bite.

LT-09Clean up and prepare for fixingWipe tile dust off the cut edges with a damp cloth so adhesive bonds properly. Sweep up offcuts and dust straight away — porcelain and ceramic shards are sharp and easy to miss on a floor. The tile is now ready to fix in place with adhesive and grout as normal.

1 each · Damp cloth

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