How to Drill Into Tile Without Cracking It
Quick answer
Use a tile or diamond tipped bit, mark the spot with masking tape to stop the bit slipping, and drill at a slow speed with light pressure and NO hammer action. Keep the tip cool with a little water, and switch to a masonry bit only once you are through the tile and into the wall behind.
Tile is hard, brittle, and glazed, which is exactly why so many people crack it when drilling. The trick is patience and the right bit. Rush it, use hammer mode, or let the bit skate across the glaze, and you get a spider crack. Do it slowly and correctly and you get a clean hole every time. Here is the method.
Use the right bit
Never use a normal bit on tile. For ceramic tile a spear point tile bit works well, and for tough porcelain you want a diamond tipped bit. These are designed to grind through the hard glaze rather than punch through it, which is what keeps the tile intact.
Stop the bit from slipping
The glaze is slippery, so the bit tends to wander at the start and scratch the surface. Stick a cross of masking tape over the spot and mark your hole on the tape. The tape gives the tip something to grip so it can start cutting exactly where you want.
Drill slow, no hammer
- Set your drill to a low speed and, crucially, turn OFF any hammer action.
- Start straight and square with light, steady pressure. Let the bit grind, do not force it.
- Dip the bit in water or drip a little on the tile every few seconds to keep the tip cool, which stops it burning out and reduces the chance of cracking.
- Ease right off as you feel the bit break through the back of the tile.
Switch bits for the wall behind
Once through the tile, stop. The wall behind is usually plaster, brick, or concrete. Swap to the correct masonry bit and, if it is brick or concrete, you can now use hammer action for the rest of the hole. Never use hammer while still in the tile.
Fix into the hole
Push your wall plug through the tile and into the wall so it sits in the masonry behind, not in the tile itself. Choose anchors sized to your screw, then fit your fixture. Avoid overtightening, which can crack a tile from behind.
FAQs
Can I drill tile with a normal drill bit?
No. A standard wood or metal bit will skate on the glaze and is very likely to crack the tile. Use a spear point tile bit for ceramic or a diamond tipped bit for porcelain.
Should I use hammer mode to drill tile?
Never while you are still in the tile. Hammer action shatters glaze. Drill the tile with rotary only, then switch to hammer once the bit reaches brick or concrete behind it.
Why does my tile keep cracking when I drill?
Usually too much speed, too much pressure, hammer mode left on, or the wrong bit. Slow down, keep pressure light, turn off hammer, and use a proper tile or diamond bit.
How do I keep the drill bit from slipping on tile?
Put a cross of masking tape over the spot and mark your hole on it. The tape stops the tip wandering so it can start cutting exactly where you want.
Do I need to cool the drill bit?
Yes, a little water on the tip helps a lot. It stops the bit overheating, keeps it cutting, and reduces the heat stress that can crack a tile, especially with porcelain.