How to Cut Vinyl Plank Flooring: Tools and Methods for Every Cut

The Short Answer

Most vinyl plank can be cut with a sharp utility knife using the score-and-snap method for straight crosscuts. Thicker rigid-core planks, long rips, and notches usually call for a saw, a flooring cutter, or a jigsaw. The method you choose depends on the thickness of the plank and the shape of the cut.

Cutting Methods Compared

How to Score and Snap

1. Measure and mark the cut line on the face of the plank
2. Set a straightedge along the line and hold it firmly
3. Score through the wear layer with a sharp utility knife, using several passes rather than one deep one
4. Bend the plank at the score so it snaps along the line
5. Slice through any backing or underlayment that holds the two halves together

Use a fresh blade. A dull blade drags and leaves a ragged edge. Thicker rigid planks may take more passes, and some are better cut with a saw.

How to Cut Vinyl Plank Lengthwise

The last row often has to be ripped to a narrower width. Two reliable ways are:

• Scribe and cut: lay the plank over the last installed row, set a scrap plank against the wall as a guide, trace along it, and then cut along the line
• Table saw: best for thick rigid-core planks, using a fine-tooth blade and keeping the whole plank supported

Remember to leave the expansion gap at the wall that your manufacturer specifies, commonly 1/4 to 3/8 inch, and subtract it from the width you measure before you cut.

How to Cut Around Obstacles

• Door jambs: undercut the jamb with a jamb saw or oscillating tool so the plank slides underneath and no gap shows
• Pipes: drill a hole slightly larger than the pipe, then cut a line to the hole so the plank can slide into place, and cover the gap with a pipe collar
• Toilets and vents: make a paper or cardboard template of the shape, trace it onto the plank, and cut with a jigsaw
• Corners: measure each leg separately and test fit before the final cut

Blades and Safety

Vinyl wear layers are abrasive, so blades dull faster than you expect. Use a fine-tooth blade and replace it before the edge starts tearing.

• Cut with the decorative face up on a miter saw or table saw, and face down on a circular saw or jigsaw
• Wear safety glasses and hearing protection when using power tools
• Wear a dust mask when cutting indoors
• Always test on a scrap plank first

Common Cutting Mistakes

• Cutting through the wear layer in one pass instead of several
• Using a dull blade and tearing the edge
• Forgetting the expansion gap at the walls
• Skipping the test cut on a scrap
• Not supporting the plank fully on a power saw

Cutting for Stairs

The same methods apply to stair projects, with a few differences. Each tread and riser is a different size, so you need a template for each step. Stair nose is cut to length with a fine-tooth blade, and it is the one piece where a ragged edge shows. See the best cutting tools for LVP stair nosing and how to install LVP on stairs.

If your floor came from Home Depot, Lowe's, or Floor & Decor and you have five or more stairs, you can send the brand, color, and SKU through Find My Stair Match for a stair nose review. You never need to send in flooring or samples.