How to Cut Flagstone

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Co-authored by Reese Baloutine (she/her)

Last Updated: April 27, 2025 References

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• Cutting flagstone into irregular shapes.
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• Cutting flagstone into regular shapes.
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• Cutting flagstone into accurate cuts.
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• Expert Interview
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• Tips
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• Warnings
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• Things You'll Need

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How you cut flagstone depends on the size and design in your project—you might chip it with a hammer and chisel, or you could cut it with a circular or wet saw. We'll help you figure out which technique is right for your project!

Steps

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Cutting flagstone into irregular shapes.

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1. 
   1
   Use a hammer and chisel to cut flagstone when accuracy of cut or straight lines are not important.

   • A hammer and chisel is best to cut or shape flagstone for small projects that do not require accurate cuts, such as a small garden path or a decorative step or bench top.
   • If you use a saw to cut every flagstone in the project, the cuts are going to look extremely clean, which might not be the desired result.
   • If you don't need a too exact cut, you can use the chisel end of a masonry hammer to score the flagstone instead of using a chisel and a hammer.
2. 
   2
   Set the flagstone on a solid surface.
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3. 
   3
   Measure and draw a line to cut.
4. 
   4
   Leave a distinct bold line, such as that provided by paver chalk or a piece of roofer's slate.

   • The measurement must allow for the space made by joint or mortar.
5. 
   5
   Hammer sharply, but not heavily, on the chisel as you move it along the drawn line in order to score the line.
6. 
   6
   Continue to score along the line with even pressure.

   • Allow time for this process, or you may crack or break the stone unintentionally.
7. 
   7
   Continue to tap the chisel with the hammer along the scored line until stone breaks along the scored line.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Cutting flagstone into regular shapes.

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1. 
   1
   Use a circular saw with masonry blade to make regular cuts in the same size for small projects, such as a fireplace hearth.
2. 
   2
   Clamp the flagstone firmly to a solid surface.
3. 
   3
   Measure and clearly draw the line to cut.
4. 
   4
   Begin to saw along the line.
5. 
   5
   Do not apply pressure to the saw; just allow the weight of the saw to score the stone.

   • The intent is not to saw through the flagstone; rather, the purpose is to create a significant score in the stone along which repeated blows with a hammer and chisel will break the stone.
6. 
   6
   Prop the stone that has been scored by the circular saw at an angle on a tool or brick along the bottom side of the flagstone parallel to the scored line.
7. 
   7
   Tap chisel with hammer sharply along the scored line until piece breaks away.
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Cutting flagstone into accurate cuts.

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1. 
   1
   Cut flagstone with a wet saw if you have a large job or a job that requires accurate cuts or design cuts, such as a patio floor, a pool deck, curves or edging where you want to repeat a color scheme.
2. 
   2
   Buy or rent a water-fed saw with a diamond edged blade.

   • Water is fed onto blade so it lubricates the cut and reduces the debris generated by the cut.
3. 
   3
   Read the assembly and usage directions carefully.
4. 
   4
   Measure and score the line desired.
5. 
   5
   Move the stone steadily along the line against the saw blade because on a wet saw the blade does not move.
6. 
   6
   Push the stone flat, steadily, and slowly through the blade until the cut is complete.
7. 
   7
   Clean and store tools.
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Tips

• A pitcher (chisel) distributes a hammer's pressure in several directions to cut at an angle.
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• A bolster (chisel) drives a hammer's pressure straight down to cut a straight line.
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• Masonry saws and wet saws can be rented.
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Warnings

• A circular saw is not recommended because of the high risk of injury; the added expense of the rental of a wet saw is preferable to the risk.
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• Flagstone is brittle and will easily send shards or fragments flying.
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• Purchase a masonry blade with professional input; a bargain here can put you at risk of injury.
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• Wear protective equipment, including ear plugs, heavy duty gloves, goggles, and a dust mask.
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Things You'll Need

• Safety equipment including dust mask, goggles, and gloves.
• Lump hammer, a heavy 2 headed hammer
• Bolster chisel, a broad chisel used for straight cuts
• Pitcher chisel, a thick chisel used for trimming edges
• Paver marker, a chalk used to draw lines
• Masonry blade for circular saw
• Wet saw