Glass & Tile Drill Bits

Glass and tile drill bits use a hard tungsten carbide tip to bore clean holes through glass, ceramic tile, mirror and porcelain, where an ordinary drill bit would skid or crack the surface. This guide covers how to use them without breaking the material.

What they drill — The carbide spear tip is ground to score and cut hard, brittle surfaces, making these the bits for wall and floor tiles, glass, mirrors and ceramics. They are the tool for running plumbing, fixings and fittings through a tiled or glazed surface.

How to drill without cracking — Technique matters more here than with any other bit. Use a normal rotary drill with the hammer action switched off, run at a low speed with light, steady pressure, and let the tip do the work rather than forcing it. Keep the tip cool with water or cutting fluid, as heat is what cracks tiles and blunts the bit. Starting at a slight angle then bringing the drill upright, or using masking tape over the spot, helps stop the tip wandering on a smooth glaze.

Choosing a size — Match the bit to the hole your fixing, plug or pipe needs. Order the individual sizes you use most or a set to cover common jobs.

For masonry behind the tile see our SDS Drill Bits collection, and for metal see HSS Drill Bits.

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