For a clean power-saw cut in vinyl plank flooring, choose a fine-tooth blade that fits your saw and the flooring maker’s instructions. An 80-tooth-or-higher laminate blade is a reasonable starting recommendation for circular-saw work; a flooring guide recommends 80-tooth-or-higher carbide for miter-saw crosscuts. Neither figure is a proven universal optimum. For curves and notches, use a fine-tooth jigsaw blade. For a simple straight cut, scoring and snapping may avoid the saw altogether.
Choose the cutting method before the blade
Vinyl plank cuts vary: a short crosscut, a long rip, and a curved notch do not call for the same tool. First check the installation instructions for your specific flooring product. The Home Depot’s How to Install Vinyl Plank Flooring guide says, “Always refer to individual manufacturer instructions for specific installation directions.” Accepted methods can vary by product: Clever Choice, for example, lists several methods for its own hybrid and vinyl boards.
| Cut or task | Practical method | Blade guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Short, straight crosscut | Score and snap with a sharp utility knife and straightedge, if the flooring instructions allow it. A manual flooring cutter is another option. | No saw blade required. |
| Straight crosscut with a circular or miter saw | Use a compatible saw, and secure and support the plank. | Fine-tooth blade. Furman Flooring recommends an 80-tooth-or-higher laminate blade for circular-saw cuts; D and G Flooring recommends 80-tooth-or-higher carbide for miter-saw crosscuts. |
| Long rip | A table saw may suit a long cut if the product permits sawing. | D and G Flooring recommends an 80-tooth plywood or melamine blade for table-saw rips. This is tool-specific guidance, not a general rule for other saws. |
| Curves, holes, notches, or irregular edges | Use a jigsaw; clamp the plank and keep the saw shoe flat. | Use a fine-tooth jigsaw blade. Furman Flooring also discusses down-cut blades to reduce chipping on the top side. |
The recommendations above come from installation guides, not controlled comparisons measuring chip-out or cut quality. Treat the tooth counts as starting points, not guarantees. Before buying a blade, match its diameter, arbor, and other requirements to your saw manufacturer’s specifications.
How to make a straight cut
- Check the flooring directions. Confirm that the product permits your chosen method and note any product-specific cutting instructions.
- Mark the cut. Use a straightedge to guide the mark. For a simple straight cut that can be scored and snapped, use a sharp utility knife and follow the flooring instructions.
- Set up the saw only if needed. Select a compatible fine-tooth blade for the saw and cut, then secure and support the plank so it cannot shift during cutting.
- Make the cut and check the fit. Test-fit the piece before installing it.
How to cut curves and notches
- Mark the shape and identify a suitable starting point, such as a pilot hole or an opening from an edge, as the cut requires.
- Clamp the plank securely on a stable work surface.
- Fit a fine-tooth jigsaw blade compatible with the saw, then keep the shoe flat against the plank as you cut.
- Test-fit the piece before installation and adjust only as needed.
The Tile Shop recommends work gloves and safety glasses for cutting, plus a dust mask when using a jigsaw. Follow the saw maker’s safety instructions as well.
The Tool Desk
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- Featuring a 10-inch diameter (254 mm), a 5/8-inch arbor (15.88 mm) and a rating of up to 6000 RPM
- Perfect for slicing through both hard and softwoods of all kinds
- Ultra-thin 1/10-inch kerf (2.4 mm) provides clean and efficient cuts
- Designed with 80 carbide-tipped teeth for ultra-fine finish wood cutting
- Compatible with the majority of 10-inch miter saws, jobsite saws, and table saws
Why face-side orientation is not one-size-fits-all
Guidance on which side of the plank should face up varies by tool and method. Furman Flooring advises face side up for circular-saw work; D and G Flooring advises face up for miter-saw crosscuts but face down for its jigsaw method. Do not turn either guide’s advice into a rule for every saw. Follow the instructions for your exact flooring and tool.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Featuring a 7-1/4-inch diameter (184 mm), a 5/8-inch arbor (15.88 mm) and a rating of up to 7000 RPM
- Perfect for slicing through fiber cement board and laminate flooring
- Ultra-thin 1/15-inch kerf (1.8 mm) provides clean and efficient cuts
- Designed with 4 polycrystalline diamond-tipped teeth to prevent wear and tear
- Compatible with the majority of 7-1/4-inch circular saws, tile saws, and track saws
Rank #4
- THIN KERF—Gets your saw blade spinning faster, easier for optimal performance with either cordless or corded circular saws
- ANTI-KICKBACK SHOULDERS—Ensure straight, accurate cuts without the worry of unexpected kickback
- EXPANSION SLOTS—Reduce vibration and ensure the blade runs straight and true
- ATB CARBIDE TEETH—Durable induction-hardened alternating top bevel carbide teeth are designed to stay sharp and prolong the life of your circular saw blade's cutting edge
- CLEAR, ANTI-STICK COATING—Reduces friction and heat with less bogging down for longer, cleaner cuts, and extends blade life by preventing rust and oxidization
Rank #3
- 10 Inch 80-Tooth Ultra Finish Miter / Table Saw Blade, 0.098" Kerf, Wood Cutting with 5/8" Arbor, ATB
- The blades with high-quality thin kerf and plate for fast, durable, smooth cutting, less vibration and noise, and excellent finish
- Made from high-density tungsten carbide for toughness, wear-resistance, and long life
- Compatible with DeWalt, Skil, Metabo, Makita 10 Inch Miter Saws, Table Saws and other Saws
- Ideal for crosscutting oak, pine, melamine, plywood, and moulding.
Rank #2
- 7-1/4 inch circular saw blade 140 teeth with 5/8 inch Arbor diamond knockout and 0.086" kerf - 3 Pack
- Fast and smooth cutting Plywood, OSB, Plastic, Paneling and Vinyl Siding,Laminate Saw Blades
- No more splinters cut smooth miter edges and cross cuts in plywood paneling composition board and veneers
- Made of high-quality steel for extended life, Ideal for DIYers or remodelers.
- Expansion slots work to reduce heat build-up and eliminate warping.
Sources for the tool-specific recommendations
- The Tile Shop’s guide to cutting vinyl plank flooring covers score-and-snap, irregular cuts, jigsaws, and protective equipment.
- The Home Depot’s installation guide discusses cutting methods and directs readers to the flooring maker’s instructions.
- Furman Flooring’s April 14, 2025 guide recommends an 80-tooth-or-higher laminate blade for circular-saw cuts and discusses jigsaw blades.
- D and G Flooring’s April 20, 2026 guide distinguishes its blade recommendations for miter-saw crosscuts, jigsaw cuts, and table-saw rips.
- Clever Choice’s installation instructions list cutting options for its own hybrid and vinyl boards; those directions should not be assumed to apply to other products.
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