There are several good tool options for DIYers, including simple hand tools and basic power tools.

Choosing the best tool for your project depends on your situation.

In either case, be sure to use a diamond blade made for masonry and stone.

Person cutting a brick paver with a handheld saw

The Spruce / Jason Donnelly

you might also clamp the paver to your work surface if desired.

Transfer the line to the bottom face of the paver.

Set the Saw Blade

Place the paver onto a non-slip mat atop your work surface.

Materials needed for cutting pavers

The Spruce / Jason Donnelly

Adjust the saw blade to cut a shallow depth (1/8-1/4 inch), if using a circular saw.

Water sprays onto the blade during the cut to minimize heat and dust.

Turn on the Saw

Turn on the saw and let it come up to full speed.

Marking the cut on a paver with a straight edge

The Spruce / Jason Donnelly

Water should flow over the blade whenever the saw is running.

Push the sled slowly and steadily toward the blade until the blade cuts through the paver.

Brick splitters typically do not work with stone pavers.

Setting the circular saw blade

The Spruce / Jason Donnelly

Split the Paver

Pull down sharply on the handle of the tool to split the paver.

Transfer the line to the remaining three sides of the paver.

Do not strike too hard, or the paver may break irregularly.

Cutting the top side of the paver

The Spruce / Jason Donnelly

Break Along the Scored Line

Set the paver face-up on a flat, sturdy surface.

Position the chisel edge into the groove at the center of the paver face.

Hit the chisel sharply with the hammer to break the paver along the grooved line.

Cutting the bottom side of the paver

The Spruce / Jason Donnelly

Score the curved cut along the top of the paver first, cutting about 1/8 inch deep.

Finish with multiple cuts to pare down the remaining waste to the curved line.

Cover it with blue painter’s tape to prevent scratches and damage to the paver surface.

Using a hammer and chisel to break apart the paver

The Spruce / Jason Donnelly

This responsible approach will keep your tools in good condition and your projects looking professional.

Mark the location of the hole and drill downward on a flat surface.

Your hole is formed when the drill bit works its way through the bottom of the paver.

Marking the cut on the brick paver

The Spruce / Jason Donnelly

Circular saws and grinders are great for making quick cuts in concrete or brick pavers and natural stone.

It may be more labor-intensive to cut pavers without a wet saw and a little messier.

They also cut cleanly all the way through the paver.

Placing the paver below the masonry saw

The Spruce / Jason Donnelly

Be sure to double-check your measurements.

Crystalline Silica.National Cancer Institute.

Person turning on the masonry saw

The Spruce / Jason Donnelly

Marking where to cut the paver

The Spruce / Jason Donnelly

Retracting the masonry saw

The Spruce / Jason Donnelly

Marking cuts on the brick

The Spruce / Jason Donnelly

Aligning the paver on the brick splitter

The Spruce / Jason Donnelly

Splitting the brick

The Spruce / Jason Donnelly

Marking the paver before cutting

The Spruce / Jason Donnelly

Scoring the paver along the marked line

The Spruce / Jason Donnelly

Breaking the paver along the scored line

The Spruce / Jason Donnelly