Circular saw blades come in many different types and sizes to suit different applications. Sizes range from 3" to 16", but 5 3/8" to 7 1/4" are the most common. Among the main types of blade are:

 

Steel blades. These are inexpensive and work well for cutting softwood. They are quickly dulled, however, by hardwood.

High-speed steel blades. These are harder than steel blades and stay sharper longer.

Carbide blades. These have carbide tips attached to their teeth. They are more expensive than other blades but stay sharp much longer – typically 20 times longer – than steel or high-speed steel.

Tile-cutting blades. These are specially designed for cutting ceramic tile. Better tile-cutting blades have diamond-tipped blades.

Masonry blades. These are made of abrasive material for cutting concrete, brick, cinder block, and other masonry materials.

 

Use this table to help select the blade you need.

 

Type	Features	Uses
Ripping	Have few teeth and a large gullet for good chip removal	Cutting with the wood grain
Crosscutting	Have many teeth (48 or more) and a small gullet for a smooth cut	Cutting across the wood grain
Combination	Usually have a series of four to five teeth similar to a crosscut divided by a large gullet	Cutting with or across the grain and miter cuts
Plywood	Usually made from high-strength steel with many fine teeth (100 or more)	Cutting plywood or other sheet goods
Hollow ground	Ground thinner in the body than the teeth to prevent binding	Making smooth cuts across the wood grain
Dado	Manufactured as stacked, one-piece or two-piece adjustable units	Cutting grooves and dados in dimensional lumber and sheet goods
Thin kerf	Have thin profiles for easier cutting and less material waste	Cutting dimensional or engineered lumber
Abrasive	Compatible with most circular saws of the same diameter as the blade	Cutting masonry, tile or steel
Diamond	Diamond-tipped blades	Cutting glass, concrete, or ceramic materials