How Deep Can a Circular Saw Cut – Beginner’s Guide

Deep can a Circular Saw Cut

If you own a circular saw and are confused about how deep it can cut, this guide can help you out immensely. 

It is important to understand that the depth of the cut could depend on the length of your blade and the size of your circular saw. 

We have compiled this complete article with everything you need to know and an extensive FAQ section for your assistance.

Quick Summary


This in-depth guide has complete information on: 

  • How deep a circular saw can cut depending on the blade or saw the size 
  • How deep a circular saw can cut at an angle depending on the blade and saw the size 
  • How to adjust the depth of a circular saw 
  • An extensive Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) section

How Deep Can I Cut with My Circular Saw? – Quick Guide 

Circular saws are known for their versatility and ease of use. However, we understand that it can be intimidating trying to understand how deep your circular saw can cut. 

In this section, we have mentioned how deep a particular circular saw can cut depending on the length of the blade. 

Without wasting any time, let’s get straight into it. 

10 Inch Circular Saw 

A 10-inch circular saw can cut up to 3-13/16 inches in depth. This is enough to cut a thick piece of wood. However, you should have a strong electric connection to make a cut this deep. 

8 ¼ inch Circular Saw 

After testing the blade out ourselves, we noted that you can cut approximately 2 ⅞ inches with an 8 ¼ inch circular saw. 

7 ¼ inch Circular Saw 

A standard 7 ¼ inch blade can cut an approximate depth of 2 ½ inches. If you use your circular saw at home, this length should be ideal for you. 

6 ½ inch Circular Saw

We noticed that you can cut approximately 2.5 inches of depth with a 6 ½ inch circular saw blade. 

5 ½ inch Circular Saw 

You can cut approximately 1-¾ inches in depth with a 5 ½ inch blade. 

Left Side Blade 

A left side blade can cut up to 1 ¾ inch in depth at a 90 degrees angle. Moreover, you will be able to cut 1-3/16 inches at a 45-degree angle. 

SUMMARY GUIDE

Circular Saw Blade Depth – Depending on the Angle
Size of the Saw

Blade Depth at 45 Degrees

Blade Depth at 90 Degrees

5 ½ Inches

1 3/16 Inches

1 ¾ Inch

6 ½ Inches

1 11/16 Inches

2 13/32 Inches

7 ½ Inches

1 13/16 Inches

2 ½ Inches

8 ¼ Inches

2 ¼ Inches

2 7/8 Inches

10 ¼ Inches

2 ¾ Inches

2 11/16 Inches

16 5/16 Inches

You can cut approximately 16 5/16 inches, including a 6x6 lumber.

Adjust the Depth of the Blade Cut 

Some particular circular saws allow you to adjust the depth of the blade. You can do this by moving the footplate or base shoe. 

The next step is to lower or raise the base shoe depending on your requirement. 

Remember to lock the blade in place once you’re done. 

deep a circular saw can cut

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How deep can I cut with a 10-inch circular saw? 

A 10-inch circular saw can cut approximately 2-13/16 inches. However, this could vary depending on the quality of the blade or the power of the circular saw blade. 

Can I cut a 4×4 with my circular saw? 

A circular saw has an approximately 6.5 inch to 7.25-inch blade, which means it will not be able to cut through a 4×4 properly. 

You can only cut a maximum depth of 2.5 inches. 

How much cut depth should I set for my circular saw?

The depth for your circular saw should be approximately ¼ or ½ inches below the board. This will help you make efficient cuts. 

How do I set the depth of my circular saw? 

Hold the blade of your saw parallel to the board with the help of a blade guard retracted. Then,