How to Cut Styrofoam

Use a waxed serrated knife, saw, floral knife or other craft knife to cut Styrofoam sheets and shapes. Draw the knife's blade over a plain candle to wax it thoroughly and then cut Styrofoam with long, sawlike motions.

Score a Styrofoam sheet along the desired cutting line. Use a butter knife, credit card or any thin, sharp-edged item to make cuts at intervals along the cutting line. Penetrate the entire thickness of the foam. Gently break the sheet over a countertop or table and use a knife to cut off any excess foam.

Invest in a hot-wire Styrofoam cutter if you work with Styrofoam on a regular basis. These are devices that use a heated wire to slice through the Styrofoam. Detailed shapes can be cut easily with these tools.

Cut Styrofoam for small craft projects with an inexpensive ($50) cutter. This type is ideal for home crafting and is available at both online and local craft stores.

Consider a larger, more durable Styrofoam cutter if you do a lot of projects that involve large amounts of Styrofoam. These are more expensive than the smaller, craft model but are well worth the price if you use it on a regular basis. This tool starts at approximately $200.