How Thick Can Bolt Cutters Cut Through? Capacity by Metal Hardness

Most bolt cutters in our lineup cut soft steel from about 8 mm up to 13 mm thick, but hardened steel cuts much thinner, from roughly 5 mm to 10 mm. The number that matters is the hard metal figure, because rebar, bolts and padlock shackles are all harder than mild stock. Always check the capacity rating against the hardness of what you plan to cut.

The short version: capacity depends on hardness

Every bolt cutter has two numbers that matter. One is the thickest soft metal it can cut. The other is the thickest hard metal it can cut. The gap between them is large, so a tool that cuts 13 mm soft steel may handle only 10 mm of harder steel.

Hardness is usually shown on the Rockwell C scale, written as HRC. A lower HRC number means softer metal. Makers often list capacity at a stated hardness, such as 42 HRC for hard bolts or 25 HRC for softer rod. If a listing gives only one thickness with no hardness, treat it as the soft figure.

What the published specs show

We compare published specifications for seven products on our best bolt cutter page. Across them, the soft metal capacity runs from 7.9 mm to 13 mm. The hard metal capacity runs from 4.76 mm to 10 mm.

The 30 in Spendins cutter has the highest figures, at 13 mm for 25 HRC material and 10 mm for 42 HRC material. The 14 in Klein Tools cutter lists 7.9 mm soft and 4.8 mm hard. The 14 in cutter in the Rizom set lists 4.76 mm hard, which is the lowest hard figure in the group.

Cutter	Length	Soft metal capacity	Hard metal capacity
Spendins 30 in	30 in	13 mm	10 mm
Steelman 24 in folding	25.75 in	Not listed	9.5 mm
WORKPRO 24 in chrome vanadium	24 in	11 mm	8 mm
RIDGID S24	24 in	11 mm	7.9 mm
WORKPRO 24 in	24 in	10 mm	8 mm
Klein Tools 14 in	14 in	7.9 mm	4.8 mm
Rizom 14 in (3-piece set)	Not listed	7.94 mm	4.76 mm

What bolt cutters can cut

Within their ratings, bolt cutters are built for solid metal that is too thick for pliers or snips. The product listings name these common jobs:

Bolts, screws and rivets
Metal rods and wire
Chain links
Fence wire and mesh
Padlock shackles, but only on models rated for padlocks
Rebar, but only within the hard metal rating

Can you cut rebar with bolt cutters?

Sometimes. Common small rebar is 3/8 inch, which is about 9.5 mm. That sits close to the hard metal limit of the strongest cutters on our page, so a 14 in cutter will not do it, and a 24 in cutter with an 8 mm hard rating is under its size.

The Spendins lists rebar among its uses and rates 10 mm at 42 HRC. The Steelman lists 9.5 mm for hard bolts up to 42 HRC. Rebar hardness varies, so a cutter near its limit may need several tries or may only dent the bar. Thicker bar, such as 1/2 inch (about 12.7 mm), is beyond every hard metal figure in our lineup. For that, use a different tool.

Cut small, soft rebar first to see how the cutter responds. Cut near the back of the jaws, where leverage is greatest.

What bolt cutters cannot cut

Any metal thicker or harder than the rating is a risk to the tool, not just a difficult cut. Forcing it can chip the blades or spring the jaws.

Skip these jobs with a bolt cutter:

Hardened security chain, such as thick motorcycle chain, which can exceed the cutter's hardness limit and blunt the jaws
Case hardened padlock shackles when the cutter has no padlock rating or its blades are softer than the shackle
Thick rebar or rod above the hard metal figure
Anything on a cutter whose maker says it is not for locks, like the Rizom 8 in mini cutter
Wire under tension or any live electrical cable

How to match a cutter to the job

Start with the thickest and hardest thing you expect to cut. Then pick a cutter whose hard metal figure is at or above that thickness, with some room to spare. Our buying guide on the best bolt cutter page explains the same rule: capacity falls as steel gets harder.

Handle length matters because longer handles give more leverage. The 30 in Spendins weighs 8 lb. The 24 in WORKPRO weighs 5.7 lb and the RIDGID weighs 5.95 lb. The Steelman is the heaviest listed at 8.2 lb but folds to 13.5 in for storage. A shorter, lighter cutter is easier to carry but gives up capacity.

For padlock work, look for a padlock rating and stated blade hardness. Only two products here list hardness: the Spendins at 62 HRC and the Rizom at 65 HRC.

Safety notes

Cut metal can fly off at speed, so wear safety glasses or goggles every time. Work gloves protect your hands from pinching and sharp ends. The Spendins includes a pair of gloves.

Never cut live electrical wires or anything that might be energized. Insulated looking grips are not a voltage rating unless the maker states one. Cutting a wire under tension can cause it to whip back.

Do not extend the handles with a pipe to cut something above the rating. Brace the work so it cannot slip, and keep your footing stable. Avoid overhead cuts from a ladder, since a sudden release can throw you off balance.

Frequently asked questions

Can bolt cutters cut stainless steel?

Some can, within the hard metal rating. The RIDGID listing names stainless steel as a material it cuts. Stainless can be tough, so use the hard capacity figure.

Do longer bolt cutters cut thicker metal?

Usually yes, because longer handles add leverage. In our lineup the 30 in model has the highest capacity. Still, jaw hardness and design affect the rating, so read the listed figures.

What does center cut mean?

A center cut jaw has the blade edges meeting in the middle, so the cut is made evenly from both sides. The RIDGID and Klein Tools cutters list center cut jaws.

Is a mini bolt cutter strong enough for locks?

Not usually. Rizom says its 8 in mini cutter is not recommended for locks, and it lists only 3.5 mm capacity at HRC 15 or below.