Abstract: A template for cutting floor-covering tiles or the like. The template comprises a deformable frame having five flat strips which are fixed together end-to-end, said strips comprising: (a) a thrust strip (1) provided with a positioning abutment (10); (b) two side strips (2, 3) capable of sliding perpendicularly to the thrust strip (1); and (c) a set of two line-of-cut strips (4, 5) which are hinged to each other, and which are also hinged to the ends of the two side strips (2, 3) by means of shafts (21, 31) capable of longitudinal sliding relative thereon; locking members (15, 16) being provided to enable the set of strips (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) to be locked in any desired mutual position. This instrument is used for cutting peripheral tiles when laying a covering on a floor, a wall, or a ceiling. The invention is particularly applicable to carpet tiles.