When searching for a Cricut scoring wheel, you'll see three different tools: Cricut double scoring wheel, a single wheel, and a scoring stylus. While you can use any of these tools with your Maker 4, 3, or original machine, Digital Art Dreams would like to focus on how to score on Cricut with the wheel, not the stylus, this time, because wheels are only supported by the Maker family and cannot be used with Explore.
Read also: How to Use Cricut Scoring Stylus on Explore and Maker machines.
You can follow our tutorial below to use your Cricut scoring tool when creating pop-up cards and gift card holders designed by Digital Art Dreams. The scoring line will ease the folding of your cards and envelopes.
Cricut Scoring Wheel
Whether you buy an original Maker on sale in 2025 or go for the newest Maker 4 released in February 2025, neither machine arrives with a Cricut scoring tool (wheel or stylus). It is necessary to purchase it additionally, and wheels cost much more than styluses.
Cricut Scoring Stylus vs Wheel:
- Different prices (stylus is usually under $10, but can be found at $5 and even $4 on Amazon or Cricut website; single wheel #01 is approximately $17 to $30 (for a tip or a tip with a QuickSwapâ„¢ Housing); a set of double scoring wheel #02 and #01 with a QuickSwapâ„¢ Housing is $50, but you can search on eBay for better deals);
- Different "how to score on Cricut" instructions;
- Different score lines' depth and pressure;
- Stylus is supported by both Explore and Maker family;
- The scoring wheel is supported by Makers only, including the most recent Maker 4 and the previous 3.
The great news is that you only need one scoring wheel tip (or two, if you also wish to use the Cricut double scoring wheel) and one QuickSwapâ„¢ Housing to switch all tips you have that support the same accessory. You can use this wheel with any of your Maker machines, including Maker 4, 3, and the original.
After testing both the stylus and scoring blade Cricut designed for its machines, I can assure you that the wheel applies more pressure, making it much easier to fold your cardstock. There is no "bad score line" or "no score line" when you use a scoring wheel, which happens every time you insert the stylus incorrectly. So, let's learn how to score on Cricut with the wheel.
How to Load Scoring Wheel in Cricut Maker and Maker 4
Hobbyists familiar with the scoring stylus should learn how to install scoring wheel on Cricut Maker (3 or 4) because the process is different. The stylus is designed for Clamp A and can be used simultaneously with the blade installed in Clamp B, meaning you can score and cut your project within one "Go." The situation with using a Cricut scoring wheel is very different.
Here is the installation process for Cricut Maker scoring wheel:
Step 1. Ensure that your scoring wheel tip is inserted into the QuickSwapâ„¢ Housing.
Step 2. Open Clamp B and remove your current blade from Maker, Maker 4, or 3.
Step 3. Insert the QuickSwapâ„¢ Housing with the scoring wheel, and don't press the top button because the tip will pop right off. Keep your thumb away from this button. Close the Clamp B.
Step 4. Your Cricut scoring tool is ready to use.
Cricut Double Scoring Wheel
You might wonder why you need two scoring wheels when you wish to fold your cardstock projects and paper crafts.
The single one is designed for regular cardstock and paper, as it helps to create single creases that simplify the folding of the project.
Cricut double scoring wheel serves a different purpose. Firstly, it creates two parallel creases with one "Go." Secondly, it works well with heavy paper such as coated cardstock or other thick materials that require a double score for flawless folds.
Cricut Scoring Wheel Projects
The theory is excellent, but it's best when you can practice using the Cricut scoring wheel. See how it works and learn how to switch the wheel with the blade in Clamp B to successfully finish your "cut" and "score" crafts.
Digital Art Dreams will outline the steps of "attaching" your scoring line to the "cut" and then switching between the Cricut scoring wheel and blade to finish your project smoothly. We'll use this cute Daffodils Gift Card Holder SVG design as the basis, but you can repeat the main steps working on any other project because "basics" is what matters:
Step 1. Launch Design Space (special Cricut app that "connects" your design ideas with the Maker family machines).
Step 2. Before you can start your project, it is essential to "Attach" all your scoring lines to their cut basis. For example, in our Daffodils Gift Card Holder design, you should select the scoring lines and a pocket template you'll cut and click "Attach" to ensure the machine will add folding creases exactly where they are designed to be before cutting a holder for your gift card.
Step 3. Double check that your mat looks precisely like you want it to (the scoring line and the cut line match your design idea).
Step 4. Now you can click "Make" (if you own several machines, select the name of the one you are using for your project beforehand) and follow the screen prompts to choose your mat size and cardstock settings.
Step 5. Since you need to score, Cricut will offer to load your single scoring wheel #01 in Clamp B. Follow our instructions above and replace your blade with the wheel.
Step 6. When asked, press the "Double-arrow" key to load your mat.
Step 7. Press the "Go" button to let the Cricut scoring wheel create a crease on your cardstock. The pressure is perfect, and your crease will be beautiful and easy to fold.
Step 8. Do not remove the mat. Touch no Cricut buttons. Instead, carefully, with your mat still loaded, open Clamp B, remove the scoring tool, and replace it with the Fine-Point Blade.
Now press "Go" again and let your Maker 4, 3, or original machine cut your cardstock that already has scoring lines on it.
Step 9. When done and asked by Design Space, unload your mat and remove the project.
Step 10. If you scored and cut our gift card holder design, you can now fold the creases and glue the pocket.
Once you order and download the Daffodils Gift Card Holder SVG file, you'll find detailed PDF instructions that explain how to recreate this gift card holder step-by-step, choosing different cardstock colors, shading the flower petals, and assembling everything. The final product looks beautiful:
It's perfect when you can compare Cricut scoring stylus vs wheel for yourself to understand which tool works best for you. I like using the stylus on my Explore Air 2 and Explore 3, but I find the Cricut scoring wheel doing real magic on my Maker and Maker 4.
The choice is always yours!