How to Cut a Watermelon into Classic Slices—Plus 3 Fun Cuts to Try

Skip the pre-cut watermelon at the grocery store and cut your melon yourself this summer.

Fresh watermelon is a sweet sign of summer, available year-round in the supermarket but at its prime from May through September. Since the rind can err on the thick and tough side, many retailers sell pre-cut watermelon. But once you master how to cut watermelon slices yourself, you’ll save money, be able to devour much fresher fruit (who knows how long that’s been on the shelf?!), and customize the shape of your cut. However you like your watermelon cut—whether it’s into slices, sticks, cubes, or balls—we can help you do it yourself.

Related: Fresh Watermelon Recipes to Satisfy Your Summer Cravings

Picking the Perfect Watermelon

Before we dive into all of your options for how to cut watermelon, here’s a quick refresher about how to pick one so you get ripe, juicy slices. Look for a watermelon that:

• is uniform in shape
• has a rind with a sheen
• feels heavy for its size
• includes a white or yellow field spot (a sign that the fruit has been on the ground in the field recently)
• sounds hollow and drum-like when you give the rind a sturdy pat or gentle knock

Before you start slicing, rinse and dry the skin under running water or use a clean, damp towel to wipe off any excess dirt. Then grab a sharp chef’s knife and a cutting board—it’s time to chop to it.

Related: The 10 Best Kitchen Knife Sets of 2024 for Home Cooks of All Skill Levels

How to Cut Watermelon Slices into Triangles (Wedges)

1. To create watermelon wedges or triangles, trim ½ inch or so off one of the watermelon ends so it sits flat on the cutting board.
2. Using a sharp chef’s knife, slice the watermelon in half.
3. Place the melon cut-side down on the cutting board, then use the knife to cut 1-inch thick slices (or your desired width). You should now have several half-moon-shaped pieces.
4. Stack 3 to 4 on top of each other, cut them in half, then in half again for smaller wedges.
5. Repeat to cut the whole melon into classic triangle slices.

How to Cut Watermelon into Sticks

1. To create watermelon sticks that are perfect for parties (that kids and kids at heart especially adore), trim ½ inch or so off one of the watermelon ends so it sits flat on the cutting board.
2. Using a sharp chef’s knife, slice the watermelon in half.
3. Place the melon cut-side down on the cutting board, then use the knife to cut 1-inch slices (or your desired width).
4. Turn the melon 90 degrees and slice perpendicular to the original cuts to create 1-inch sticks.

Related: The Smarter Way to Cut Watermelon to Make It Perfect for Summer Snacking

How to Cut Watermelon Slices into Cubes

Once you have sticks, you can easily transform them into cubes.

1. Follow all four steps above for cutting a watermelon into sticks.
2. To turn the sticks into cubes, simply cut across the strips to create cubes of watermelon in any size you desire.

How to Cut Watermelon into Melon Balls

1. To create watermelon balls, trim ½ inch or so off one of the watermelon ends so it sits flat on the cutting board.
2. Using a sharp chef’s knife, slice the watermelon in half.
3. Open the watermelon to separate the two halves, then cut each in half again.
4. Position the watermelon quarters so the flesh side faces up.
5. Using a melon-baller or small cookie scoop, press into the watermelon flesh and rotate the scoop to form a ball.
6. Repeat to create as many melon balls as are needed for your recipe or to use up all of the flesh.

Related: What Is Yellow Watermelon? Learn All About the Sweet Summer Fruit

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you store cut watermelon?

Transfer cut watermelon to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days (for best flavor). You can also freeze watermelon cubes to use later in Watermelon Margaritas, in spirit-free sips like smoothies or Watermelon-Cucumber-Lime Refresher, or as ice cube alternatives to infuse your H2O with a little extra flavor.

How long does a whole watermelon stay fresh?

An uncut watermelon lasts about 7 to 10 days at room temperature, according to the Watermelon Board. Since it’s tough to tell how long ago the melon was picked when you buy one from the store, it’s best to cut and consume the watermelon as soon as possible after bringing it home.

Is watermelon rind edible?

It sure is! You can, of course, compost it, but we love to make Watermelon Pickles using the rind. It is usually left behind, but the watermelon rind is entirely edible and tastes like a cucumber. (Watermelons and cucumbers are from the same plant family, called cucurbits.) Some people pickle the rinds, while others chop them for stir-fry.

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