The best glue for pottery depends on the break. For a handle, a rim piece or a pot in two or three pieces, a clear two-part epoxy is the strongest everyday choice: J-B Weld ClearWeld lists 3,900 psi and Loctite's 5 minute epoxy lists 2,500 psi. For small, clean chips where the pieces fit tightly, a gel cyanoacrylate (super glue) is faster. For planters that live outdoors, a flexible adhesive copes better with water and frost. And for missing crumbs, you need a filler, not more glue.
One rule covers all of them: none of the makers below labels its glue for food contact, and Gorilla and E6000 say plainly that theirs is not for it. A glued mug or bowl becomes a pen pot, planter or shelf piece. This guide is research-based: we compared maker product pages and technical data sheets, not our own repairs. Specs checked October 2026.
Pottery glue picks at a glance
- Best overall: J-B Weld ClearWeld 5 Minute Syringe (clear, 3,900 psi per J-B Weld)
- Best easy-to-find epoxy: Loctite Epoxy Instant Mix 5 Minute (24 hour full cure, 2,500 psi)
- Best super glue for chips: Gorilla Super Glue Gel (10 to 45 second set, -65 to 220°F service range)
- Best precision super glue: Loctite Super Glue Ultra Gel Control (control bottle, ceramic and china)
- Best for outdoor planters: E6000 Craft Adhesive (flexible, submersible after full cure)
- Best near-invisible repair on porcelain: Hxtal NYL-1 (slow, thin, clear conservation epoxy)
- Best filler for missing pieces: Milliput Superfine White (epoxy putty made for porcelain and ceramic restoration)
Pottery glue comparison table
| Glue | Type | Set / full cure (maker) | Strength or heat (maker) | Food contact (maker) | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| J-B Weld ClearWeld | Two-part epoxy | 5 min / 1 hour | 3,900 psi; heat not published | Not addressed on product page | Check price |
| Loctite Epoxy 5 Minute | Two-part epoxy | 5 to 7 min gel / 24 hours | 2,500 psi; -9 to 120°F | Not addressed; not for potable water | Check price |
| Gorilla Super Glue Gel | Cyanoacrylate gel | 10 to 45 sec | -65 to 220°F | Not for direct or indirect food contact | Check price |
| Loctite Ultra Gel Control | Cyanoacrylate gel | 15 to 30 sec hold / 12 to 24 hours | Range not published | No statement; no dishwasher, oven or microwave | Check price |
| E6000 Craft | Flexible adhesive | 24 to 72 hours | -40 to 150°F | Not for food, drinking water or animals | Check price |
| Hxtal NYL-1 | Conservation epoxy | About 7 days at 75°F | Softens around 118 to 131°F (CAMEO) | Not addressed | Check price |
| Milliput Superfine White | Epoxy putty filler | Not published | "Heat resistant," no figure | Not addressed | Check price |
Epoxy or super glue?
Two-part epoxy is a resin and hardener you mix. It fills small gaps, bonds porous and glazed surfaces, and suits anything that carries weight, like a handle. Super glue (cyanoacrylate) bonds in seconds but needs a tight fit, so it suits small chips and thin porcelain. A flexible adhesive like E6000 stays slightly rubbery, which helps where a pot gets wet or frozen. Epoxy putty rebuilds what is missing.
1. J-B Weld ClearWeld: best overall glue for pottery
ClearWeld is a clear two-part epoxy in a dual syringe, which makes measuring the two parts simple for small repairs. J-B Weld's product page lists ceramic among the materials it is made for and gives a tensile strength of 3,900 psi, the highest of the epoxies we compared. It sets in 5 minutes and cures in 1 hour, according to J-B Weld, and the maker notes that set time is longer below 40°F.
The clarity matters on pottery. J-B Weld says ClearWeld cures to a clear, transparent bond when the glue line is thinner than 15 mil, so a well-fitted break shows as a fine line rather than a yellow seam. Five minutes of working time is enough to join two or three pieces, but not a jigsaw of shards: for those, glue in stages. The product page we checked does not publish a temperature limit or any food-contact statement, so keep repaired pieces away from hot water, ovens and food.
- Type: two-part epoxy, dual syringe (SKU 50112)
- Set / cure: 5 minutes / 1 hour (J-B Weld)
- Strength: 3,900 psi tensile
- Finish: clear under 15 mil thickness
- Heat limit and food contact: not published by the maker on the product page
- Price band: roughly $6 to $12 per syringe at US stores in October 2026; check the live price
Pros
- Highest listed strength here
- Clear line
- Syringe mixes equal parts
Cons
- No published heat limit
- 5 minute set is short for complex breaks
Who should skip it: Restorers who want a slow, very thin glue for fine porcelain; Hxtal suits that better.
2. Loctite Epoxy Instant Mix 5 Minute: best easy-to-find epoxy
Loctite's Instant Mix 5 Minute is in most US hardware stores and mixes as you dispense, so there is no stirring on a scrap card. Loctite's technical data sheet lists ceramic, china and tile among suitable materials, a tensile strength of 2,500 psi after a 24 hour cure, and a service temperature of -9°F to 120°F (-23°C to 49°C). That upper limit is low: hot tap water can exceed it, which is a good reason not to wash mended pieces in hot water.
The data sheet gives a gel time of 5 to 7 minutes and usable strength in 20 minutes; Loctite's product page says handling strength comes in 1 hour. We would wait the full 24 hours before using the piece. It dries translucent yellow, so it suits darker or busy glazes better than white porcelain. Loctite calls it water resistant but says it is not for continuous immersion or potable water systems, and neither the page nor the data sheet makes a food-contact claim.
- Type: two-part epoxy, self-mixing syringe, 0.47 oz
- Gel / full cure: 5 to 7 minutes / 24 hours (data sheet)
- Strength: 2,500 psi
- Service temperature: -9°F to 120°F (-23°C to 49°C)
- Finish: translucent yellow
- Price band: roughly $5 to $10 per syringe in October 2026; check the live price
Pros
- Sold almost everywhere
- No hand mixing
- Ceramic and china listed by the maker
Cons
- Low 120°F upper limit
- Yellowish line
- Not for continuous water
Who should skip it: Anyone mending white porcelain where a clear line matters, or a vase that will hold water all the time.
3. Gorilla Super Glue Gel: best super glue for chips
For a chip off a rim or a broken figurine ear that fits back tightly, a gel super glue is quicker than mixing epoxy. Gorilla's gel is thick enough not to run down a vertical break, and Gorilla lists ceramic among its materials. It sets in 10 to 45 seconds with no clamping, according to the maker, and Gorilla gives a service temperature of -65°F to 220°F (-54°C to 104°C), much wider than the 5 minute epoxies here.
Gorilla is direct about food: its FAQ says Gorilla Super Glue is not intended for any application with direct or indirect food contact, and that it should not be stored near food. It also recommends it mainly for indoor use. Super glue does not fill gaps, so it fails on breaks with missing crumbs or on rough earthenware edges that do not meet closely. Use acetone or isopropyl alcohol on a towel to lift uncured squeeze-out, as Gorilla suggests, testing on a hidden spot first.
- Type: cyanoacrylate gel
- Set: 10 to 45 seconds, no clamping
- Service temperature: -65°F to 220°F (-54°C to 104°C)
- Sizes: 3 g, 15 g, 20 g, 25 g
- Food contact: not intended for direct or indirect food contact (Gorilla)
- Price band: roughly $5 to $12 depending on size in October 2026; check the live price
Pros
- Fast
- Gel stays put
- Wide temperature range
Cons
- No gap filling
- Maker rules out food contact
- Mainly indoor
Who should skip it: Anyone gluing a handle that carries weight or a break with missing pieces.
4. Loctite Super Glue Ultra Gel Control: best precision super glue
Loctite's Ultra Gel Control comes in a squeeze bottle with side grips that meter out small drops, which helps on thin porcelain and small decorative pieces. Loctite lists ceramic and china among its materials and says it resists water, impact and temperature extremes, without publishing a temperature range. You hold the parts together for 15 to 30 seconds, and the maker gives a full cure of 12 to 24 hours.
Read the exclusions: Loctite says it is not recommended for pure bone china or glass, even though china appears on its materials list. That is a source conflict on one page, so test on an inside edge before gluing a fine bone china cup. The US product page also says do not use it in the dishwasher, oven or microwave. Note that Loctite's Australian pottery guide calls its Super Glue Control liquid "dishwasher safe"; that is a different product in a different market, and the US label on the bottle you buy is the one to follow.
- Type: cyanoacrylate gel, control bottle, 0.14 oz or 0.18 oz
- Hold / full cure: 15 to 30 seconds / 12 to 24 hours
- Materials: ceramic and china; not pure bone china or glass (Loctite)
- Care: not for dishwasher, oven or microwave (Loctite US)
- Price band: roughly $4 to $8 per bottle in October 2026; check the live price
Pros
- Very controllable drops
- Widely sold
- Clear
Cons
- Bone china excluded
- No published temperature range
- No gap filling
Who should skip it: Owners of bone china, and anyone fixing a functional piece that will be washed hot.
5. E6000 Craft Adhesive: best for outdoor planters
E6000 is a thick, clear adhesive that stays slightly flexible when cured, which makes it a good match for terracotta planters, garden pots and mosaic pieces that live outside. Eclectic Products' technical data sheet lists ceramics, glass and masonry among the surfaces it adheres to and says it can be submerged in fresh and salt water after a complete cure. The service range is -40°F to 150°F (-40°C to 66°C).
It is slow: the data sheet gives a full cure of 24 hours for a thin film and 48 to 72 hours for a thick one, and it should be applied between 50°F and 90°F (10°C and 32°C). Tape or prop the pieces while it cures. It is also the clearest on food: Eclectic says E6000 is not recommended for any items that come into contact with food, drinking water or animals, so it is not for bird baths or pet bowls either. Use it in a ventilated space, since the uncured glue has strong fumes.
- Type: flexible craft adhesive
- Full cure: 24 hours thin film, 48 to 72 hours thick film
- Service temperature: -40°F to 150°F (-40°C to 66°C)
- Water: can be submerged after full cure (Eclectic)
- Food contact: not for food, drinking water or animals (Eclectic)
- Price band: roughly $5 to $12 per tube in October 2026; check the live price
Pros
- Flexible, water-resistant bond
- Good on porous terracotta
- Clear
Cons
- Slow cure
- Strong fumes
- Thick glue line on fine breaks
Who should skip it: Anyone after a near-invisible line on porcelain or a rigid, load-bearing handle repair.
6. Hxtal NYL-1: best near-invisible repair on porcelain
Hxtal NYL-1 is the epoxy conservators use for glass and china, and it works in a completely different way from hardware-store epoxy. It is very thin, which lets it wick into a tight break and leave an almost invisible line. Conservation Resources says to weigh it at 3 parts A to 1 part B, that it may need to stand a few hours after mixing before use on china, and that it takes 7 days at 75°F to fully cure, although the joint holds after 24 to 48 hours if no pressure is applied.
The trade-offs are time and cost: a 114 g kit sells for several times the price of a syringe epoxy, and you need a gram scale. There is a source conflict on aging. Conservation Resources says it will not yellow with time or sunlight, while the Museum of Fine Arts Boston CAMEO database says it may yellow slowly with age and may discolor in direct sunlight. CAMEO also lists a glass transition temperature of 48 to 55°C (118 to 131°F), the point where it softens, so a piece mended with Hxtal must never go near hot water. Neither source discusses food contact.
- Type: low-viscosity conservation epoxy
- Mix: 3:1 by weight (Conservation Resources)
- Cure: about 7 days at 75°F; CAMEO gives 1 week at 68°F (20°C) or 2 days at 95°F (35°C)
- Softening point: 118 to 131°F (48 to 55°C), CAMEO
- Price band: roughly $75 to $95 for the 114 g kit in October 2026; check the live price
Pros
- Thin, clear, near-invisible glue line
- Trusted for china restoration
Cons
- A week to cure
- Needs a scale
- Low softening point
- Expensive
Who should skip it: Anyone fixing an everyday pot quickly, or a garden planter.
7. Milliput Superfine White: best filler for missing pieces
When a rim chip has gone missing or the break has crumbled, glue alone leaves a gap. Milliput Superfine White is a two-part epoxy putty that Milliput says is specially formulated for the restoration of porcelain and ceramics where a fine finish is desired. You mix equal parts for at least five minutes, press it into the gap, and shape it before it hardens. The pack holds 113.4 g (4 oz).
Milliput describes its putties as non-shrinking, water, heat and chemical resistant, and able to set underwater, but it does not publish cure times or a temperature figure on the pages we checked. A wet finger or tool smooths the surface before it sets, and once hard it can be filed and sanded with a dust mask on. For colored glazes, paint the cured fill with acrylic to blend it. Glue loose pieces first, then fill.
- Type: two-part epoxy putty
- Mix: equal parts, at least 5 minutes
- Pack: 113.4 g (4 oz)
- Cure time and heat limit: not published by the maker
- Price band: roughly $8 to $15 per pack in October 2026; check the live price
Pros
- Made for ceramic restoration
- Fine finish
- Non-shrinking
Cons
- No published cure or heat figures
- Needs painting to match colored glazes
Who should skip it: Anyone with a clean two-piece break; glue alone is enough.
How to choose glue for pottery
Clean break or missing pieces
If every piece is there and the edges meet tightly, pick a clear epoxy or, for small chips, super glue. If crumbs are missing, glue what you have with epoxy, then fill with epoxy putty. Super glue alone will not bridge a gap.
Porous or vitrified clay
Earthenware and terracotta are porous and soak up thin glue, which can starve the joint and leave a dark halo. Epoxy or a thick adhesive like E6000 works better on them. Porcelain and well-fired stoneware are dense, so thin glues such as Hxtal or super glue can wick into a tight break.
Indoors, outdoors or planter
Outdoor pots face rain, frost and sun. A flexible, water-resistant adhesive such as E6000 copes with movement. Rigid 5 minute epoxies are rated water resistant, not for constant immersion, so a vase that holds water all the time is a poor candidate for any glue.
Mugs, plates and anything for food
No glue maker on this page labels its product for food contact. Gorilla and E6000 rule it out, Loctite does not address it, and a crack leaves a seam where liquid and bacteria can sit. If you want to keep using a mended mug, move it to pens, brushes or a dry plant. For the glaze side of food safety, see our planned guide to food safe glaze.
Heat, dishwasher and microwave
Maker heat limits run from 120°F for Loctite's 5 minute epoxy to 220°F for Gorilla's gel. Dishwashers and hot coffee can exceed the lower figures, and a microwave or oven goes far beyond all of them. Loctite's US gel label says no dishwasher, oven or microwave. Hand wash mended pieces in lukewarm water, or not at all.
Clear, colored or gold
Clear epoxy hides a fine line on most glazes. Yellowish epoxies show on white porcelain. If you would rather celebrate the crack, gold-line repair is a craft of its own: our kintsugi guide covers epoxy and urushi kits.
How to glue broken pottery, step by step
- Collect every piece, wash the break edges in warm soapy water, and let them dry fully (a day for porous earthenware).
- Dry fit the pieces without glue and plan the order. On multi-piece breaks, glue in stages so no piece gets locked out.
- Wipe the edges with isopropyl alcohol to remove grease. Put on nitrile gloves.
- Mix the epoxy as the maker directs, or open the super glue, and apply a thin, even film to one edge only.
- Press the pieces together, check the alignment with a fingertip across the join, and hold or tape them with masking tape. A tray of sand or rice props awkward shapes.
- Scrape off squeeze-out with a razor blade once it turns rubbery, or wipe uncured super glue with a little acetone, testing first.
- Leave it for the maker's full cure time before handling, then fill any gaps with putty and sand the fill smooth with the dust kept down.
Repairs glue cannot fix
Glue is for fired pots only. Greenware that cracks while drying is joined with slip, as in scoring and slip, and a crack found on bisque before the glaze firing calls for a kiln-safe product such as AMACO Bisque Fix, not glue. Never put a glued pot back in the kiln: every adhesive here burns off long before glaze melts, and the fumes are harmful. A pot that cracked right through in the glaze firing, or one with crazing that leaks, will not become sound with glue; see our planned page on glaze crazing for why. Glued pots are for display, not for the oven, microwave or dinner table.
Common mistakes
- Gluing dirty or damp edges, so the bond fails within weeks.
- Using super glue on a heavy handle; it is too brittle and does not fill gaps.
- Moving the piece before the full cure, especially with slow epoxies.
- Washing a mended mug in hot water or the dishwasher, past the glue's heat limit.
- Drinking from a glued cup because the glue "looks sealed."
Safety notes
Work in a ventilated room and follow each maker's label and Safety Data Sheet. Wear nitrile gloves: epoxy can irritate skin, and super glue bonds skin in seconds (Gorilla advises warm soapy water and patience, never pulling skin apart). Keep glues away from children and food areas. When sanding cured filler or old glaze edges, wet the surface and wear a NIOSH-approved respirator, because ceramic dust contains silica. We cannot tell you a repaired pot is food safe, and no glue maker here makes that claim.
Sources: J-B Weld ClearWeld Syringe product page (jbweld.com); Loctite Epoxy Instant Mix 5 Minute product page and Henkel technical data sheet; Loctite Super Glue Ultra Gel Control product page (loctiteproducts.com); Loctite Australia, "Pottery glue: the answer to broken ceramic items"; Gorilla Super Glue Gel product page and FAQ (gorillatough.com); Eclectic Products E6000 Craft Adhesive technical data sheet; Conservation Resources Hxtal NYL-1 listing; MFA Boston CAMEO entry for Hxtal NYL-1; Milliput Superfine White and product overview pages (milliput.com); Hunker, "The Best Glue for Ceramic Repair"; Tiny Workshops, "Best glue for ceramic"; Ahrefs SERP data for "best glue for pottery". Specs checked October 2026.