Question 1

What drill bit do I need for concrete?

Accepted Answer

For drilling into concrete, brick, or block, you need a carbide-tipped masonry bit used with a hammer drill in hammer mode. For holes larger than 1/2 inch or in very hard concrete, use SDS-Plus bits in an SDS rotary hammer. Never use standard HSS twist bits on concrete - they will overheat and fail immediately. Our Drill Bit Selector recommends the exact bit type and size for your material and hole size.

Question 2

What is the difference between SDS and masonry drill bits?

Accepted Answer

Both are carbide-tipped for masonry, but SDS-Plus bits have a special shank that locks into SDS rotary hammer chucks. Standard masonry bits have a round shank for regular drill chucks. SDS bits are more efficient in SDS hammers, allow the hammer mechanism to work properly, and are required for larger holes. Use our Drill Bit Selector to find the right type for your drill.

Question 3

What drill bit do I need for steel?

Accepted Answer

For mild steel, use cobalt (M35 or M42) or titanium-coated HSS drill bits with cutting oil. For stainless steel and hardened steel, use M42 cobalt bits. Always use cutting oil to reduce heat and extend bit life. Slow speeds with firm pressure produce the best results in metal. Our Drill Bit Selector recommends the right bit grade for your specific metal type.

Question 4

Can I use the same drill bit for wood and metal?

Accepted Answer

Standard HSS twist bits work on both wood and soft metals, but dedicated bits give better results. Brad-point bits produce cleaner holes in wood. Cobalt bits last much longer in steel. For occasional mixed use, titanium-coated HSS bits are a reasonable compromise. Our selector recommends the optimal bit type for each material.

Question 5

What size drill bit do I need for a concrete anchor?

Accepted Answer

Anchor bit size must match exactly. Tapcon 3/16 inch needs 5/32 inch carbide bit. Tapcon 1/4 inch needs 3/16 inch. Wedge and sleeve anchors use the same diameter as the anchor body. Never upsize - a loose hole prevents expansion anchor from gripping. Our Drill Bit Selector includes anchor pilot hole recommendations.

Anchor Type	Anchor Size	Drill Bit Size	Bit Type	Min Embedment
Tapcon Screw	3/16"	5/32"	Carbide Masonry	1"
Tapcon Screw	1/4"	3/16"	Carbide Masonry	1-1/4"
Wedge Anchor	1/4"	1/4"	Carbide Masonry	1-1/8"
Wedge Anchor	3/8"	3/8"	Carbide Masonry	2-1/4"
Wedge Anchor	1/2"	1/2"	Carbide Masonry	3-1/2"
Wedge Anchor	5/8"	5/8"	Carbide Masonry	4-3/8"
Wedge Anchor	3/4"	3/4"	Carbide Masonry	5"
Sleeve Anchor	1/4"	1/4"	Carbide Masonry	1-1/8"
Sleeve Anchor	3/8"	3/8"	Carbide Masonry	2-1/4"
Sleeve Anchor	1/2"	1/2"	Carbide Masonry	2-5/8"
Drop-In Anchor	1/4"	3/8"	Carbide Masonry	1-1/2"
Drop-In Anchor	3/8"	1/2"	Carbide Masonry	1-5/8"
Drop-In Anchor	1/2"	5/8"	Carbide Masonry	2"

Material	Best Bit Type	Bit Material	Drill Mode	Use Cutting Oil?
Concrete	Carbide Masonry	Carbide Tip	Hammer Mode	No
Brick	Carbide Masonry	Carbide Tip	Hammer Mode	No
Block (CMU)	Carbide Masonry	Carbide Tip	Hammer Mode	No
Mild Steel	Twist Bit	Cobalt or HSS	Regular	Yes
Stainless Steel	Twist Bit	Cobalt M42	Regular (slow)	Yes
Hardwood	Brad-Point	HSS	Regular	No
Softwood	Brad-Point or Spade	HSS	Regular	No
Ceramic Tile	Diamond-Tipped	Diamond	Regular (no hammer)	Water
Porcelain Tile	Diamond Core	Diamond	Regular (no hammer)	Water
Glass	Diamond-Tipped Spear	Diamond	Regular (slow)	Water
Aluminum	Twist Bit	HSS or Cobalt	Regular	Yes
Cast Iron	Twist Bit	HSS	Regular (slow)	No (dry)

Material	1/8" bit	1/4" bit	3/8" bit	1/2" bit
Softwood	3,000	2,000	1,500	1,000
Hardwood	2,500	1,500	1,000	750
Mild Steel	3,000	1,500	1,000	750
Stainless Steel	1,500	750	500	350
Aluminum	4,000	2,500	2,000	1,500
Concrete	Use hammer mode - RPM less important
Tile/Glass	600	400	300	200

Concrete Anchor Drill Bit Size Chart

Drill Bit Types by Material

Drill Bit Speed Guide (RPM by Material)