Concrete drilling

Which drill bit works for concrete?

An SDS-plus shank belongs in an SDS-plus system; a standard cylindrical shank is selected for the correct three-jaw chuck. Do not assume they interchange.

Quick answer

For ordinary concrete, use a carbide-tipped concrete/masonry bit made for your drill interface: SDS-plus with a matching rotary hammer, or a cylindrical-shank masonry bit rated for a three-jaw hammer drill. First check for services and reinforcement.

Check your exact situation ↓

Interactive selector

Find a bit for your setup

Answer only the questions that change the selection. If the combination is not documented, the tool will say so.

What drill or chuck do you have?

Anchor / safety details (important for wall drilling)

This hole is for an anchor / fixing Electrical cables, water pipes or other hidden services may be in the drilling path This drilling affects a structural or safety-critical element

Reinforcing steel (rebar) may be in the concrete

Loading documented selection rules…

This does not verify workpiece condition, bit stock length, chuck capacity, structural loads or exact cutting speed. Follow the chosen manufacturer’s specification and use appropriate eye, hearing, workpiece and dust protection.

What changes the bit choice?

The chuck determines the bit interface

An SDS-plus shank belongs in an SDS-plus system; a standard cylindrical shank is selected for the correct three-jaw chuck. Do not assume they interchange.

The drill mode must be supported

Concrete usually requires a suitable percussion-capable setup. A rotary-only drill may not be adequate: our tool asks for a different setup instead of promising it will work.

Dust and reinforcement deserve attention

Concrete drilling creates respirable dust. Use appropriate controls and assess hidden electrical/plumbing lines. Never assume suspected reinforcement can be cut.

Common mistakes to avoid

Putting an SDS-plus bit into a regular three-jaw chuck.
Ignoring dust capture and eye protection.
Drilling into rebar or structural elements without assessment.

Source-bound guidance

Technical references

Bosch Professional: CYL-3 concrete/masonry drill bit
Carbide-tip cylindrical-shank masonry bit for concrete and solid brick; Fits three-jaw chuck and is intended for rotary/impact drilling. Only within product size/rating
Bosch Professional: SDS plus-1 hammer drill bit
Carbide SDS-plus bit for rotary hammers, concrete and solid brick; SDS-plus chuck interface. Not compatible with a basic three-jaw chuck without the appropriate tool/system
OSHA: 1926.1153 respirable crystalline silica, Table 1
Handheld drilling of silica-containing concrete/masonry requires appropriate exposure controls in covered occupational settings; Shrouds/dust collection and HEPA cleaning called out in Table 1. US workplace regulation; non-US local rules differ and required controls depend on activity

Manufacturer guidance applies within the relevant product and material scope. A listed source is not proof that all bits of the same category are interchangeable.

Frequently asked questions

Can I drill concrete with a regular drill?

Some specialized jobs and products may permit rotary drilling, but this selector does not approve generic rotary-only concrete drilling without the exact supported system.

What size bit for a concrete anchor?

The specific anchor manufacturer must define the bore diameter and embedment requirements; do not derive this from a generic anchor name.

Need a different material? Browse all ten material guides. Interested in wall fixings? Read our anchor-size warning and workflow.