Screwdriver Bits Guide: Types, Materials & How to Choose

Screwdriver bits are the removable tips that fit into bit drivers, power drills, and impact drivers. They all use a standard ¼″ (6.35 mm) hex shank, making them interchangeable across tools from any manufacturer.

Insert Bits vs Power Bits

Insert bits are 25 mm (1″) long and fit into bit holders or compact drivers. Power bits are 50 mm (2″) or longer and fit directly into drill chucks or impact drivers without a holder. For deep-set screws or working at arm's length, power bits give better reach.

Bit Types and What They Fit

Bit Materials

• S2 tool steel - the industry standard for quality bits. Hardened to HRC 58–62 for durability and resistance to rounding
• Chrome vanadium (CRV) - good all-round steel, slightly softer than S2 but more flexible (less brittle)
• High-speed steel (HSS) - more heat-resistant, used for some specialty and industrial bits
• Soft alloy / unmarked - cheap bits that round out quickly. Avoid for anything beyond occasional use

Impact-Rated Bits

Standard bits shatter under the repeated concussive blows of an impact driver. Impact-rated bits (often marked "impact" or torsion) are made from slightly softer, more flexible steel with a torsion zone that absorbs shock. If you use an impact driver, always use impact-rated bits - standard bits will snap.