Can You Put a Drill Bit in an Impact Driver?

Why the answer is yes, with limits

An impact driver is built to drive screws. It spins the bit and also delivers quick rotational hammer blows when resistance rises. That extra force is what sinks long screws without stalling, and it is why an impact driver feels so different from a drill.

Drilling a hole is a different job. A drill bit needs steady, smooth rotation and a firm hold. An impact driver can do this for light work, as long as the bit fits the tool and is built to handle the hammering. Fit is the first hurdle, so let's start there.

What actually fits an impact driver

Most impact drivers have a quick-release collet that accepts 1/4 in hex shanks only. There is no three-jaw chuck to tighten around a round shank. That means the round-shank twist bits that come in many older drill sets will not seat properly.

You have three practical ways to get a drill bit into an impact driver.

• Buy hex-shank drill bits. These are made with a 1/4 in hex shank and click straight into the collet.
• Use a quick-change chuck adapter. It has a 1/4 in hex shank on one end and a small chuck on the other, so you can use round-shank bits. Choose one rated for impact use, since ordinary adapters can fail under the hammering.
• Use a drill and keep the impact driver for screws. This is often the simplest answer if you own both tools.

How to use a drill bit in an impact driver

Once you have a hex-shank bit or a suitable adapter, the process is simple. A little care at the start saves bits and keeps the work clean.

• Remove the battery or lock the trigger before changing bits.
• Pull the collet forward, slide in the hex shank, and release until it clicks and holds. Give the bit a gentle tug to confirm it is locked.
• Mark the hole with a center punch or a small dimple so the tip does not wander.
• Start at low speed with light pressure and let the tip bite before you squeeze harder.
• Keep the driver straight and let the tool do the work. Back the bit out now and then to clear chips.
• Ease off just before the bit breaks through to reduce splintering and grabbing.

Do you need impact-rated bits?

For drill bits, it is smart to choose ones marketed for impact drivers. Ordinary hardened bits can be brittle, and sharp hammer blows may snap them. Impact-rated bits use tougher steel, and many also have a torsion zone that flexes to absorb the shock.

For driving screws, the answer is also yes in practice. Impact drivers hammer as they turn, so ordinary screwdriver bits can snap or round off under that force. Our best impact driver bit set page compares sets that are impact rated, and the key things to check are the steel, the torsion zone and the 1/4 in hex shank.

If you only want one purchase that covers both jobs, a combined set can help. The DEWALT 100-piece drive and drill set on that page includes 14 drill bits alongside Torx, Phillips, square and slotted driving bits. The CRAFTSMAN all-in-one set has 140 pieces with 21 drill bits and nut drivers.

Impact driver or drill: which should you use?

Drilling with an impact driver is fine for a pilot hole, a quick hole in softwood, or a small hole in thin metal. It is less suited to jobs that need control or large bits. Here is a quick comparison.

If you are deciding which tool to buy first, our best drill and best impact driver pages compare the main options side by side.

Safety notes

Impact drivers generate high torque, and a bit that jams can twist the tool in your hand. Hold it firmly with a stable stance and keep your free hand clear of the work area.

Wear safety glasses, because chips and broken bit fragments can fly. Impact drivers are loud, so use hearing protection, especially when working in an enclosed space.

Clamp small workpieces rather than holding them by hand. Do not use damaged, bent or heavily worn bits, and let hot bits cool before touching them. Check for hidden wires and pipes before drilling into walls.

What to look for in a set

If you plan to do both drilling and driving, look for a set that clearly states impact rated and lists a 1/4 in hex shank. Check that the bit types match your work, such as Phillips, square and Torx. Bit lengths, nut drivers and the case also affect how handy a set is day to day.

Be careful with sets that have 5/16 in shanks. On our comparison page, those smaller sets fit manual hand-strike impact drivers, not power tools. If you want one tool kit with everything, our best drill driver set page covers drill and driver combinations, and the best drill driver bit set page covers bit sets for those tools.

Frequently asked questions

Will a round-shank drill bit work in my impact driver?

Not directly, because the collet takes hex shanks. You can use an impact-rated quick-change chuck adapter to hold a round-shank bit, but a hex-shank bit is simpler.

Can I drill into concrete with an impact driver?

It is not the right tool. Concrete and masonry call for a hammer drill and masonry bits, which are designed for that job.

Why does my impact driver feel harder to control than a drill?

It has no clutch and adds hammer blows under load. That makes it great for screws, but it can grab or overdrive when drilling. Use low speed and steady pressure.

Can I use impact driver bits in a regular drill?

Yes. Hex-shank impact bits fit a drill's chuck and generally work fine, as long as you stay within the torque the bit can handle.