How to Use a Screwdriver Properly

Match the Tip to the Screw First

The single biggest factor in using a screwdriver well is fit. A tip that is too small or the wrong shape slips, and slipping is how screw heads get stripped. Look at the slot or recess in the screw head before you reach for a driver.

A slotted screw has one straight groove and needs a flat tip that fills the slot from edge to edge. A Phillips screw has a cross shape and needs a cross-shaped tip in the right size. Torx screws have a six-point star recess, and hex screws have a six-sided hole. Square drive screws have a square recess.

If you are not sure which size to use, try the driver in the screw before you turn it. The tip should sit deep in the recess and barely wobble. If it rocks around, try the next size up or down. Our best screwdriver set comparison lists the drive types each set covers, which helps you check that a kit matches the screws in your home.

Which Way to Turn

The rule most people learn is righty-tighty, lefty-loosey. Looking at the screw head from the side the driver is on, clockwise drives the screw in and counterclockwise backs it out. That holds for nearly every screw you will meet around the house.

One caution: a few screws, such as some fittings and specialty hardware, use reverse threads. If a screw will not budge and you are sure the tip fits, check whether it might be a left-hand thread before you force it.

Step-by-Step Technique

Good technique is mostly about alignment and steady pressure. These steps work for most common jobs, from assembling furniture to swapping a cabinet hinge.

• Choose a tip that fills the recess of the screw head completely.
• Hold the work steady. Clamp small parts or rest them on a stable surface so they cannot spin.
• Set the tip fully into the screw head, with the driver in a straight line with the screw.
• Grip the handle in your palm and wrap your fingers around it. Use your other hand to steady the shaft near the tip if needed, keeping that hand out of the tip's path.
• Lean your weight into the driver so it stays seated, then turn with a smooth wrist rotation.
• If you run out of wrist travel, lift the driver off, reset your hand and turn again. Do not let the tip lose contact while turning.
• For wood, start the screw in a small pilot hole if the material tends to split, and stop turning when the head sits flush.

Dealing With Stuck or Stripped Screws

A stubborn screw is usually stuck because of corrosion, old paint or overtightening. More forward pressure often helps more than more twisting force. Press hard, then turn in short, controlled efforts.

If the head is starting to round out, stop and switch to a better-fitting tip. A slightly larger tip that seats deeply often grips better than a worn one. For a head that is already damaged, a wide rubber band or a piece of cloth placed between the tip and the screw can add grip. Screw extractors are made for badly stripped heads.

Tapping the end of the handle lightly with a mallet can also help seat the tip in a tight Phillips recess. Avoid hitting a driver that is not designed for it, because cheap handles can crack.

Using a Screwdriver Set and Bits

A set gives you the right size for each job, which makes everything above easier. Many kits include a handful of full-size drivers plus interchangeable bits that fit a single handle or a bit holder.

Magnetic tips hold a screw on the end of the driver, which helps with small screws and overhead work. In our comparison, the top-ranked SUNHZ MCKP 66-piece set lists 14 drivers, 40 bits, S2 alloy steel blades and magnetic tips, covering Phillips, slotted and Torx. The Amartisan 10-piece set is a simpler option, with Phillips and slotted drivers, magnetic tips and a weight of 1.21 lb.

A ratcheting multibit driver works a little differently. The CRAFTSMAN 26-piece multibit set lists square, hex, Torx, slotted and Phillips drive types. Ratcheting lets you keep your hand on the handle and turn back and forth without lifting off, though its tips are not listed as magnetic.

Keep the bits sorted. A small case or rack makes it much quicker to grab the right size instead of guessing. You can compare storage styles, drive types and weights on the screwdriver set comparison page.

Safety Notes

Screwdrivers look harmless, but slips cause real injuries. Always keep your free hand out of the path of the tip, and never hold a small part in your palm while driving a screw into it.

Wear safety glasses when working overhead, driving screws into brittle material or using any bit with a power tool. Metal chips and flying screws can hurt your eyes.

For electrical work, such as replacing an outlet cover or a switch plate, turn off the power at the breaker and confirm it is off with a voltage tester before you touch anything. Do not use a metal-shaft driver near live wiring. Never use a screwdriver as a pry bar, chisel or punch, since the tip can snap.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use a power drill instead of a hand screwdriver?

Yes, with a driver bit and the clutch set to a low torque setting. For small screws and delicate materials, a hand driver gives better feel and lowers the risk of stripping.

What is the difference between Phillips and Pozidriv?

They look similar, but Pozidriv screws have extra small tick marks around the cross and need a matching tip. A Phillips tip in a Pozidriv screw can slip and damage the head.

Why does my screwdriver keep slipping out?

Usually the tip is the wrong size or shape, it is worn, or you are not pressing hard enough along the screw's line. Check the fit first, then add more forward pressure.

Are magnetic tips safe to use?

They are fine for most household jobs and are handy for holding screws. Keep a magnetized tool away from items that are sensitive to magnets.

How tight should I turn a screw?

Turn until it is snug and the head sits flush with the surface. If you feel the screw suddenly spin freely, you have stripped the hole and should stop.