How to Change a Drill Bit in a Cordless Drill

Before you start: make the drill safe

A cordless drill can spin the moment the trigger is touched, so take a few seconds to make it safe. Most bit changes end with a nicked finger because the trigger was bumped while the hand was near the jaws.

Also remember that a bit can be hot right after drilling, especially in metal. Let it cool for a minute, or use a cloth to grip it.

• Take the battery off the drill. If you prefer to leave it on, slide the forward/reverse switch to the center lock position so the trigger cannot pull.
• Set the drill on a flat surface or hold it with the chuck pointing away from your face and body.
• Wear safety glasses once you start drilling. Chips and broken bit fragments can fly.
• Check the new bit for bends, chips or dull edges before you put it in.

How to remove a drill bit (keyless chuck)

Most modern cordless drills have a keyless chuck, which you tighten and loosen by hand. Our best cordless drill page lists chuck type and size for each model, and many of them are keyless. For example, the Greenworks DD345 has a 1/2 in keyless chuck, and the AVID POWER CD316-20 has a 3/8 in keyless chuck.

Some chucks are single-sleeve, which means you grip one outer sleeve and turn it. Others have two parts, a rear collar and a front sleeve. With a two-part chuck, hold the rear collar still with one hand and twist the front sleeve with the other.

• Lock the trigger or remove the battery.
• Hold the drill with the bit pointing away from you. Looking at the drill from behind, turn the chuck sleeve counterclockwise.
• Keep turning until the jaws open wide enough to release the bit. You will often hear a ratcheting click as the jaws open.
• Pull the bit straight out. If it is stuck, give it a gentle twist as you pull.

How to insert a new drill bit

Open the jaws a little wider than the bit shank. The shank is the smooth or hex end of the bit that sits inside the chuck. Slide it in until it seats deep in the jaws, with the flutes (the spiral grooves) staying outside.

Then turn the chuck clockwise, as seen from behind the drill, to close the jaws. Tighten firmly by hand. Many keyless chucks click when they are snug.

For a final check, hold the drill with the bit pointed at the floor and give the bit a light tug. It should not wiggle or slip. Run the drill briefly at low speed and watch that the bit spins in a straight line. A bit that wobbles has probably been seated crooked, so loosen the chuck and start again.

Match the bit to your chuck size

The chuck size tells you the largest shank diameter the jaws can hold. A 1/2 in chuck takes shanks up to 1/2 in, and a 3/8 in chuck takes shanks up to 3/8 in. Bits with larger shanks will not fit.

If you are building a bit collection, a best drill driver bit set comparison is a good place to check which sets suit common chuck sizes. For large holes in thin metal or plastic, a best step drill bit can cover many hole sizes with one bit, and most have shanks that fit common chucks.

Here is how chuck sizes look on some drills from our best cordless drill page.

If your drill has a keyed chuck

Older or heavy-duty drills may use a keyed chuck. It has three small holes around the outside, and a T-shaped key with teeth that fit into them.

Insert the key into one hole, with the teeth meshing against the chuck gear, and turn counterclockwise to open the jaws. Remove the bit, insert the new one, and turn the key clockwise to close. For the best grip, tighten in all three holes, one after another, so the jaws grip evenly.

Always take the key out before you start the drill. A key left in the chuck can spin out and hit you.

How to remove a cordless drill chuck

You rarely need to remove the whole chuck. It is only needed if the chuck is damaged, the jaws will not grip, or you want to swap to a different chuck. Check your drill's manual first, since some chucks are made to be removed in a particular way.

The usual method uses a hex key (Allen key) and works on many drills with a threaded chuck. Wear safety glasses, because you will be striking a tool.

• Remove the battery.
• Open the jaws as wide as they go. Look inside the chuck for a retaining screw. It often has a left-hand thread, so you turn it clockwise to loosen it. Remove it.
• Put the short end of a hex key into the chuck and tighten the jaws on it. The long end should stick out to the side.
• Set the drill on a firm bench. Tap the long end of the key with a mallet in the loosening direction, which is counterclockwise as seen from behind the drill. The shock usually breaks the chuck free.
• Unscrew the chuck by hand once it loosens.

Hammer drills and tricky bits

The steps are the same on a hammer drill, though hammer action puts extra stress on the grip. If you use a hammer drill for masonry, check that the bit is firmly tightened before every job. Our best hammer drill cordless page compares models, including keyless options.

If a bit will not come out, it may be jammed because the chuck was overtightened or the bit was heated. Try opening the chuck as far as you can, spray a little penetrating oil on the shank only, and wait a few minutes. Wear gloves, and avoid getting oil on the trigger or handle.

If you are shopping for a new drill and chuck comfort matters to you, you can also compare options on our best cordless drill page.

Frequently asked questions

Which way do I turn the chuck to loosen it?

Counterclockwise, as you look at the drill from behind. Clockwise tightens it.

Why does my bit slip in the chuck?

The most common causes are a chuck that is not tight enough, a dirty or worn jaw, or a bit with a shank that is too smooth or damaged. Try tightening again, and clean the jaws with a dry cloth.

Can I use any bit in any drill?

Only if the shank diameter fits inside the chuck. Check the chuck size on your drill and the shank size on the bit before you buy.

Should I tighten the chuck while the drill is running?

No. Always stop the drill, lock the trigger or remove the battery, and tighten the chuck by hand or with the key.