If you've searched for "rock drill bits for hammer drill," you've likely encountered a confusing mix of results—from $15 SDS bits at Home Depot to industrial DTH bits costing hundreds of dollars. That's because the term "hammer drill" covers two completely different categories of equipment.

This guide covers both categories clearly. MSD is a China-based rock drilling tools manufacturer with 23+ years of experience, producing DTH bits, button bits, and complete drilling systems for contractors in 40+ countries. Our engineering team compiled this guide from field data and product development experience.

Two Types of "Hammer Drills"—Which One Are You Using?

Handheld Rotary Hammer Drills (SDS Plus/SDS Max)

Electric or cordless power tools used for anchor bolt installation in concrete, drilling holes for electrical/plumbing in masonry, light demolition, and DIY work. Common brands: Hilti, Bosch, DeWalt, Makita, Milwaukee.

• Bit type needed: SDS-Plus or SDS-Max carbide-tipped masonry bits

• Rock capability: Concrete, brick, soft limestone, light masonry. Not suitable for hard rock like granite or basalt.

Industrial Rock Drills (DTH Hammer / Top Hammer / Pneumatic)

Heavy-duty drilling systems used for mining blast holes, quarry production, water well drilling, geothermal, and foundation piling.

• DTH (Down-the-Hole) hammer drills — hammer located at bit face, powered by compressed air

• Top hammer drills (drifters) — hammer located at drill head, impact transmitted through rods

• Pneumatic rock drills — handheld or rig-mounted air-powered drills

Bit type needed: DTH bits, button bits, cross bits, or tapered bits. Capable of drilling all rock types including granite, basalt, quartzite, and formations above Mohs 7.

Rock Drill Bits for Handheld Hammer Drills (SDS Plus/Max)

If you're using a handheld rotary hammer (Hilti, Bosch, DeWalt), standard carbide-tipped SDS bits work well for concrete, brick, soft limestone, and general masonry. Price range: $5–$30 per bit. For harder materials, 4-cutter bits provide faster penetration and reduced vibration compared to standard 2-cutter designs. Top choices include the Hilti TE-CX/TE-YX and Bosch Expert series.

Important limitation: Even the best SDS bits will struggle or fail in true hard rock. If your SDS bit is smoking, overheating, or barely making progress, you're in rock too hard for handheld equipment.

Rock Drill Bits for Industrial Hammer Drilling

For production drilling in hard rock, you need industrial-grade rock drill bits designed for sustained heavy-duty operation.

DTH Hammer Bits (Down-the-Hole)

DTH bits attach directly to the DTH hammer, which travels down the hole with the bit. This delivers consistent impact energy regardless of depth—ideal for deep drilling in water well, mining, quarry, and construction applications.

Button configurations:

• Flat face: General purpose, good cuttings evacuation in mixed formations

• Concave face: Fastest penetration in soft to medium rock (f<10)

• Convex face (dome): Extended gauge life in hard, abrasive rock (f>14)

Rule of Thumb: Soft rock (f<8) → Concave for speed. Medium rock (f=8–14) → Flat for versatility. Hard rock (f>14) → Convex for gauge protection and maximum bit life.

MSD DTH Bit Coverage:

Full size range 90–1000mm. All shank types: DHD, QL, SD, MISSION, COP, NUMA series.

Explore MSD DTH Bit Products →

Top Hammer Button Bits (Threaded & Tapered)

Top hammer systems transmit impact from the rock drill through extension rods to the bit. Two main connection types:

Tapered Bits:

• Connection: Friction-fit tapered shank (7°, 11°, 12°); self-tightening under impact

• Rod size: Hex 22mm or Hex 25mm

• Typical diameter: 28–45mm

• Best for: Handheld pneumatic drills (YT24/YT28), shallow single-rod holes, secondary breaking

Threaded Bits:

• Connection: Threaded shank (R32, T38, T45, T51, ST58–ST68)

• Typical diameter: 43–152mm

• Best for: Rig-mounted hydraulic top hammer drills, production drilling, deep holes with extension rods

Rule of Thumb: Hole diameter ≤45mm and single-rod depth → choose taper for fastest bit changes. Hole diameter ≥45mm or deep holes requiring extension rods → choose threaded for energy transfer and reach.

View MSD Top Hammer Drilling Tools →

Cross Bits vs Button Bits vs Chisel Bits

Rule of Thumb: For rock above Mohs 5, tungsten carbide button bits are the only viable option. The multiple YK05 carbide buttons distribute impact force efficiently and resist wear far better than chisel or cross designs. In granite, basalt, or quartzite, using anything other than button bits means rapid bit failure and excessive downtime.

Rock Type vs Drill Bit Selection: Combined Reference

MSD Industrial Rock Drill Bits: Factory-Direct

MSD has manufactured rock drilling tools since 2003. Located in Zhuzhou, Hunan—China's tungsten carbide manufacturing center—MSD produces DTH bits, button bits, and complete drilling systems for mining, quarrying, water well, and construction applications. ISO 9001 certified.

MSD bits feature premium YK05 grade tungsten carbide—a cobalt-bonded formulation optimized for the hardness-toughness balance demanded by hard rock applications. Two-stage heat treatment and cold-pressing technology achieve sub-0.1% comprehensive failure rates across the product range.

Field result: A Russian iron mine deployed MSD QL60-178mm DTH bits in extremely hard iron ore (f=18). The bits achieved 340 meters per bit—a 70% improvement over the previous supplier—with zero button breakage or body failure, 23% faster penetration rate, and 35% reduction in cost per meter.

For mining, quarrying, and water well contractors seeking professional rock drill bits that match tier-1 OEM quality at competitive pricing, contact MSD directly for specifications and quotes.

View MSD DTH Bit Products →

See MSD Mining Solutions →

Explore MSD Water Well Solutions →

How to Choose: Decision Framework

Step 1 — Identify your equipment:

Step 2 — Match to rock hardness: Use the combined table above. Hard rock (Mohs 6+) always requires industrial button bits with YK05 carbide.

Step 3 — Select bit specifications: Match diameter to hole size, thread/taper to your equipment, and button shape to rock hardness (spherical for hard/abrasive, ballistic for soft/fast penetration, conical for balanced performance).

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Will a hammer drill go through rock?

A handheld hammer drill with SDS bits can drill through concrete, brick, and soft stone like limestone. For hard rock like granite or basalt, handheld drills lack sufficient power and their bits will overheat and fail quickly. Hard rock drilling requires industrial equipment—DTH hammer systems or top hammer rigs with purpose-built tungsten carbide rock drill bits.

Q2: What kind of drill bit do you need to drill into rock?

It depends on rock hardness and your equipment. For concrete and soft masonry, use SDS-Plus or SDS-Max carbide-tipped bits. For hard rock (granite, basalt, quartzite), you need industrial rock drill bits—DTH bits for down-the-hole hammer drilling or button bits for top hammer drilling. Button bits with YK05 tungsten carbide inserts are essential for rock above Mohs 5.

Q3: Can a hammer drill break up rocks?

A handheld hammer drill is designed for drilling holes, not breaking rock. While rotary hammers have a "hammer only" mode for light chipping, they cannot break solid rock. For rock breaking, you need hydraulic breakers or pneumatic rock drills with moil points. For drilling holes in rock, use the appropriate industrial rock drill with proper tungsten carbide bits.

Q4: What bits to use for a hammer drill?

For handheld rotary hammers (Hilti, Bosch, DeWalt), use SDS-Plus bits for smaller drills or SDS-Max bits for larger rotary hammers—carbide-tipped masonry bits for concrete and soft stone. For industrial hammer drills (DTH systems, top hammer rigs, pneumatic rock drills), use DTH bits, threaded button bits, tapered bits, or cross bits depending on your specific equipment and application.

Q5: What are the best rock drill bits for hammer drill?

For handheld rotary hammers drilling concrete and light masonry, top choices include Hilti TE-CX/TE-YX and Bosch Expert series. For industrial rock drilling in hard formations, the best bits feature premium YK05 grade tungsten carbide, optimized button configurations (spherical for hard rock, ballistic for soft rock), and quality two-stage heat treatment. MSD manufactures professional rock drill bits matching tier-1 OEM quality at competitive pricing for mining, quarrying, and water well applications. Contact our engineering team with your rock hardness and rig model for a customized bit recommendation and trial quote.

Technical content reviewed by MSD Engineering Team. | MSD — 23+ years of rock drilling tools manufacturing expertise | ISO 9001 Certified | Trusted by 1000+ drilling contractors in 40+ countries