Best Short Drill Bits of 2025

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Short drill bits are essential tools for anyone who needs to make precise holes in tight spaces. These bits are shorter than standard drill bits, making them ideal for working in small areas or drilling at awkward angles. They come in a variety of sizes and materials, including high-speed steel and carbide, to match the needs of different projects. Short drill bits are commonly used in woodworking, metalworking, and electrical work, and are a must-have for any DIY enthusiast or professional tradesperson. With their compact size and versatility, they are a valuable addition to any toolbox.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
Top 10 Short Drill Bits
29PC Stubby Industrial Black & Gold Drill Bit Set
This 29-piece drill bit set includes sizes ranging from 1/16" to 1/2" in 1/64" increments, making it a versatile addition to your toolkit. The 135-degree split point, fully ground, self-centering, stubby length allows for precise and accurate drilling. The black/gold colored finish adds durability and style. The set comes in a metal case with a drill index, providing neat organization for easy storage and access.
Drill America Cobalt Heavy Duty Split Point Stub Drill Bit
The Drill America Cobalt Heavy Duty Split Point Stub Drill Bit is perfect for cutting harder metals like stainless steel or nickel alloys. Its cobalt steel material provides improved performance, and the gold oxide surface treatment makes it easy to identify. The round shanks allow for use in a wide variety of toolholding systems, while the counterclockwise direction helps reduce clogging. Whether you're using a portable or machine drilling system, this is the ideal drill bit for your needs.
Chicago Latrobe 159 Series Short Length Drill Bit Set
The Chicago Latrobe 159 Series is a set of 15 short length drill bits made of high-speed steel with a black oxide finish. The set includes inch sizes from 1/16" to 1/2" in 1/32" increments. The 135-degree split point is self-centering and produces small chips to reduce clogging, making it easy to penetrate hard materials without a pilot hole. An extra thick web provides increased strength and rigidity compared to standard drill bits. Made in the USA, this set is ideal for drilling into ferrous materials, reducing wear and promoting chip and coolant flow.
Champion Cutting Tool Screw Machine Stubby Drills: 1705-5/16
Champion Stubby Drills are heavy-duty screw machine drills with a short flute and overall length. The short design increases rigidity, enhancing hole accuracy and tool lifespan. Made of black oxide treated high-speed steel, they resist heat and offer long-lasting performance. With a 135 Degree split point, these drills are ideal for precise drilling in sheet metal, steel, and stainless steel. Crafted in the USA, these drills ensure quality and reliability for your drilling needs.
Chicago Latrobe 159 Series HSS Short Length Drill Bit Set
The Chicago Latrobe 159 Series HSS Short Length Drill Bit Set includes 21 pieces of drill bits with inch sizes ranging from 1/16" to 3/8" in 1/64" increments. The high-speed steel material provides hardness for wear resistance, while the black oxide finish reduces wear and promotes chip and coolant flow on ferrous materials. The self-centering 135-degree split point design allows for penetration of hard material without a pilot hole and produces small chips to reduce clogging. The extra thick web adds strength and rigidity compared to standard drill bits. Made in the USA.
Drill America DWDST Series Stub Drill Bits
The Drill America Stub Drill Bits are designed for versatility and efficiency in various drilling tasks. Made from high-speed steel, these bits provide a strong balance of hardness and toughness, making them suitable for general-purpose applications. The black oxide treatment enhances lubricity and helps maintain coolant near the cutting edge, improving performance. Additionally, the round shanks ensure compatibility with different toolholding systems, giving you flexibility in your projects. When used in a right-hand cut, the spiral flutes effectively remove chips from the cutting area, minimizing the risk of clogging and allowing for smoother operation.
Chicago Latrobe 26-pc Short Drill Bit Set
This Chicago Latrobe 26-piece short length drill bit set includes one each of letter sizes A through Z. Made of high-speed steel (HSS), the uncoated (bright) finish can be used on a range of materials including soft metals. The 118-degree conventional point is ideal for a range of drilling applications, while the short length drill bits offer the strength and rigidity required for heavy-feed rate applications. Made in the USA.
Tight Fit Stub Series Drill Bit Set
The Tight Fit Drill Bit Set features bits crafted from M7 high-speed steel, making them ideal for drilling into tough materials. The 135-degree split-point design ensures precise drilling and minimizes walking, giving you better control. Each bit comes with 1/4-28 threads and includes a 5/16 inch hex adapter for easy removal, saving you time and effort. Additionally, these bits are black oxided to resist corrosion and prevent welding, enhancing their durability. With three different lengths, you can choose the best fit for your project needs.
KnKut 17/64 Short Stubby Drill Bit
The KnKut Stubby Drill Bit is designed for convenience and efficiency. Made in the USA, it eliminates the need for a center punch or pilot hole, allowing you to start drilling immediately. Its 135° split point tip ensures precise entry into materials, making your drilling tasks smoother. Additionally, the gold surface treatment enhances lubricity, reducing friction and heat build-up during use. This bit is capable of drilling through tough materials like stainless steel and titanium alloy, making it an excellent choice for demanding projects.
Drill America Cobalt Short Threaded Shank Drill Bit
The Drill America Cobalt Short Threaded Shank Drill Bit is made of cobalt steel with a threaded shank for use with threaded-spindle tools. It has a gold oxide surface treatment and 135 degrees heavy duty split point to drill harder metals such as stainless steel or nickel alloys. The spiral fluted tool evacuates chips up and out of the cut to reduce clogging. It is surface treated for drilling hard, tough, high tensile strength materials, making it ideal for aerospace and automotive applications.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Does drill bit length matter?
Yes, the length of a drill bit does matter. Short drill bits, also known as mechanics length drill bits, have a shorter overall length and flute length. This makes them suitable for use in tight spaces and provides increased resistance to breakage. They are particularly useful for drilling into harder materials and for hard metal drilling.
2. Why are drill bits so long?
Drill bits are long because they were originally designed for the aircraft industry. In this industry, laborers needed to drill deep cavities and penetrate thin materials. During World War II, extended shanks with short or jobber-length flutes were used. Today, long drill bits continue to be used by workers to drill deep holes of various depths and lengths.
During our short drill bit research, we found 24 short drill bit products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 4,486 customer reviews through our big data system to write the short drill bits list. We found that most customers choose short drill bits with an average price of $15.31.
The short drill bits are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of short drill bits, including vector tools, Drill America, Chicago-Latrobe, Champion, Tight Fit. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 428 consumers with an average rating of 4.9.

Harry Stack owns a small hardware store, his career landed him a depth of knowledge in categories such as tools, equipment, machinery and hardware. In his spare time, he usually repairs furniture, safes and appliances, and he knows how to make simple repairs to plumbing or electrical fixtures. His hobbies also include woodworking and fishing.