Best Letter Size Short Drill Bits of 2026

Name: Cleveland 2133 Style Cobalt Steel Short Length Drill Bit, Bronze Oxide, Round Shank, 135 Degree Split Point, 1/4" & Letter Size E
Brand: CLEVELAND

Harry Stack

Last Updated: Jan 9, 2026

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Letter size short drill bits are a must-have for any handyman or DIY enthusiast looking to tackle precision drilling tasks. These bits are designed to drill holes in materials such as wood, plastic, and metal with great accuracy and efficiency. With a shorter length, these bits are perfect for drilling in tight or hard-to-reach spaces. Available in a range of sizes, from A to Z, these letter size short drill bits are made from high-quality materials, ensuring durability and longevity. Whether you're working on a small home improvement project or a larger construction job, these drill bits are sure to come in handy.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

#TOP 1

Cleveland 2133 Style Cobalt Steel Short Length Drill Bit, Bronze Oxide, Round Shank, 135 Degree Split Point, 1/4" & Letter Size E

9.9

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#TOP 2

Chicago Latrobe 559 Cobalt Steel Short Length Drill Bit, Gold Oxide Finish, Round Shank, 135 Degree Split Point, Letter Size I

9.8

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#TOP 3

Drill America 5/16" Cobalt Short Threaded Shank Drill Bit Overall Length 1-1/4, TSD Series

9.6

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Top 10 Letter Size Short Drill Bits

#TOP 1

Cleveland 2133 Style Cobalt Steel Short Length Drill Bit, Bronze Oxide, Round Shank, 135 Degree Split Point, 1/4" & Letter Size E

CLEVELAND
C14646
1/4 in

Cleveland 2133 Style Cobalt Steel Short Length Drill Bit, Bronze Oxide, Round Shank, 135 Degree Split Point, 1/4" & Letter Size E (Pack of 10)

Features

High-Speed Steel (HSS) Containing Cobalt Is A Good Combination Of Toughness And Hardness, For Use On Drilling Through Hard Substances
Screw Machine Length, For Rigidity And Strength
Straw Oxide Reduces Grinding Stress Within The Tool

9.9

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#TOP 2

Chicago Latrobe 559 Cobalt Steel Short Length Drill Bit, Gold Oxide Finish, Round Shank, 135 Degree Split Point, Letter Size I

Chicago-Latrobe
50838

Chicago Latrobe 559 Cobalt Steel Short Length Drill Bit, Gold Oxide Finish, Round Shank, 135 Degree Split Point, Letter Size I (Pack Of 12)

Features

Cobalt Steel Provides Extended Tool Life Compared To High-Speed Steel Drill Bits When Drilling Hard Materials
Short Length Drill Bit Offers Rigidity To Reduce Tool Deflection And Breakage
Gold Oxide Finish Lubricates And Provides Wear Resistance On Ferrous Materials

9.8

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#TOP 3

Drill America 5/16" Cobalt Short Threaded Shank Drill Bit Overall Length 1-1/4, TSD Series

Drill America
TSD5/16S
Black Oxide
5/16"

Drill America 5/16" Cobalt Short Threaded Shank Drill Bit Overall Length 1-1/4, TSD Series

Features

Gold Oxide Is A Thinner Oxide Surface Treatment Than Black Oxide Typically Used To Identify Cobalt Steel Tools; Performance Is Similar To Uncoated Tools
Cobalt Steel Tools Are Similar To High-Speed Steel, But With More Cobalt For Improved Performance When Cutting Harder Metals Such As Stainless Steel Or Nickel Alloys
When Run In A Counterclockwise Direction (right-Hand Cut) Spiral Fluted Tools Evacuate Chips Up And Out Of The Cut To Reduce Clogging

9.6

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#TOP 4

Alfa Tools SMCO60339 Number 39 Cobalt Screw Machine Drill 135-Degree Split Point

Alfa Tools
SMCO60339

Alfa Tools SMCO60339 Number 39 Cobalt Screw Machine Drill 135-Degree Split Point (12 Pack)

Features

#39 Diameter ( 0.0995"), 1-13/16" Overall Length
Heat-Resistant Cobalt M42 High-Speed Steel Maintains Cutting Ability At Temperatures Exceeding 1000 Degrees F
Made In USA

9.6

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#TOP 5

MaxTool 10PCs 1/4" x 3-1/16" Overall Length Pilot Drill BITS STUB Drills Short

MaxTool
BA06R1030-M2
Silver

MaxTool 10PCs 1/4" x 3-1/16" Overall Length Pilot Drill BITS STUB Drills Short for holesaw arbors up to 1.5" Cut-Depth; BA02W06R1030

Features

10pcs Package In A Box
Dia 1/4" Overall Length 3-1/16" With Flat Lock Notch On Shank. It Is Suitable For Holesaw Arbors Or Mandrels To Work With Cut-Depth Less Than 1.5 Inch Hole Saws
Superior Quality High Speed Steel And Quality Treatment HRC 62 - 64 Ensure The Drill Bits Longer Life

9.6

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#TOP 6

Chicago Latrobe 159 Series HSS Short Length Drill Bit Set

Chicago-Latrobe
69852
black
1/16" - 3/8"

Chicago Latrobe 69852 159 Series High-Speed Steel Short Length Drill Bit Set In Metal Case, Black Oxide Finish, 135 Degree Split Point, Inch, 21-piece, 1/16" - 3/8" in 1/64" increments

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.

9.6

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What We Like

Includes 21 pieces of drill bits with various sizes, providing convenience for different drilling needs.
The HSS material is wear-resistant and durable for long-term use.
The black oxide finish reduces wear on ferrous materials and promotes chip and coolant flow, making drilling easier and smoother.

#TOP 7

Chicago Latrobe 2159 High-Speed Steel Short Length Drill Bit

Chicago-Latrobe
48417

Chicago Latrobe 2159 High-Speed Steel Short Length Drill Bit, TiN Coated, Round Shank, 135 Degree Split Point, Wire Size #47 (Pack of 12)

Features

Manufactured From Premium High-Speed Steel
Manufactured To NAS 907 Type C Geometry Aerospace Specifications
Titanium Nitride Coatings Add A Hard Layer Of Gold-Colored Ceramic To The Surface That Extends Tool Life And Permits Faster Cutting Speeds Than Uncoated Tools

9.4

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#TOP 8

KnKut Letter I Short Stubby Length Drill Bit

KnKut
KK7-I

KnKut Letter I Short Stubby Length Drill Bit

Features

135° Split Point Tip
No Center Punch Or Pilot Hole Required
Manufactured From High Speed Steel

9.3

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#TOP 9

Chicago Latrobe 159 High-Speed Steel Short Length Drill Bit

Chicago-Latrobe
49216
1/4 in

Chicago Latrobe 159 High-Speed Steel Short Length Drill Bit, Black Oxide Finish, Round Shank, 135 Degree Split Point, 1/4" Size (Pack of 12)

Features

Manufactured From Premium High-Speed Steel
Manufactured To NAS 907 Type C Geometry Aerospace Specifications
Shorter Flute And Overall Length Provide Superior Rigidity To Minimize Deflection When Using Heavy Feed Rates

9.2

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#TOP 10

KnKut 17/64 Short Stubby Drill Bit

KnKut
KKN7-17/64
Factory

KnKut 17/64 Fractional Short Stubby Length 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.

9.1

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What We Like

No need for pilot hole
Precision split point tip
Gold surface treatment
Effective on tough materials

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What are short drill bits called?

Screw Machine Length: Also called "stubby length", these are the shortest common drill bits. Originally designed for screw machines, many people prefer these due to their high strength and added working clearance.

2. What are the sizes of letter drills?

Number and letter gauge drill bit sizes Number drill bit gauge sizes range from size 80 (the smallest) to size 1 (the largest) followed by letter gauge size A (the smallest) to size Z (the largest).

3. What are letter size drill bits used for?

Letter and numbered drill bits were developed to make up the gaps in between metric and fractional sizes. The most common use is for using taps. There will not be an exact match for fractional sizes but you can refer them to closest fractional bit that is larger than the numbered bit.

Editor's Notes

During our letter size short drill bit research, we found 24 letter size short drill bit products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 2,805 customer reviews through our big data system to write the letter size short drill bits list. We found that most customers choose letter size short drill bits with an average price of $9.95.

The letter size short drill bits are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of letter size short drill bits, including CLEVELAND, Chicago-Latrobe, Drill America, Alfa Tools, MaxTool. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 893 consumers with an average rating of 4.8.

Written by

Harry Stack

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.