How to Drill Into Brick With a Cordless Drill

On this page (11 sections)

1. How do you drill into brick step by step?
2. What tools do you need to drill into brick?
3. Which cordless hammer drill suits your brick project?
4. Which masonry bit should you use to drill into brick?
5. How should you set the hole location and depth?
6. How do you keep the bit straight and control dust?
7. What mistakes should you avoid when drilling into brick?
8. What should you do if the drill won't go through the brick?
9. How do you fit an anchor after drilling?
10. What should you do if the brick cracks?
11. How do you decide how to drill into brick?

To drill into brick with a cordless drill, use a masonry bit, hold the drill square to the wall, and work slowly. A hammer drill is the right choice for hard brick and repeated holes, while a regular cordless drill may handle a small hole in softer brick.

Before you start, check the anchor instructions, choose a sound spot in the brick, and look for hidden wires or pipes. Wear eye protection and a dust mask, and keep other people clear of the work area.

How do you drill into brick step by step?

Mark the hole, begin slowly, drill to the required depth, and clear out the dust. Use hammer mode for tough brick if your drill has it, but start gently so the bit does not skate.

1. Choose a masonry bit that matches the anchor instructions and fits the drill chuck.
2. Mark the hole away from brick edges, cracks, and mortar joints.
3. Mark the required depth on the bit with tape or set a depth stop.
4. Set the drill to low speed and hold it square to the wall.
5. Start with light pressure until the bit makes a shallow guide mark.
6. Drill steadily, pausing to withdraw the bit and clear dust.
7. Stop at the marked depth, then remove loose dust from the hole.

Don't push hard to make the bit cut faster. If the drill stalls, the bit gets very hot, or the brick begins to crack, stop and check your setup.

What tools do you need to drill into brick?

Use a cordless drill, a masonry bit, eye protection, and a dust mask. A depth mark helps you stop where the anchor needs the hole to end.

Check the drill manual to see whether it has hammer mode and how to select it. With a regular drill, use steady pressure and allow more time, especially in hard brick.

Keep the work area clear and hold the drill with both hands when possible. Before drilling, check for electrical cables, plumbing, or other hidden services in the wall.

Which cordless hammer drill suits your brick project?

Choose a hammer drill for hard brick, repeated holes, or a project where a regular drill struggles. For one small hole in softer brick, a regular cordless drill with a masonry bit may be enough.

The Craftsman V20 CMCD711C2 kit suits a homeowner who needs a hammer drill and wants batteries and a charger included. Its 1/2 in chuck, two-speed gearbox, and 25,500 beats per minute make it a practical fit for brick and other household drilling; skip it if you already have a compatible drill system and only need a bare tool.

The Makita XPH14Z suits someone already using Makita 18V LXT batteries who wants a compact brushless hammer driver-drill for drilling and fastening. It reaches up to 31,500 beats per minute, but it is tool only, so skip it if you need a complete kit or don't own a compatible battery and charger.

For more detail on mode selection and safe technique, see how to use a hammer drill at home. If you're choosing a drill for several household jobs, the cordless drill buying guide explains the main features to compare.

Which masonry bit should you use to drill into brick?

Use a masonry bit that matches the hole diameter and fits the drill chuck. The anchor instructions determine the correct diameter, so choose the bit after choosing the anchor.

The DeWalt DW5207 is a 7-piece percussion masonry bit set for someone who needs several common diameters for brick and other masonry. Its carbide tips and four-flute design are made for masonry drilling; skip it if you only need one specific size or your drill uses a bit that the set doesn't fit.

Check the bit for wear before starting. A blunt or damaged bit can wander, cut slowly, and create extra heat.

How should you set the hole location and depth?

Place the hole in sound brick, away from edges and loose mortar joints. Use the anchor instructions to set the diameter and depth.

Mark the position with a pencil, then measure the depth the anchor requires. Wrap tape around the bit at that point as a visible stop, or use a depth stop if your drill has one.

If the fixture needs more than one fastener, mark every hole before drilling. Check that the layout is level and that each hole avoids brick edges, existing cracks, and mortar joints.

How do you keep the bit straight and control dust?

Hold the drill at a right angle to the wall and keep the bit aligned as it cuts. Start at low speed to make a shallow guide mark before increasing pressure.

Brick dust can spill from the hole, so keep your face out of its path and wear eye protection. Pause now and then to withdraw the bit and clear dust from the hole.

Don't use water to control dust unless the tool and work area are designed for wet drilling. Keep the drill, battery, and electrical connections dry.

What mistakes should you avoid when drilling into brick?

Avoid rushing, forcing the drill, and drilling before matching the bit to the anchor. These mistakes can leave a poor hole, overheat the bit, or damage the brick.

Starting at high speed can make the bit skate across the surface. Too much pressure can stall the drill or make the bit hot, while an angled start can leave a hole that won't hold the anchor as intended.

Don't drill close to the edge of a brick or into a loose mortar joint unless the fixture instructions call for it. Stop if a crack appears, the bit binds, or the drill stops making progress.

What should you do if the drill won't go through the brick?

Stop if the drill struggles, the bit overheats, or the hole stops getting deeper. Check that the bit is for masonry, the shank is secure, and the drill is in the right mode.

A regular drill can take longer in hard brick. If you have a hammer drill, switch to hammer mode when the wall and tool allow it, and follow the drill manual.

Let a hot bit cool before continuing. Don't lean your full weight on the drill or force a bit that has become stuck.

For concrete walls, the material and drilling approach differ; see how to drill into concrete with a hammer drill.

How do you fit an anchor after drilling?

Clear loose dust from the hole, then fit an anchor that matches the hole and the load. Follow the anchor maker's instructions for insertion and screw size.

The Kurui 350-piece kit suits common wall-hanging jobs when you want several anchor and screw sizes organized together. It contains 175 plastic anchors and 175 galvanized Phillips wood screws in 5 sizes; skip it if your fixture needs a specific heavy-duty fixing or a load rating you can't confirm for the wall.

Don't assume that any plastic anchor can support a heavy shelf or fixture. Check the anchor instructions and use a fixing rated for the load and wall material.

For help matching an anchor and bit, read what size drill bit you need for wall anchors. If you need to replace the bit before the next hole, see how to change a drill bit on a cordless drill.

What should you do if the brick cracks?

Stop drilling if a crack appears or grows. Move the hole only after checking that the new spot will still support the fixture and stay clear of edges and mortar joints.

Don't hide a damaged hole by forcing an oversized anchor into it. Use an appropriate repair or choose a new location with a fixing suited to the wall.

How do you decide how to drill into brick?

Use a regular cordless drill for a few small holes in softer brick, and choose a hammer drill for hard brick or repeated work. Match the masonry bit to the anchor, mark the depth, and keep the drill straight as you cut.

The Craftsman kit fits buyers who need batteries and a charger; the Makita suits owners of compatible 18V LXT batteries who want a tool only. Choose the DeWalt set for several masonry bit sizes, and the Kurui kit for common light wall-hanging jobs with multiple anchor sizes.

Follow the anchor maker's instructions for hole size and load. If you need to change the bit, use our guide to changing a drill bit on a cordless drill.

Frequently asked questions

Can you drill into brick with a regular cordless drill?

Yes, a regular cordless drill with a masonry bit can make small holes in softer brick, though it may take longer. Choose a hammer drill for hard brick or repeated holes.

Begin without hammer action on fragile masonry, and stop if the bit overheats or the drill struggles.

Should you drill into brick or mortar?

For most wall anchors, aim for sound brick, away from edges and mortar joints, unless the fixture instructions say otherwise. Mortar is softer and can crumble under a load.

Check the wall and anchor requirements before drilling, especially for heavy items.

How do you keep a drill bit from wandering on brick?

Mark the spot, then start at low speed with light pressure to make a shallow guide mark. Keep the drill square to the wall as the hole begins.

A small punch mark can help, but don't strike hard enough to crack the brick.

How deep should a hole be for a brick wall anchor?

Drill to the depth required by the anchor and fixture, leaving room for the full anchor without forcing it. Mark that depth on the bit with tape or use a depth stop.

Check the anchor instructions for the matching bit diameter and hole depth.