Yes, SDS and SDS Plus bits are interchangeable. Both use a 10mm shank and fit into the same chuck, so you can use either type in any drill labeled SDS or SDS Plus without adapters or modifications. SDS Plus is simply an updated version of the original SDS design, and the two systems remain fully cross-compatible.
Why SDS and SDS Plus Share the Same Fit
SDS stands for “Stecken, Drehen, Sitzt,” a German phrase meaning “Insert, Twist, Fits.” Bosch developed the system to let users swap bits quickly without a key or tightening mechanism. You pull back the chuck collar, slide the bit in, twist slightly, and it locks into place.
SDS Plus came later as a refinement of that original design. The shank diameter stayed at 10mm, keeping backward compatibility. The difference is in the groove pattern: original SDS bits have two grooves on the shank, while SDS Plus bits have four (two open and two closed). Those extra grooves improve how securely the bit locks in and how efficiently the hammer mechanism transfers energy. But because the shank diameter and basic locking geometry are the same, either bit slides into either chuck without issue.
In practice, nearly every rotary hammer sold today in the lighter-duty category uses the SDS Plus standard. If you find an older SDS bit in your toolbox, it will work in your current SDS Plus drill. And if someone hands you an SDS Plus bit for an older SDS machine, that works too.
SDS Max Is a Different System Entirely
The interchangeability between SDS and SDS Plus does not extend to SDS Max. SDS Max uses an 18mm shank, nearly twice the diameter of the 10mm SDS Plus shank. It also has a different groove configuration: three open grooves with a locking segment. You physically cannot insert an SDS Plus bit into an SDS Max chuck, or vice versa. The shanks are completely different sizes.
SDS Max is designed for heavier drilling and demolition work, the kind of jobs that require larger rotary hammers. SDS Plus covers lighter tasks like drilling into concrete for anchors, running conduit, or setting fasteners in masonry. The two systems serve different weight classes of tool, and the incompatibility is intentional.
Adapters for Cross-System Use
If you own an SDS Max rotary hammer but need to use smaller SDS Plus bits, adapters do exist. These slip into the SDS Max chuck and accept an SDS Plus bit on the other end. They’re widely available from tool retailers and online. However, adapters add length to your setup, which can reduce precision and increase wobble. They also change how impact energy transfers to the bit, which can mean slower drilling and more wear on both the adapter and the bit. For occasional use they’re a reasonable workaround, but if you regularly need both sizes, owning a drill in each system is the better long-term choice.
Brand-Specific Names for the Same Thing
Some manufacturers use proprietary names for what is functionally the SDS Plus standard. Hilti, for example, labels their SDS Plus bits as “TE-C.” If you see TE-C on a Hilti product page, that bit fits any SDS Plus rotary hammer, not just Hilti drills. The SDS Plus shank is an industry-wide standard, so bits from Bosch, Makita, DeWalt, Hilti, and other brands all fit each other’s SDS Plus machines.
How to Identify What You Have
If you’re unsure whether a bit is SDS Plus or SDS Max, the quickest check is the shank diameter. Grab a ruler or caliper: 10mm means SDS or SDS Plus, 18mm means SDS Max. You can also count the grooves. SDS Plus bits have four indentations near the base of the shank (two open slots and two shallow closed ones). SDS Max bits have three open grooves that are visibly wider and deeper.
The bit diameter itself doesn’t tell you the system. Both SDS Plus and SDS Max are available in a range of drilling diameters. It’s always the shank, the smooth section that inserts into the chuck, that determines compatibility.