ISO 5468:2017 specifies, in millimetres, the dimensions of rotary and rotary-impact masonry drill bits with hardmetal tips in the 4–25 mm diameter range, organised in three length series (short, long, extra-long), and explicitly states it does not apply to hammer drills [S1][S3]. The standard was published on 24 February 2017 by ISO/TC 29/SC 9, sits in ICS 25.100.30 (Drills, countersinks, reamers), and was confirmed in the systematic review cycle closing 29 August 2026 [S3].
Procurement pages frequently misread this scope, listing "ISO 5468" beside SDS-Plus or SDS-Max shanks; PGM (Prüfgemeinschaft Mauerbohrer) has published technical guidance stating that for hammer drill bits with SDS shank no conformity with ISO 5468 can be declared, because the standard covers cylindrical-shank rotary and rotary-impact masonry bits [S6]. This is the single most consequential boundary line for any drill-bit specification.
Scope and Dimensional Boundaries of ISO 5468:2017
ISO 5468:2017 limits its dimensional coverage to hardmetal-tipped masonry bits with nominal diameters from 4 mm to 25 mm inclusive, in three length series: short, long and extra-long [S1][S3]. Diameter is measured between the cutting edges, excluding any paint or protective coating, and the working length is the minimum length protruding from the chuck (Figure 1 of the standard) [S3]. The standard tabulates overall length, working length, shank diameter, carbide-tip height and shoulder geometry with tolerances in Table 1 [S3].
Edition 2 of the standard (ISO 5468:1992) was withdrawn on 19 April 2006 after systematic reviews in 1997, 2002 and a revision decision in February 2004; it was superseded by ISO 5468:2006, which in turn was superseded by ISO 5468:2017, the current edition [S1][S3]. The 2017 edition is 4 pages in English (5 in French) and is mapped to ISO 13399 tool-data representation in Annex A, allowing direct ingestion of dimensions into CAD/CAM and tool-management systems [S3].
Cylindrical Shank vs SDS Shank: The Procurement Boundary
DIN 8039 and ISO 5468 belong in the straight-shank masonry drill bit lane, not as SDS-Plus or SDS-Max shank standards, and using them as such on an SDS product page conflates a masonry-bit dimensional standard with a rotary-hammer chuck interface [S4]. A typical Bosch DIY range marketed as "Masonry Drill Bit manufactured to ISO 5468" lists shank diameters of 2.5 mm (for 3 mm Ø bits), 3.2 mm (4 mm Ø), 4 mm (5 mm Ø) and 4.8 mm (6 mm Ø), with overall lengths of 60–200 mm and working lengths of 30–150 mm, all on cylindrical or reduced shanks for three-jaw chucks [S5].
PGM's stated position is that for hammer drill bits with SDS shank, ISO 5468 conformity should not be declared, because the standard covers cylindrical-shank rotary and rotary-impact masonry bits [S6]. A spec writer who needs anchor-grade hole quality on an SDS-Plus system should reference PGM certification, which checks the actual hole diameter, symmetry and concentricity produced by the bit, rather than the bit's own dimensional conformance [S4][S6]. For a primer on the drill family itself, see the impact drill vs hammer drill vs impact driver comparison.
Length Series, Diameter Tolerances and Tip Geometry
The three length series in ISO 5468:2017 (short, long, extra-long) correspond to the typical masonry fixing depths used with M6–M16 anchor sleeves, sleeve bolts and frame fixings, with overall lengths typically 60 mm, 100 mm and 150 mm for a 6 mm diameter bit, and proportionally longer for larger diameters [S3][S5]. The standard gives the carbide-tip height and shoulder geometry numerically in Table 1, which governs how the hardmetal insert is brazed into the flute body and how the cutting edge is presented to the workpiece [S3].
A representative point-check: a 10 mm Ø ISO 5468 bit from the Phantom range is listed at 120 mm overall length and 80 mm working length, sitting inside the "long" series and suitable for standard wall-plug and frame-fix depths in masonry and lightweight concrete [S7]. The standard does not specify carbide grade, braze alloy, brazing strength, surface coating, drilling speed or rebar tolerance, all of which remain proprietary to the manufacturer [S4]. This is why ISO 5468 alone is not a hammer-bit or anchor-bit claim.
ISO 5468 Compared with DIN 8039 and PGM Certification
Three certifications appear together on masonry drill-bit datasheets, and they answer different questions. ISO 5468:2017 is a dimensional standard for hardmetal-tipped rotary and rotary-impact masonry bits, 4–25 mm, three length series, cylindrical shank only [S1][S3]. DIN 8039 is the European dimensional standard for the same straight-shank carbide masonry / concrete drill bit family, paired with ISO 5468 in supplier catalogues for diameter, total length, working length and shank format [S4]. PGM is an independent quality mark for the anchor hole actually produced: hole diameter, symmetry, concentricity and roundness tolerance across multiple drilled holes [S4][S6].
Use the standards accordingly: cite ISO 5468 and/or DIN 8039 for straight-shank bit dimensional conformance; cite PGM when anchor safety or ETA (European Technical Assessment) of the fastener system depends on the hole geometry; never cite ISO 5468 as proof of SDS shank fit, because the standard's scope ends at the cylindrical shank [S4][S6].
What ISO 5468 Does Not Cover
ISO 5468:2017 explicitly excludes hammer drills (i.e. SDS-Plus, SDS-Max and similar rotary-hammer bit systems), and the standard does not specify carbide grade, braze strength, surface treatment, concentricity class, drilling speed, rebar behaviour or anchor-hole accuracy [S3][S6]. A spec writer who treats ISO 5468 as a universal masonry-bit badge will get a conforming bit that may still be the wrong tool for an SDS rotary hammer or a safety-critical anchor installation [S4][S6].
The PGM technical note is the cleanest rule: for hammer drill bits with SDS shank, no conformity with ISO 5468 can be declared [S6]. PGM certification, on the other hand, applies to the anchor hole and is the appropriate signal where ETA or fastener approvals require a verified hole geometry [S4][S6].
Specification Language for Tenders and RFQs
A correct masonry drill-bit line item reads: "Carbide-tipped straight-shank masonry drill bit, dimensions to ISO 5468:2017, diameter X mm, length series (short/long/extra-long), cylindrical shank of Y mm, suitable for three-jaw chuck rotary and rotary-impact drilling"; a separate line item is then used for any SDS-Plus or SDS-Max bit, cited by shank type and head geometry rather than ISO 5468 [S3][S4][S5]. For the rotary-percussion operating mode itself, see the masonry drilling operating mode reference.
Trackable signals: monitor ISO/TC 29/SC 9 for any future scope expansion of ISO 5468 toward SDS shanks, and watch the PGM technical bulletins for any change to the hole-tolerance classes currently cited by ETA-approved anchor systems. The 29 August 2026 systematic-review confirmation of ISO 5468:2017 indicates the current edition is stable for the next review cycle [S3].
For the relevant spec sheets and selection criteria, see impact drill, and rotary drilling rig.