
The colours on nail drill bits indicate the coarseness of the burr. The coarseness, or 'grit', refers to how rough the burr is. The colours are standardised internationally, with yellow indicating extra fine grit, red indicating fine grit, blue indicating medium grit, green indicating coarse grit, black indicating extra coarse grit, yellow xx coarse grit, and pink indicating killer 3x coarse grit.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Colour | Yellow, Red, Blue, Green, Black, Pink |
| Coarseness | X fine, Fine, Medium, Coarse, Extra Coarse, XX Coarse, 3X Coarse |
| Other | The colour stripe indicates the coarseness of the burr |
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What You'll Learn
- The colour of a nail drill bit indicates its coarseness
- The colour stripe on a burr is not to make it look pretty
- The colour code can be good for seeing the difference in fine and extra fine
- The colour of the bit indicates whether it is fine or coarse
- The texture and grit of a drill bit dictate its level of aggressiveness

The colour of a nail drill bit indicates its coarseness
The colours of the drill bits are standardised internationally, with yellow indicating an extra fine grit, red indicating a fine grit, blue indicating a medium grit, green indicating a coarse grit, black indicating an extra coarse grit, yellow xx coarse, and pink indicating a killer 3x coarse grit.
The colour-coding system is useful for distinguishing between the different grits, especially for those who may struggle to see the small details that differentiate the bits. However, as there are so many variants, it is always best to check the description of the drill bit to be sure of its coarseness.
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The colour stripe on a burr is not to make it look pretty
The colour stripe can also indicate the type of grit. For instance, red usually indicates a fine grit, while blue indicates a medium grit. However, there are many variants and it is always best to check with the manufacturer to see their specific colour code.
The original colour of tungsten carbide bits is also significant, as these bits are sharper than those with a coating. Carbide bits are ideal for removing acrylics and other enhancements, but they are not recommended for use directly on natural nails.
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The colour code can be good for seeing the difference in fine and extra fine
The colour of nail drill bits can indicate the bit size. The primary colour represents the largest bit size, while the secondary colour indicates the next smallest bit size. For example, a black drill bit with a yellow band represents a 7/32″ drill bit, while a white drill bit with a blue band represents a 1/4″ drill bit.
Some brands use colour to indicate whether the bit is fine or coarse. Different colours represent different grits. For example, red is fine grit, and blue is medium grit. However, there are many variants, and it's always best to check the brand's description.
The colour code can be useful for distinguishing between fine and extra-fine grits, especially for those who have difficulty seeing small details. The colour stripes on burrs (used for sanding and filing) can also make them more visually appealing.
Additionally, the original colour of tungsten carbide bits indicates that they are sharper than coated bits. Carbide bits are ideal for removing acrylics and other enhancements but are not recommended for use directly on natural nails.
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The colour of the bit indicates whether it is fine or coarse
Some brands use colour markings to indicate whether the bit is fine or coarse. Different colours mean different grits. For example, red is fine grit, blue is medium, and green is coarse. However, there are many variants and it is always best to check with the producer brand to see their description of what each colour means.
The colours are by international convention and will always be as follows: yellow is X fine, red is fine, blue is medium, green is coarse, black is extra coarse, yellow xx coarse, and killer 3X coarse is pink.
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The texture and grit of a drill bit dictate its level of aggressiveness
Some brands use colour to indicate if the bit is fine or coarse. Different colours represent different grits. For example, red is fine grit and blue is medium grit, but there are many variants and it's always best to check with the brand to see their specific colour code.
The original colour of tungsten carbide bits is sharper than bits with a coating. Carbide bits are ideal for removing acrylics and other enhancements, but they are not recommended for use directly on natural nails. An extra coarse grit is best for removing acrylic and gel overlays. A coarse grit is suggested for use on the sidewall and also shaping both the fingernails and the toenails.
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Frequently asked questions
The colours indicate the coarseness of the burr. The coarseness of the burr is also known as the grit. The higher the grit, the finer the burr.
Red means the burr is fine.
Black means the burr is extra coarse.

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