How to Properly Use a Screwdriver | Fit, Grip, and Turn

Whether you’re hanging a picture or assembling furniture, a screwdriver seems simple—until a stripped head or a slipped tip turns a two-minute job into a frustrating one. The right technique prevents both, and it protects your hands from the injuries a twisting tool can cause. It all comes down to three things: the right fit, a straight line, and controlled turns.

Choose the Correct Tip and Size

The single most important rule is matching the driver to the screw. The tip must fill the recess completely—snugly, with no wobble. A Phillips driver forced into a Pozidriv screw, for instance, can slip and chew up the head, as safety guidance from the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) notes.

Check the screw head shape first. Slotted screws need a flat tip that fits the slot’s width and depth. Phillips and Pozidriv look similar but are not interchangeable. Torx and hex heads demand their matching star or six-sided drivers. When in doubt, test the fit: the driver should seat fully into the recess and stand straight without you holding it.

Use the largest driver size that fits snugly, advises iFixit’s Screwdriver Best Practices guide. A too-small tip concentrates force on a tiny contact patch, which is what causes cam-out and stripping. A too-large tip simply won’t seat. If you’re working on delicate electronics or stubborn furniture screws, the right size matters more than the brand.

Position the Driver and Turn Correctly

Insert the tip fully into the screw head before you turn. Keep the shaft aligned with the screw’s axis—tilted drivers slip and damage both the fastener and your workpiece. Apply firm downward pressure while you turn, just enough to maintain contact. If the screw is properly fitted and the hole is piloted, it should draw itself in with minimal force.

Turn clockwise to tighten, counterclockwise to loosen. That sounds obvious, but it’s easy to forget when you’re upside-down under a desk. If you meet resistance, stop and reassess rather than leaning on the tool. Forcing it further risks stripping the head or snapping the screw.

For wood, the Infrastructure Health and Safety Association (IHSA) recommends drilling a pilot hole first, then starting the screw with a few soft finger turns before switching to the handle. A pilot hole keeps the screw straight and prevents the wood from splitting.

Avoid These Common Mistakes

Most screwdriver injuries and failures come from predictable errors. Name them, and you’ll sidestep them:

• Wrong tip type or size. This is the top cause of cam-out and stripped heads. Check the fit before you turn.
• Driving at an angle. A tilted driver kills control and damages the fastener.
• Excessive force. Lean on the tool and you’ll slip when the screw finally gives.
• Holding the workpiece by hand. CCOHS recommends a vise or clamp for small or unstable pieces—your fingers shouldn’t be the backup.
• Using a screwdriver as a pry bar, chisel, or paint stirrer. These tools are designed for one job, and using them otherwise bends tips and causes injuries.
• Putting pliers on the handle for extra torque. A wrench belongs only on a square shank designed for that purpose, per CCOHS and IHSA guidance.

One more: never grind a tip down to fit multiple screw sizes. It ruins the fit and creates a dangerous tool, CCOHS cautions explicitly.

Electrical Work Has Its Own Rules

Standard screwdrivers are not electrical tools. For live or potentially live circuits, CCOHS specifies insulated handles and a non-conducting shaft rated for electrical work. Shut off power before working on any electrical equipment—even with a properly rated tool, the safest circuit is a dead one. If you’re working near wiring, a proper electrician’s screwdriver is worth the investment; our tested roundup of the best electrician screwdrivers shows which insulated models actually hold up and stay safe on the job.

For live electrical work beyond a simple swap, consider calling a licensed electrician. The rules above cover manual screwdriving across slotted, Phillips, Pozidriv, and Torx fasteners, but a misstep with electricity is not a learning opportunity.

The cleanest way to avoid frustration is to stop and check your setup before you turn. Match the tip, line up the shaft, and apply steady pressure. That’s the whole trick—the rest is practice. If a screw is stubborn, get a properly sized driver designed for the job rather than forcing it. And for tight spots, CCOHS recommends screw-holding or offset screwdrivers instead of awkward angles that compromise your grip.