| Parameter | Hot Rolled Steel | Cold Drawn Steel |
| Manufacturing process | Hot rolling | Cold drawing |
| Surface finish | Rough and black | Smooth and bright |
| Mechanical properties | Lower tensile strength and yield strength | Higher tensile strength and yield strength |
| Cost | Less expensive | More expensive |
| Dimensional tolerances | Less precise | More precise |
| Straightness | Less straight | More straight |
| Workability | Harder to work with | Easier to work with |
| Corrosion resistance | Lower | Higher |
| Magnetic properties | Magnetic | Magnetic |
| Machinability | Worse | Better |
| Elongation | 20-30% | 15-20% |
| Visual appearance | Rough and black | Smooth and bright |
| Net cost of using bright bar vs black bar | 10% less expensive | 10% more expensive |
| Heat treatment | Can be heat treated to improve mechanical properties | Not typically heat treated |
| Speed of turning | Slower | Faster |
| Depth of cut | Less | More |
| Scrap loss | More | Less |
| Time needed per part | Longer | Shorter |
| Cost per part | Higher | Lower |