Drywall anchor selector
Tell it what you're hanging or how much it weighs — get the right drywall anchor, the drill bit to install it, and its weight rating.
How much will it hold?
…or pick what you’re hanging
Recommended anchor
Best for 10–25 lb
Self-drilling (threaded) anchor
Install · Drive it straight into the drywall with a screwdriver — no pilot hole — then drive your screw into it. Metal ones hold more than nylon.
Also works
Always check the anchor packaging for the exact bit size — ratings vary by brand and drywall thickness.
First: can you hit a stud?
Before you reach for an anchor, check for a stud. A screw driven straight into a stud holds far more than any drywall anchor — for heavy things (a TV mount, a loaded cabinet, a big shelf) that’s the right answer, not an anchor. How to find a stud →
Only the hollow spots between studs need an anchor. When you do, the selector above matches the weight to the anchor, the drill bit and the rating — but the exact bit and load are on the anchor packaging, and both vary by brand and by how thick your drywall is.
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Full drywall anchor chart
Drywall anchor reference chart
| Anchor type | Typical hold | Drill bit to install | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plastic expansion anchor | 5–20 lb | Matches the anchor — commonly 3/16"–1/4" | Light pictures, small décor, hooks |
| Self-drilling (threaded) anchor | 25–50 lb | None — it drills its own hole (no pilot) | Coat hooks, small shelves, towel bars — the easy all-rounder |
| Molly bolt (hollow-wall anchor) | 25–50 lb | Per the anchor — commonly 1/4"–3/8" | Medium shelves, towel bars, wall fixtures |
| Toggle bolt (or strap toggle) | 50–100+ lb | Big enough for the folded wings — commonly 1/2"–3/4" (strap toggles ~1/2") | Heavy mirrors, TV mounts, cabinets — the strongest drywall anchor |
Ratings and bit sizes vary by brand and drywall thickness — the exact bit is printed on the anchor packaging, so treat these as typical values (into standard ½" drywall). Into a stud, skip the anchor — a screw driven into a stud holds far more than any anchor.
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Common questions
What drill bit for a drywall anchor?
It depends on the anchor, and the exact size is printed on the packaging (it varies by brand). As a guide: plastic expansion anchors use a bit that matches the anchor body (commonly 3/16"–1/4"); molly bolts about 1/4"–3/8"; toggle bolts need a larger hole for the folded wings, commonly 1/2"–3/4". Self-drilling (threaded) anchors need no bit at all — they drill their own hole. Always check the package for the exact size.
What anchor holds 50 lbs in drywall?
For around 50 lb, a molly (hollow-wall) anchor or a metal self-drilling anchor works, and a toggle bolt is the strongest — a 1/4" toggle can hold roughly 90 lb in ½" drywall. Ratings vary by brand and wall thickness, so check the packaging. For anything this heavy, if you can hit a stud, screw into it instead — a stud holds far more than any anchor.
What size hole for a toggle bolt?
A traditional spring-wing toggle bolt needs a hole big enough for the folded wings to pass through — commonly 1/2" to 3/4", with a bigger toggle needing a bigger hole. Strap or “snap” toggles (like a Snaptoggle) use a smaller hole, around 1/2", and are easier to set. Check the packaging for the exact bit.
Where these numbers come from
Anchor weight ranges and bit sizes are typical values cross-referenced across common sources (The Home Depot, Family Handyman, Bob Vila) for standard ½" drywall, and lean conservative. They are not a single universal spec: real ratings and the exact install bit vary by brand and by drywall thickness, and the precise bit is printed on the anchor packaging — always use that. A screw into a stud is stronger than any of these.
Anchor ratings and drill-bit sizes vary by brand and by drywall thickness — always follow the size and weight limit printed on the anchor packaging. For heavy or safety-critical loads, fasten into a stud or use the manufacturer's specified hardware.