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Concrete Anchors and Masonry Anchors: Types and Uses

Marc McCollough

By Marc McCollough
Published July 15, 2025

Concrete and masonry anchors let you install items in solid concrete, concrete block and brick. Understanding how the anchors work and the loads they support is key to finding the right anchor for any project. Learn about common concrete and masonry anchors, load examples and typical uses.

Concrete and Masonry Anchor Capacities

Reading the anchor product information, packaging and documentation helps you understand the correct use, safe capacities and suitable applications for a specific anchor. In addition to the type of material the anchor is suitable for:

  • Measurements help you choose the anchor and the drill bit to create the pilot hole.
  • Performance and technical data provide specifics about load capacities.
  • Tension or pullout values indicate how the anchor resists straight pullout from the material.
  • Shear values indicate the capacity of the anchor to support a load or weight perpendicular to the anchor.
  • Application and project information indicate factors like wall or ceiling use and examples of items the anchor is suitable for.

Keep in mind:

  • Building codes specify specific anchor types for some applications.
  • Load capacity varies by factors such as anchor material, type, size, installation depth, installation material and whether the anchor is in a ceiling, wall or floor.
  • Manufacturers recommend loads no greater than 25% of the ultimate load capacity of an anchor.
  • Installing and spacing anchors incorrectly reduces their load capacity.
  • Pilot holes typically need to be a specific diameter and depth and free of dust.

Caution

A specific anchor might be rated for more or less weight than the estimates below. Safe working loads are significantly lower than the ultimate load estimates. If you use a concrete or masonry anchor, you must understand the load of the item you’re securing, the capacity of the anchor in the installation material and proper installation of the anchor.

Types of Concrete and Masonry Anchors

To find the right anchor for your project:

  • Make sure the anchor works with the material you plan to install it in.
  • Make sure the anchor can handle the load of the item it needs to support.
  • Make sure the anchor fits your use location and project.

We explain common concrete and masonry anchors below with general examples of loads they can support. Use this information as a general guide only. Always follow the manufacturer’s specifications, safe load restrictions and instructions for safe use.

Good to Know

You can also find anchors for use in drywall and other interior walls. See our drywall and hollow wall anchor guide.

Nail-Drive Anchors

As the name suggests, you install nail-drive anchors or hammer-set anchors with a hammer. After you insert the anchor into the predrilled pilot hole, hammering the anchor nail forces the anchor body outward, applying tension against the walls of the hole. Use nail-drive anchors for wall-mount applications.

Benefits

  • Tamper resistant
  • Suitable for brick and concrete block, as well as solid concrete 
Duty Rating

Light to medium duty

Example Ultimate Capacities in Solid, 4,000 PSI Concrete  

  • Tension: 590 to 1,200 pounds, depending on anchor and installation
  • Shear: 380 to 1,160 pounds, depending on anchor and installation

Common Uses

  • Security grids
  • Electrical conduit clips
  • Electrical boxes
  • Signs

Good to Know

You can find other concrete anchor bolts, including bolts designed for use with anchoring adhesive and bolts designed to be set in wet concrete.

Some drywall and hollow wall anchors work in concrete and masonry.

Concrete Screws

Concrete screws, also known as concrete anchors or concrete screw anchors, have coarse threads that cut into the walls of the pilot hole, allowing the anchor to grip the material.

Benefits

  • Available for vertical (wall), horizontal (concrete pad or floor) and overhead surfaces
  • Available for use in brick and concrete block, as well as solid concrete

Duty Rating

Light to medium duty

Example Ultimate Capacities in Solid, 4000 PSI Concrete 

  • Tension: 620 to 2,260 pounds, depending on the anchor and installation
  • Shear: 680 to 1,590 pounds, depending on the anchor and installation 

Common Uses

  • Electrical conduit clips
  • Exterior shutters
  • Railings

Lag Shields

With a design that accepts course-thread lag screws, lag shields have a ribbed outer surface that expands against the wall of the anchor pilot hole. The expansion action provides gripping power for the load the screw and shield carry.

Benefits

  • Suitable for overhead applications
  • Suitable for brick and concrete block, as well as solid concrete 
  • Allow for removal of the lag screw and anchor
Duty Rating

Medium duty

Example Ultimate Capacities in Solid, 4,000 PSI Concrete

  • Tension: 300 to 2,865 pounds, depending on anchor and installation
  • Shear: 970 to 2,000 pounds, depending on anchor and installation

Common Uses

  • Mounting equipment
  • Awnings
  • Railings
  • Ornamental signs

Concrete Anchor Bolts

Like concrete screws, concrete anchor bolts rely on the anchor threads to bite into the concrete and provide holding power. However, anchor bolts typically have larger diameters (5/16 to 1/2 of an inch) that make them suitable for greater loads.

Benefits

  • Typically removable
  • Some can work in cracked concrete at lower loads
  • Available for use in brick and concrete block, as well as solid concrete
Duty Rating

Heavy Duty

Example Ultimate Capacities in Solid, 3,000 PSI Concrete  

  • Tension: 2,650 to 7,040 pounds, depending on the anchor and installation
  • Shear: 2,890 to 11,400 pounds, depending on the anchor and installation

Common Uses

  • Equipment anchors
  • Floor safes
  • Stud wall sill plates

Sleeve Anchors

Sleeve anchors rely on expansion of the sleeve component for holding power. Once you insert an anchor into a predrilled hole, turning the head pulls the cone-shaped tip of the screw up, expanding the sleeve against the wall of the hole.

Benefits

  • Permanent installation
  • Available for vertical, (wall) horizontal (concrete pad or floor) and overhead surfaces
  • Suitable for brick and concrete block, as well as solid concrete
Duty Rating

Medium to heavy duty

Example Ultimate Capacities in Solid, 4,000 PSI Concrete  

  • Tension: 1,300 to 8,460 pounds, depending on anchor and installation
  • Shear: 1,150 to 10,040 pounds, depending on anchor and installation

Common Uses

  • Door frames
  • Electrical boxes
  • Shelving ledger boards
  • Machinery anchors

Drop-In Anchors

Drop-in anchors are for use in solid concrete only and, like other anchor types, rely on expansion of the anchor body to provide holding power. Once you insert the internally threaded anchor into a predrilled hole, a setting tool expands the anchor against the walls of the hole and the anchor is ready to receive a bolt.

Benefits

  • Allow for removal and reuse of the bolt
  • Suitable for overhead applications
Duty Rating

Heavy duty

Example Ultimate Capacities in Solid, 4,000 PSI Concrete

  • Tension: 2,240 to 9,000 pounds, depending on anchor and installation
  • Shear: 1,000 to 9,960 pounds, depending on anchor and installation

Common Uses

  • Overhead pipe supports
  • HVAC ducting
  • Fire sprinkler components
  • Lighting fixtures

Wedge Anchors

Concrete wedge anchors, wedge bolts or expansion anchors are only suitable for solid concrete. Similar in function to sleeve anchors, they provide holding power with an expanding clip at the wedged tip of the threaded anchor bolt. Once you insert the anchor into the predrilled hole, tightening the bolt pulls the wedge through the clip, expanding the clip against the sides of the hole.

Benefits

  • Permanent installation
  • High load capacity compared to other anchors
  • Available for overhead applications
Duty Rating

Heavy duty

Example Ultimate Capacities in Solid, 4000 PSI Concrete

  • Tension: 1,690 to 25,210 pounds, depending on anchor and installation
  • Shear: 1,330 to 3,6040 pounds, depending on the anchor and installation

Common Uses

  • Post anchors
  • Machinery Anchors
  • Railings
  • Stud wall sill plates

Caution

Manufacturers supply anchor specifications. For example:

Always follow the manufacturer's recommendations for your anchor. If the information isn’t available with the product, check the manufacturer’s website.

Let Us Help You Find the Right Concrete and Masonry Anchors

There are several types of anchors that provide fastening options when you’re working with solid concrete, concrete block and brick. Common uses for these anchors include mounting signs, railings, posts, electrical boxes and conduit. To find the right anchor for your project, start by making sure the anchor you’re considering is suitable for the material you’re working with and your application. You must pay attention to the anchor capacities for factors such as tension or pullout as well as shear and use according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Note that safe working capacities are typically 25% of the ultimate capacity of the anchor and depend on proper installation.

We’ve got anchors for just about any project. Shop Lowes.com for different anchor types or talk to a Red Vest associate at your local Lowe’s. They can show you anchors with capabilities ranging from light- to heavy-duty holding power and help you choose the right one for your project.

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