Wall Anchor Capacity
When shopping for wall anchors, check the product information for the capacity of an anchor and its uses:
- Wall types indicate what materials the anchors are compatible with.
- A thickness measurement tells you which types of drywall the anchors work with.
- Drill bit size on some anchors indicates the bit you need to drill a pilot hole for the anchor. Some anchors include the bit.
- Screw size for the anchor indicates the screws that fit the anchor. Anchor kits often include compatible screws.
Keep in mind:
- Weight capacity for any anchor varies by wall type.
- Weight ratings usually refer to flush-mounted items like pictures. Weight capacity for items that extend outward from the wall, like shelves, is always lower.
- A manufacturer might recommend using an anchor to support only 25% of the rated weight capacity.
- If an anchor is suitable for use in a ceiling, it has a specific, lower weight limit for that application.
- Multiple wall anchors distribute the load of an item but don’t necessarily give you additional weight capacity for the item.
You can also find anchors for use in concrete and masonry. See our concrete and masonry anchors guide to learn about the different types available.
Types of Drywall Anchors
To find the best anchors for your project:
- Find anchors that are compatible with your wall.
- Find anchors that can support the weight of the items you need to hang.
- Find anchors designed for your application.
We’ll show you the most common types of drywall anchors, the general weight ranges they can support and their typical uses. While we focus on drywall anchors for this guide, many of these anchors are suitable for other wall types.
Use the information in this article as a general guide. An anchor of a specific type might support more or less weight than the estimates below. Always follow the manufacturer’s specifications, recommendations and instructions.
Plastic Expansion Anchors
Also known as ribbed wall anchors, plastic expansion anchors are some of the most common types of anchors. As you drive a screw into the anchor body, the body expands within the wall and splits behind the wall, helping prevent the screw from pulling out.
Benefits
- Inexpensive
- Often included with items that require wall mounting
- Work in concrete and brick, in addition to drywall.
Duty Rating
Light duty
Typical Estimated Ultimate Weight Range in Drywall Walls
5 to 25 pounds, depending on the anchor and wall
Common Uses
- Small framed pictures
- Small mirrors
- Small shelves for décor items
Winged Plastic Anchors
Winged plastic anchors expand like standard plastic anchors, but the wing design adds holding power. As you drive the screw into the anchor, the screw threads pull a pair of plastic wings or flanges against the back of the drywall, helping prevent the anchor from pulling out of the wall.
Benefits
- Relatively inexpensive
- Better holding power than expansion anchors
- Can work in tile, brick and concrete, in addition to drywall
Duty Rating
Light to medium duty
Typical Estimated Ultimate Weight Range in Drywall Walls
35 to 65 pounds, depending on the anchor and wall
Common Uses
- Curtain rods
- Pictures
- Mirrors
- Shelves
- Towel bars
In addition to wall anchors, you can find different types of picture hangers for photographs and artwork. See our picture-hanging project for examples and step-by-step instructions.
Self-Drilling Screw Anchors
As the name suggests, self-drilling wall anchors don’t require a pre-drilled pilot hole for installation like most other anchors. Also known as threaded anchors, these plastic or metal anchors have drive surfaces, threads and pointed tips just like a screw. The wide threads provide gripping power in the wall. Some plastic self-drilling anchors also split or expand in the wall cavity to create additional resistance to pullout.
Benefits
- Easy installation and removal with a screwdriver
- Can install into studs (metal self-drilling anchors)
- Reusable (metal self-drilling anchors)
Duty Rating
Medium duty
Typical Estimated Ultimate Weight Range in Drywall Walls
50 to 75 pounds, depending on the anchor and wall
Common Uses
- Wall hooks
- Towel bars
- Curtain rods
- Blinds
- Shelves
Molly Bolts
Molly bolts or hollow wall anchors are metal wall anchors that feature four or five flanges to provide holding power. As with winged plastic anchors, driving a screw into the anchor expands the wings and forces them against the back of the wall, but the metal construction and additional wings give molly bolts greater strength.
Benefits- Available for some ceiling applications
- Suitable for plywood, plaster, brick, concrete block and tile, in addition to drywall
Duty Rating
Medium to heavy duty
Typical Estimated Ultimate Weight Range in Drywall Walls
25 to 95 pounds, depending on the anchor and wall
Common Uses
- Artwork
- Mirrors
- Framed pictures
- Shelves
Pop Toggle Wall Anchors
Like winged plastic anchors, pop toggle anchors rely on wings or flanges for their holding power. However, pop toggle anchors are suitable for heavier items. These anchors include a key that pops the flanges out once you install the anchor body.
Benefits
- Available for some ceiling applications
- Locking action for extra resistance to pullout
Duty Rating
Medium to heavy duty
Typical Estimated Ultimate Weight Range in Drywall Walls
40 to 155 pounds, depending on the anchor and wall
Common Uses
- Mirrors
- Towel bars
- Shelves
Hanging large mirrors so that they’re level and secure can be a challenge. See our guide to hanging heavy mirrors for step-by-step instructions.
Toggle Bolts
With a metal component that tightens against the back of the wall, toggle bolts and toggle anchors offer greater strength than other types of drywall anchors. There are two main types of toggle anchors, the traditional wing toggle bolt (left of the image) and the newer channel toggle bolt (right of the image). They have similar functionality, but the channel toggle bolt has a higher weight capacity in comparable applications.
Benefits
- Available for ceiling applications
- Suitable for plywood, plaster and concrete block, in addition to drywall
Duty Rating
Heavy duty
Typical Estimated Ultimate Weight Range in Drywall Walls
140 to 150 pounds (wing), depending on the anchor and wall
160 to 265 pounds (channel), depending on the anchor and wall
Common Uses
- Stair railings
- Televisions
- Grab bars
- Cabinets
Once you find the right anchor, take a look at our tips for installing wall anchors. We’ve also got instructions for removing several common types of wall anchors.
Find the Drywall and Hollow Wall Anchors You Need at Lowe’s
Whether you’re hanging a couple of photographs or mounting a television on a wall, Lowe’s has the anchors you need to hang your items securely. From inexpensive and light-duty expansion anchors to heavy-duty toggle bolts, we can help you find the anchors you need for any project. Shop Lowes.com for different types of drywall and hollow wall anchors, compare weight ratings and see common applications for the anchors. We’ve also got general tips for hanging items on your wall. Stop by your local Lowe’s and talk with a Red Vest Associate about your project. They’ll help you find the right wall anchors and make sure you have the tools you need for installation.