How to Install Drywall Anchors | The Right Way

Whether you’re hanging a shelf, towel bar, or a mirror, drywall anchors give screws something solid to bite into. The method varies by anchor type, but the basics are consistent: mark the spot, drill the right pilot hole when required, tap or screw the anchor flush, then drive the screw gently. Getting it wrong means stripped holes and sagging fixtures, so the details matter.

Marking the Spot and Drilling the Pilot Hole

Every drywall anchor install starts with a clear mark. Use a pencil and a level when hanging anything wider than a single point, then confirm you’re not aiming at a stud. Anchors are meant for drywall between studs — if you hit a stud instead, skip the anchor and drive a wood screw directly into it.

The pilot hole is where most installs go sideways. Lowe’s echoes that: measure and mark first, drill perpendicular to the wall, and confirm the bit size from the package before drilling.

Drilling at a slight angle creates an oversized, misshapen hole that the anchor can’t grip. Keep the drill level and steady, and clean out the dust before inserting anything.

Installing the Anchor Flush With the Surface

Once the hole is drilled, set the anchor until its collar is flush with the drywall. Setting it deeper than flush is a common mistake — Lowe’s specifically notes the collar should rest flush and not be pushed beneath the surface. If you drive it in too far, the anchor loses its grip and the screw won’t seat properly.

Different anchors set differently:

• Plastic expansion anchors tap in with a hammer until flush, then the screw expands them behind the wallboard.
• Self-drilling threaded anchors screw directly into drywall with a screwdriver — no pilot hole needed — until the lip sits flush.
• Molly bolts insert into a drilled hole, then tightening the center screw expands the back end against the wall’s interior.

With any of these, resist the urge to over-tighten. Both The Home Depot and Bob Vila’s guide warn that over-tightening strips the anchor or crushes the drywall around it. Stop when the collar touches the wall surface.

Toggle Bolts and Heavier Loads

Toggle bolts work differently and handle heavier weight. The spring-loaded type requires you to remove the toggle from the screw, push the screw through your fixture, then rethread the toggle before inserting it into the wall. Strap-type toggles push through the hole, pull tight, and let you snap off the straps. Both need a larger pilot hole than plastic anchors — The Home Depot notes toggle bolts and steel hollow-wall anchors require bigger holes than simple plastic ones.

For genuinely heavy items or uncertain wall conditions, toggles and hollow-wall anchors are stronger than plastic expansion anchors. That extra strength comes with a cost: bigger holes and more setup. If you’re mounting something substantial, the extra work is worth it.

Choosing the Right Anchor for the Job

Plastic anchors, self-drilling threaded anchors, molly bolts, and toggle bolts are not interchangeable — the install method depends entirely on the anchor’s design. Read the package before you drill, since it specifies the bit size and any special steps.

When choosing anchors, consider what you’re hanging and the wall condition. Heavy shelves and cabinets favor toggles; light picture frames are fine with simple plastic anchors. Our tested roundup of the best drywall anchors breaks down which types hold up best across common household jobs so you can buy with confidence.

One final tip: after driving the screw snugly, test the joint with a light tug before loading it up. A screw that spins freely means the anchor failed — pull it out, patch the hole, and try a toggle bolt.

FAQs

Frequently asked questions about installing drywall anchors, answered directly.

Do I always need a pilot hole for drywall anchors?

No. Plastic expansion anchors and molly bolts require a pilot hole drilled to the package’s specified bit size, but self-drilling threaded anchors are designed to be screwed directly into drywall without one. Check the anchor’s packaging first — it will state whether a pilot hole is needed and what size bit to use.

What size drill bit should I use for drywall anchors?

Use the bit size printed on the anchor’s package — that’s the only reliable answer, since sizes vary by manufacturer and anchor type. A bit that’s too large makes the anchor loose in the hole, and one that’s too small can crack the drywall when you tap the anchor in.

How much weight can drywall anchors hold?

It depends on the anchor type and wall condition. Read the weight rating on the package and use toggles for anything heavy or uncertain.