What Screw or Drywall Anchor Should I Use? Beginner's Guide

If you’ve ever stood in the hardware aisle staring at a wall of screws and anchors wondering what screw should I use?, you’re definitely not the only one. One of the most common questions I hear is “Do I really need a drywall anchor?”

Sometimes you do. Sometimes you don’t. The right answer depends on what you’re hanging, how heavy it is, what your wall is made of, and whether you can screw into a stud.

Here’s the beginner-friendly version.

Can I Put a Screw Directly Into Drywall?

For anything with meaningful weight, a screw by itself in drywall usually isn’t a good idea.

Drywall is made with a gypsum core, which is a soft, chalk-like material enclosed in paper. A screw driven into drywall doesn't have solid material for its threads to grab the way it does when driven into wood.

That’s why a screw may initially feel secure in drywall but eventually loosen, pull out, or take a chunk of drywall with it.

If you're hanging something extremely lightweight, a simple fastener may be sufficient. But for shelves, mirrors, curtain rods, artwork, wall-mounted accessories and other items with some weight, you need to think about studs or drywall anchors.

Do I Need a Drywall Anchor?

Here's an easy rule to remember:

If you can screw into a wall stud, you generally don't need a drywall anchor. If there's no stud where you need the screw, that's when you start looking at anchors.

A wall stud gives a screw solid wood to bite into. That's usually preferable when you're hanging something heavy.

But studs aren't conveniently located everywhere you want to hang something. That's exactly why drywall anchors exist.

An anchor creates a stronger connection with the drywall by expanding inside it, gripping it, or spreading the load behind it, depending on the type of anchor.

What Drywall Anchor Should I Use?

This is where people get overwhelmed because there are dozens of anchors hanging on the hardware-store wall.

You don't need to memorize all of them. Start by understanding a few common types.

Plastic Expansion Anchors

You've probably seen these little plastic anchors included with towel bars, pictures and other household products.

You drill the appropriate-size hole, insert the anchor, and then drive the screw into it. The screw causes the anchor to expand and grip the surrounding material.

They're generally intended for lighter-duty applications.

Self-Drilling Drywall Anchors

These are the larger threaded anchors that screw directly into drywall.

They're one of my favorite options for everyday household projects because installation is straightforward and they can provide a secure light-to-medium-duty hold when used correctly.

Many self-drilling anchors don't require you to drill a separate pilot hole first.

Toggle Bolts

Need something stronger?

A toggle bolt passes through the drywall and has a metal component that opens or spreads behind the drywall. Instead of relying on a small area around the hole, the toggle distributes the load over a larger area on the back of the wall.

They're commonly considered when an item needs more support and a stud isn't available.

Just remember: the weight rating on the package matters. Don't assume every toggle bolt or drywall anchor can support the same amount of weight.

What Screw Should I Use If I Find a Stud?

If you've located a wood stud, a properly sized wood or construction screw is often what you're looking for.

The important part is choosing a screw that's long enough to pass through whatever you're mounting and the drywall and still penetrate sufficiently into the stud.

This is also why the little bag of random screws you've collected over the years isn't necessarily the best place to start. 😂

The diameter, length, head style and type of screw all matter.

What About Drywall Screws?

The name causes a LOT of confusion.

A drywall screw is primarily designed to attach sheets of drywall to wood or metal framing.

That doesn't mean a drywall screw is automatically the right screw for hanging something on drywall.

Those are two different jobs.

If you're trying to mount a shelf, mirror, television bracket or other object, choose the fastener based on the object, wall material and required holding strength — not simply because the package says “drywall.”

What Screw Do I Use for Brick or Concrete?

Now we're talking about masonry, and regular drywall anchors aren't the answer.

Attaching something to brick, block or concrete usually requires an appropriate masonry screw or masonry anchor.

You'll typically drill a pilot hole using the correct-size masonry drill bit, then install the appropriate fastener.

And yes, drill-bit size matters. A hole that's too large can prevent an anchor from gripping correctly.

Why Do I Have to Drill a Pilot Hole?

Another common beginner question is:

Why can't I just put the screw in?

A pilot hole is a smaller hole drilled before installing the fastener. Depending on the material and fastener, it can help guide the screw, reduce splitting in wood, make installation easier or create the correctly sized opening required for an anchor.

But not every screw or anchor requires a pilot hole.

That's why it's important to check the instructions for the particular fastener you're using rather than automatically reaching for a drill bit.

How Much Weight Can a Drywall Anchor Hold?

There's no single answer.

Different anchors have dramatically different weight ratings, and the actual installation matters too. Anchor type, drywall thickness, condition of the drywall, direction of the load and how the item is mounted can all affect the result.

Use the manufacturer's weight rating for the specific anchor you're installing, and give yourself a reasonable safety margin.

For something particularly heavy, valuable or potentially dangerous if it falls, finding a stud or using a mounting system designed specifically for that application may be the better choice.

Stud or Anchor? Here's the Simple Version

If you're completely new to this, remember this:

Stud available? Use an appropriate screw into the stud.

No stud? Determine the item's weight and choose a drywall anchor rated appropriately for the job.

Brick or concrete? You're in masonry-fastener territory.

Heavy or valuable item? Don't guess.

And if you're standing there thinking, “I have absolutely no idea what's behind this wall or which one of these 47 anchors I'm supposed to buy,” that's a perfectly reasonable time to ask someone who does. 😂

Need Help Hanging Something in New Braunfels?

I provide handyman services in New Braunfels, TX and the surrounding Hill Country, including wall hanging, shelves, mirrors, curtain rods, installations, minor home repairs and those little projects that have been sitting on your honey-do list.

Tell me about your project and get a free quote.