What Size Drill Bit to Use With Wall Anchors

About Wall Anchors

• Wall anchors are plastic or metal sleeves with threads on the inside. They are inserted into drywall to hold screws tightly. Without a wall anchor, the screw would pull through the soft drywall from the weight of the hanging object. When the screw goes into the wall anchor and is tightened, the ends of the anchor splay out, preventing the screw and the anchor from falling back through the hole. The wall anchor holds the screw in place despite gravity attempting to pull it out and down. There are many sizes of wall anchors, and the amount of weight they can hold varies.

Pilot Holes

• To successfully set a wall anchor in place in drywall, you must drill a pilot hole. The pilot hole makes a smooth opening in the drywall that guides the tip of the wall anchor through so it doesn't have to grind out its own path. Without a pilot hole, the wall anchor would be pushed into place using a hammer, and it's likely the drywall would split, chip or crack. A pilot hole also forces the wall anchor to enter the drywall straight instead at an angle.

Drill Bit Sizes

• Use a drill bit that is slightly smaller than the wall anchor because drywall is so soft. If you make the hole too big, the wall anchor will not be able to grab onto the drywall. Some wall anchor kits come with a properly sized drill bit, or you may have to make estimates on which drill bit to use. Screws are numbered, such as #6 or #8, which references its diameter. So, for wall anchors that fit screw sizes #6 or #8, a 1/8-inch drill bit is appropriate for a pilot hole. A #10 screw wall anchor would require a 3/16-inch drill bit.

Installation

• Mark the location for the screw with a pencil. Drill a pilot hole though the drywall. Place the tip of the wall anchor into the pilot hole, then tap the end with a hammer to drive it in until the end is flush with the drywall. Place the screw in the wall anchor and screw it in, leaving 1/2 inch out. Hang the object from the screw.