How to Use & Install Drywall Anchors, According to Home Improvement Pros

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Hang heavy items securely with our step-by-step guide

Co-authored by Jeff Huynh and Hunter Rising

Last Updated: October 16, 2025 Fact Checked

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Drilling Pilot Holes

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Installation

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Expert Q&A

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Tips

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If you’re hanging something heavy on drywall but there isn’t a stud nearby, wall anchors will help secure it completely to your wall. Even though there are a few different styles of wall anchors to choose from, they’re all easy to install and only require a few tools. Keep reading to hear expert advice from home improvement specialists on drilling pilot holes and installing any type of drywall anchor you run into!

Installing Drywall Anchors: Quick Steps

Home improvement specialist Ryaan Tuttle says to first find a wall anchor that’s rated for the weight of the object you’re hanging. Drill a pilot hole in the drywall that’s a slightly smaller diameter than the anchor. Then, push the anchor into the hole so it’s flush and tighten it with a screwdriver until it’s secure.

Section 1 of 2:

Drilling Pilot Holes to Install Drywall Anchors

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Choose a spot to hang your item. If you’re using wall anchors, handyman Jason Phillip says you don’t have to worry about finding a stud for extra support.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Jason Phillip
Handyman

Expert Interview} Anchors are designed to go directly into drywall so you can hang heavy items without any fear of slippage or damage.
- Professional handyman Jeff Huynh explains that drywall anchors work by expanding in size when you crew them into a small hole in your drywall. The anchor holds on using friction and supports behind the drywall, so it’s tight and secure.^{[2]
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  Expert Source
  
  Jeff Huynh
  Professional Handyman
  
  Expert Interview}
Meet the wikiHow Experts

Ryaan Tuttle is a home improvement specialist with over 20 years of experience.

Peter Salerno is an installation expert and owner of Hook it Up Installation in Chicago.

Jason Phillip is a handyman who runs Iconic Interior Installations, a professional mounting business.

Jeff Huynh is a professional handyman and owner of Moseyboly in the Seattle area.

Kevin Turner is a commercial handyman and owner of Red Gator Maintenance in Fresno, CA.
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Mark where you want to place the anchor on the wall. Use a pencil to draw a small dot or ‘X’ at the exact spot where you want to install your wall anchor. This will help you remember where you want to install the anchor so it’s easier to locate again.
- If you're installing multiple anchors, use a level and a tape measure to ensure that all your marks are properly spaced and level.
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Choose a wall anchor based on the item’s weight. As Tuttle notes, “Wall anchors are rated for a certain amount of weight.”^{[3]
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Expert Source

Ryaan Tuttle
Home Improvement Specialist

Expert Interview} He continues, “Depending on the size and weight of the object, you would want to use a specific size wall anchor.”^{[4]
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Expert Source

Ryaan Tuttle
Home Improvement Specialist

Expert Interview} Each type of wall anchor comes in multiple sizes with different weight limits, but the most common kinds are:
- Self-drilling wall anchors: light loads
- Plastic expansion wall anchors: light- to medium-weight loads
- Toggle bolts: light- to medium-weight loads
- Molly bolts: medium- to heavyweight loads
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Fit a drill with a drill bit with a smaller diameter than your anchor. Pick a drill bit that's about ¹⁄₈–¹⁄₄ in (0.32–0.64 cm) smaller than the anchor’s diameter. A smaller hole helps the anchor grip better into the drywall, but too large a pilot hole will make the anchor fall out. Once you find the right size, install the bit on your drill.^{[5]
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- Most drywall anchors have the dimensions clearly labeled on the packaging so that you know what drill bit to use.
- If you don’t see the dimensions listed, hold the anchor up to the drill bit and visually compare them side-by-side.
- If you’re using self-drilling drywall anchors, then you don’t need to use a drill bit or pre-drill any pilot holes. Jump to our section on installing drywall anchors.
Hold the drill bit perpendicular to the wall and keep a steady hand to ensure that the hole is as straight as possible. Once you have your pilot hole in place, set the drill to reverse so it easily pulls out of the wall when you run it.

EXPERT TIP

Kevin Turner
Commercial Handyman
Kevin Turner is a handyman and the owner of Red Gator Maintenance, a handyman business based in Fresno, California. Working on handyman-related projects since the age of 12, Kevin specializes in a wide variety of home improvement projects such as (but not limited to) lighting/electrical, plumbing, deck staining, drywall repairs, cabinet installation, air conditioning, trash removal, and window, roof, and appliance repairs.

Kevin Turner
Commercial Handyman

Wiggle a nail around to make a pilot hole without a drill. No drill, no problem! Just tap a nail slightly into the wall and rock it in a circular motion to make the hole bigger. Keep working the nail around until the hole is just a little smaller than the wall anchor.
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Repeat the process for each anchor you’re installing. If you're mounting an item that hangs from multiple points, like a TV, coat rack, or shelves, drill a pilot hole for each anchor. Take your time to make sure all the holes are in their proper positions.
- Installation expert Peter Salerno says, “Comfortably, I would not hang something more than 75 pounds on half-inch drywall.”^{[6]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Peter Salerno
  Installation Expert
  
  Expert Interview} When hanging very heavy items, such as large TVs, screw into at least one wall stud to give you the most support. Use a stud finder to locate the stud.
- Check that the combined weight ratings for your wall anchors are more than the weight of your item. Salerno even recommends only hanging half the weight the anchor is rated for to be extra safe.^{[7]
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  Expert Source
  
  Peter Salerno
  Installation Expert
  
  Expert Interview}

Section 2 of 2:

How to Install Different Drywall Anchors

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Self-drilling wall anchors Self-drilling wall anchors have a pointed end with teeth so they drill into the wall without a pilot hole. Place the tip of the anchor against the wall, and turn it clockwise using a drill with a screwdriver bit or a screwdriver.^{[8]
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- Once you install the anchor, screw the item you’re hanging directly into the anchor’s opening. The screw causes the anchor to split open so that the flaps press securely against the inside of the drywall.
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Plastic expansion wall anchors Expansion wall anchors look like a hollow screw without a pointed end. Once you make your pilot hole, push the plastic expansion anchor into the hole with your thumb. If you’re not able to push it in all the way, gently tap it with a hammer until it’s flush with the wall.^{[9]
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- Once the anchor is flush with the wall, insert a screw and turn it clockwise. The flaps will expand tightly against the drywall so the anchor stays in place.
- If the expansion anchor starts turning when you're inserting your screw, then it’s too small for the pilot hole. Remove the anchor and install the next size up.
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Toggle bolts Toggle bolts have spring-loaded wings on one end that start collapsed and open up once they’re inside the drywall. Fully collapse the wings and guide them through the pilot hole. When you hear the wings open up on the other side, use a drill or screwdriver to tighten the central bolt. This presses the wings against the inside of the wall for a tight fit.^{[10]
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- If you don't hear the wings open, try pushing the toggle bolt in or turning it.
- Toggle bolts require the largest pilot holes because the collapsed wings are wider than the actual bolt.
EXPERT TIP

Kevin Schlosser
Home Improvement Specialist
Kevin Schlosser is a Home Improvement Specialist and the Owner of Home Tech Handyman Ltd. With over 20 years of experience, Kevin specializes in age-in-place installations, flooring, roofing, and general remodeling handyman services. Kevin holds a blend of construction and in-home technology-related certifications including NAHB Certified Age-in-Place Specialist, CEDIA membership and certifications, and a Certification from the Association of Certified Handyman Professionals. Also, he is in training to receive certifications in Construction, Project Management, and other CEDIA qualified system integrator certifications. He is fully-insured in the state of Colorado.

Kevin Schlosser
Home Improvement Specialist

Try a strap toggle bolt for even easier installation. Strap toggle bolts have long zip tie straps on the outside. After you push the wings into the pilot hole, pull the bolt tight against the wall and guide it into the hole. Then, cut off the zip ties with a utility knife.
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Molly bolts Molly bolts, or hollow wall anchors, have a metal or plastic sleeve that collapses and presses against the inside of the drywall. Push the sleeve into the pilot hole and tap it in with a hammer until it’s flush with your wall. Then, turn the central screw clockwise to tighten it until it’s secure.^{[11]
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- To hang up your item, turn the anchor’s central screw counterclockwise to remove it. Feed the screw through the item you’re securing, and screw it back into the anchor.

Expert Q&A

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How do you put an anchor in drywall without a drill?

Kevin Turner
Commercial Handyman
Kevin Turner is a handyman and the owner of Red Gator Maintenance, a handyman business based in Fresno, California. Working on handyman-related projects since the age of 12, Kevin specializes in a wide variety of home improvement projects such as (but not limited to) lighting/electrical, plumbing, deck staining, drywall repairs, cabinet installation, air conditioning, trash removal, and window, roof, and appliance repairs.

Kevin Turner

Commercial Handyman

Expert Answer

Hammer a nail partway into the drywall. Then, hold the end of the nail and rock it in a circular motion until the hole is the width of the anchor that you're trying to put into the wall.

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Tips

If you can’t find a wall anchor that supports the full weight of your item, then use multiple anchors to prevent any damage to your wall.

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If you accidentally make a pilot hole too big for the anchor, either patch the hole and try again, or move the anchor to a different spot on your wall.

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