How Much Weight Can Drywall Anchors Hold? Weight Limit Guide
Drywall anchors can hold a considerable amount of weight. The total amount of weight a drywall anchor can hold depends on the location (where) and how evenly spread the weight is.
Drywalls vary in thickness, and choosing an ideal anchor might be complicated at first, but with enough information, you can easily choose the best drywall anchor that meets your needs.
How much weight can drywall anchors hold?
With the right equipment, your drywall anchor can support weights of up to 100 pounds, but if done incorrectly, you might even have trouble fixing a small picture on your wall.
You have to consider the type of material that makes up your anchor. Drywall anchors primarily use metal, plastic, nylon, etc. Plastic-made expansion anchors might hold lighter weights than nylon and metallic anchors, and average weight also depends on the anchor’s design, purpose, and intended use.
How much weight can 4 drywall anchors hold?
Four drywall anchors can hold substantial weights of up to 200 pounds. You might expect that the weight supported by the anchors scales linearly, but it’s a little more complicated than that. The total weight held by several drywall anchors largely depends on how you space your drilling points, anchors, and the quality of the drywall.
Drilling your anchor holes too close to each other might be counterproductive. When spaced inadequately, the four drywall anchors might cause cracks and other points of weakness on your drywall (which can quickly become damaged once you add some extra weight).
You might also have to consider the quality of your drywall before adding extra holes to the surface. As soon as you add a few extra holes, uneven drywall is susceptible to extensive damage.
If you want to install multiple drywall anchors within your living space, always ensure you leave adequate spacing to support each section.
Types of Drywall Anchors and Weight Capacity
There are several distinct types of drywall anchors available on the market. Individuals anchors have a specific application procedure and weight limits. Examples of drywall support anchors include plastic drywall anchors, winged anchors, self-driving others, and many others.
If you are unsure of which anchors to use for your drywall, you can always consult with a specialist or conduct some additional research on the best drywall anchors for your item.
Here are some of the different types of drywall anchors and their weight capacities:
Plastic Drywall Anchors
Plastic drywall anchors are an ideal choice for holding up items on drywall. The anchors are relatively affordable, with most having a price average of less than $10. Most plastic drywall anchors are best suited for concrete (and other hard surfaces) though you can also opt to use several varieties for your drywall.
The weight limit of a plastic drywall averages about 20 pounds, though it depends on the type of anchor in use. Installation of plastic drywall anchors is relatively easy. You should pay special attention to the size of your anchor hole. If you make it too big, you might find your anchor falling loose and offering low-quality service.
Butterfly Drywall Anchors
Butterfly wall anchors (toggle joints) offer excellent holding power with weight limits of up to 100 pounds on various drywall surfaces. Butterfly anchors use either plastic or metal, with the latter providing extra strength.
Most butterfly drywall anchors are ideal for use in roofs and some wall surfaces. The anchors might be more complicated to install in part because you have to drive the screw through the pilot. If correctly done, you can expect high-quality service for a considerable time.
Winged Anchors
Winged anchors are an ideal choice for your drywall. You can choose between plastic-based anchors or metallic-based anchors depending on the weight of your item, budget, and overall aesthetic effect.
The weight limit for a winged drywall anchor depends primarily on the material. Plastic winged anchors hold significantly less compared to metallic drywall anchors. However, metallic anchors might cost you significantly more to purchase compared to the latter.
Hollow Wall Anchors
Hollow wall anchors provide excellent service for your drywall. The products are exceptionally sturdy and can accommodate heavyweights of about 50 pounds. Some varieties also act as expansion anchors and offer additional rigidity on your wall surface.
You can readily purchase quality hollow drywall anchors on online platforms and reputable dealership stores near you. Installing a hollow wall anchor might require some experience, but it is also surprisingly easy to learn.
Self–Driving Anchors
Self-drilling (driving) anchors are particularly useful for use in drywall. These products are more stable and offer a minimal effect on your drywall surface, in contrast to other variants.
Metal is a common material in most self-drilling drywall surfaces. A significant advantage over others is that self-drilling anchors rarely require a predrilled hole, install easily, are highly durable, and are also easy to detach. Most self-drilling wall anchors can hold maximum weights of up to 70 pounds.
You can look up different self-driving anchors that best meet your needs on Amazon (and other online platforms) or at your local hardware. The average price ranges from $10 to $20 per package.
| Type of Anchor | Material | Weight Limit (avg). |
| Plastic Drywall Anchors | Plastic | 20-30 pounds |
| Winged Drywall Anchors | Plastic/Metal | 20-50 pounds |
| Butterfly Drywall Anchors | Plastic/ Metal | 20-100 pounds |
| Hollow Drywall Anchors | Plastic/Metal | 20-70 pounds |
| Self Driving Anchors | Metal | 50-70 pounds |
Note: Metallic anchors have higher maximum weights but might cost significantly more.
Do multiple drywall anchors hold more weight?
Multiplying anchors on your drywall might seem like a simple solution for holding more weight, but it is not as simple as it appears. You have to consider several factors before coming to such a conclusion. For instance, drilling numerous holes on your drywall might be counterproductive in that you may end up weakening your drywall surface and cause more extensive damage.
Besides, some items have asymmetrical weights, in that some parts of the products might be heavier than others. If you have to predrill anchor holes beforehand, the sizes of the holes might differ, your technique might also be slightly inaccurate, and the drywall might likewise be uneven.
Considering such factors might dispel the notion that multiple drywall anchors can support more weight. However, if installed correctly, several drywall anchors can help distribute heavyweight between themselves.
Which drywall anchors hold the most weight?
Individual drywall anchors have a unique weight rating. Smaller anchors have a load capacity of up to 18 pounds for every ½ inch of drywall, while the anchors can hold significantly higher weight averages.
Plastic wall anchors are relatively weaker compared to those made using metal and alloys. The material used in making an anchor contributes to the product’s load-bearing capacity.
Another aspect relates to its design self-driving drywall anchors and butterfly anchors can hold higher weight capacities than other varieties due to their design. The butterfly drywall anchor can hold weight averages of about 70 to 90 pounds, which is remarkable given the location of the anchor on drywall.
It’s best to consider the weight of your product before choosing an anchor product. If the product is not too heavy, it’s better to pot for a small lighter anchor instead of opting for a big heavy anchor that could also be more expensive.