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30 בAugust 2026
How much weight will a drywall anchor really hold? The answer depends on three things only — the anchor type, the thickness of the plasterboard, and the direction of the load. Below are the figures from the manufacturers’ technical datasheets, in kilograms, with no guesswork.
Tension versus shear — the distinction behind most failures
Every anchor has two quite different load values, and confusing them is the number one cause of failure.
- Tension — a force pulling the anchor out of the wall, perpendicular to the board. This is what happens when something hangs from a ceiling, or when a loaded shelf tips forward.
- Shear — a force acting parallel to the board, downwards. This is what happens when a picture or a cabinet hangs on a wall.
Shear values are always much higher than tension values — sometimes more than double. That is why the very same anchor can hold 23 kg on a wall and only 12 kg on a ceiling.
Why plasterboard needs a special anchor
A plasterboard sheet is a thin skin with a cavity behind it. An ordinary screw has nothing to grip — it tears out along with a piece of board. A drywall anchor solves this by opening or folding out behind the board and spreading the load over a large area on its back face, instead of relying on the thickness of the board itself. The larger the spread area, the higher the permitted load.
BA-NY — American nylon toggle plug
The strongest anchor in the category. Maximum recommended loads in kg, per single fixing point:
| Board thickness | Tension (ceiling) | Shear (wall) |
|---|---|---|
| 9.5 mm | 12 kg | 30 kg |
| 12.5 mm | 23 kg | 53 kg |
| 2 × 12.5 mm | 52 kg | 98 kg |
| 15 mm | 49 kg | 92 kg |
| 2 × 15 mm | 90 kg | 127 kg |
Note the jump. Going from a single 12.5 mm board to a double board more than doubles the tension load — from 23 to 52 kg. If you are planning to hang something heavy, the board thickness matters more than the choice of anchor.
Requires a minimum cavity of 55 mm behind the board and a 13 mm hole.
IN-CO — metal “molly” toggle anchor
A metal anchor with four arms that lock against the back of the board, with a female thread — so the screw can be removed and replaced.
| Board thickness | Tension | Shear |
|---|---|---|
| 12.5 mm | about 20 kg | about 50 kg |
| 2 × 12.5 mm | about 40 kg | about 100 kg |
The IN-CO needs its dedicated setting tool. Without it the arms do not open properly behind the board, and the anchor will not reach the values in the table — even if it feels solid by hand.
CA-PA and TAPLA — light loads
| Anchor | Maximum recommended load in plasterboard | Note |
|---|---|---|
| CA-PA M4–M8 | 5–6 kg | 10–14 kg in a concrete substrate |
| TAPLA | 8 kg | no pre-drilling |
The TAPLA is the quickest solution — driven straight into the board with no drilling — and is excellent for fittings, light shelves and lighting. It is not intended for cabinets, televisions or bookshelves.
Which anchor to choose
| What you are hanging | Recommended anchor |
|---|---|
| Picture, light mirror, electrical fitting | TAPLA |
| Light shelf, light fitting | CA-PA |
| Television, wall cabinet, air-conditioning unit | BA-NY or IN-CO |
| Anything hanging from the ceiling | BA-NY — read the tension column |
The anchors in these tables
The four anchors the figures on this page refer to, from the highest load to the lowest:
- BA-NY — American nylon toggle plug. The highest loads in the category, up to 90 kg in tension on a double 15 mm board.
- IN-CO — “molly” toggle anchor with four arms and a female thread; the screw can be removed and refitted.
- CA-PA — metal spring toggle for medium loads. Simple to install, with no dedicated tool.
- TAPLA — self-tapping drywall screw. The quickest solution, with no pre-drilling.
Four mistakes that reduce the real capacity
- Too little spacing between fixing points, or to an edge. Every value in these tables is for a single fixing point, with no spacing or edge-distance effects. Two anchors close together do not give twice the load.
- Over-tightening. A driver on high torque tears the plasterboard around the anchor. If the board is damaged, stop and re-drill at a distance of at least twice the anchor length away.
- Ignoring the cavity behind the board. The BA-NY needs 55 mm of clear cavity. Insulation, pipework or a profile in the way and the anchor will not open.
- Reading the wrong column. Anything hanging from a ceiling is pure tension.
Common questions
How many kilograms does an ordinary drywall anchor hold?
It depends on the type. A self-tapping drywall screw (TAPLA) — up to 8 kg. A spring toggle (CA-PA) — 5–6 kg. A BA-NY nylon toggle in a 12.5 mm board — 23 kg in tension and 53 kg in shear.
Can a television be hung on a plasterboard wall?
Yes, but only with a BA-NY or an IN-CO, and preferably on a double board. A 55-inch screen on an arm is effectively a far higher load than its weight, because of the arm’s distance from the wall. Take advice before installing.
Which is better — a double board or a stronger anchor?
The double board. Going from 12.5 mm to 2 × 12.5 mm raises the BA-NY’s tension load from 23 to 52 kg — more than double, and more than any anchor upgrade will give you.
And if the wall is hollow block rather than plasterboard?
That is a different case entirely. The skin is thicker but brittle, and the cavities are large. Drywall anchors are not suitable there; move to chemical anchoring with a mesh sleeve.
The values on this page come from the manufacturers’ technical datasheets and refer to a single fixing point without spacing or edge-distance effects. For binding engineering design, contact Adit’s technical department.
