Wall plugs are a fixing device designed for use in masonry walls such as brick or stone.
There are many types of wall plug, but essentially they are all made of a soft material, such as plastic, which will fit a simple wood or self tapper screw. They are loosely inserted into a drilled hole and a screw tightened into the centre of the wall plug. The screwing action wedges the wall plug and keeps the screw firmly in place.
Note: A masonry drill bit is required when drilling into brick, block, stone, quarry tiles or concrete. The cutting tip is often made from tungsten carbide bonded to a spiralled steel shaft.
Also see A Quick Guide to Using a Masonry Drill Bit.
There are several different sizes of wall plug all of which are identified by colour to match the different hole and screw size required.
Note: Wall plugs should not be used on plasterboard walls as other more suitable fixings are available for that purpose.
Which Wall Plug Should I Use?
The following is a guide to the approximate screw gauge and size of the masonry drill bit to use with the different colour wall plugs.
| Colour | Screw Gauge | Masonry Bit |
| White | 4 – 6 | 5mm |
| Red | 8 – 9 | 6mm |
| Green | 10 – 12 | 6.5mm |
| Blue | 14 – 16 | 8mm |
| Orange | 16-18 | 9.5mm |
What is the Screw Gauge
Screws come in all shapes and sizes. While screws are measured in length, the gauge is the diameter of the shank (the unthreaded part). The larger the number of the screw, the larger the diameter i.e. a number 8 screw is smaller than a number 10.
How to Use a Wall Plug
Step 1 – Drill a hole a little deeper than length of the screw. Remove any dust or material by blowing (with safety glasses on) or vacuuming the hole. If the wall plug is longer than the screw you can cut it to size before placing it in the drilled hole or off at the wall once inserted.
Note: If drilling into soft brick, mortar or low strength concrete, use a drill bit 1mm smaller than the normal. Do not drill too deep as the plug will slide further in and possibly become less effective.
Always use a slow rotational speed for drilling into harder materials to avoid overheating the tip of the masonry drill bit, and frequently withdraw the bit to remove dust.
Step 2 – Insert the wall plug into the hole and push flush with the wall surface.
Step 3 – Tighten the screw into the wall plug with a screwdriver.
Removing an Existing Wall Plug
Simply half insert a screw, then using a pair of pliers pull it out.
What type of screws are best to use ? Wood screws ?
Hi Dave,
Depending on what you are fixing to the wall, any screw should do. Just make sure the length and diameter of the screw is appropriate for the job.
Just working on a fairly old wall, did everything right except the wall plugs are still turning slightly in the wall after I’ve put the screws in. Seems like the wall is too crumbly. Should I try and pack the gaps with splinters of wood, plastic, etc?
@oskr – Yes you can, but you will need to take into account the weight of what you are fixing to the wall, make sure it is sturdy enough.
What type of wall plug should I use for Fibro ?
I am about to hang a heavy horizontal rail (part of an Elfa wardrobe system) and notice that the screws provided are about 2cm longer than the plugs they provided in the same bag. This is the first time I’ve struck this disparity.
If the plugs are, say, 5cm long and the screws, say 7cm, should I drill a narrow 7cm hole (to accommodate the screw length and width), then widen it to make room for the plug but only drill this wider hole 5cm long?
@Sheryl – Depending on the weight being placed on the rail you are hanging, I suggest you visit your local hardware store and either buy longer wall plugs or shorter screws to accommodate the size of each item.
@Peter – Assuming you are not drilling into asbestos, and depending on the weight of the item you are hanging, you can buy spring toggle fasteners or hooks from your local hardware store that are designed for fibro walls.. After you drill a hole, you push the “wing” through the hole and it springs out behind the wall. You then tighten it