Wall Plug Compatibility Chart — Quick Reference
Use this quick-reference chart to find the right wall plug, drill bit, and screw combination at a glance. Find your wall plug colour or the item you’re hanging, and read across for the complete fixing specification.
How to Use This Chart
Find either the wall plug colour you have, or the item you’re hanging, in the tables below. Each row gives you the complete combination: plug size, drill bit, screw gauge, and recommended screw length. All sizes assume solid masonry unless stated otherwise.
Master Compatibility Chart
| Plug Colour | Plug Diameter | Drill Bit | Screw Gauge | Ideal Screw | Screw Length | Hole Depth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🟡 Yellow | 5mm | 5mm | No. 4–8 | No. 6 (3.5mm) | 25–40mm | Plug length + about 10mm |
| 🔴 Red | 6mm | 6mm | No. 6–10 | No. 8 (4.0mm) | 30–50mm | Plug length + about 10mm |
| 🟤 Brown | 7mm | 7mm | No. 8–12 | No. 10 (5.0mm) | 40–60mm | Plug length + about 10mm |
| ⚪ White/Grey (varies by brand) | 8mm | 8mm | No. 10–14 | No. 12 (5.5mm) | 50–70mm | Plug length + about 10mm |
| 🔵 Blue | 10mm | 10mm | No. 12–16 | No. 14 (6.5mm) | 60–100mm | Plug length + about 10mm |
| 🟢 Green (varies by brand) | 12mm | 12mm | No. 16–20 | No. 16 (8.0mm) | 80–120mm | Plug length + about 10mm |
Recommended Wall Plugs & Fixings
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Before you buy: check that the size, fitting/bore and maximum-rated speed marked on the accessory match what your tool’s manual specifies. We have not physically tested these products; listings are compiled from published specifications. These are affiliate links.
Plug colours on this page follow Rawlplug’s UNO range (yellow 5mm, red 6mm, brown 7mm, blue 8mm, grey 10mm). Other brands use different colours, so go by the diameter printed on the plug or box. Weigh the item and choose fixings whose published load for your wall covers it with a margin.
Load figures are not listed here because a plug’s capacity depends on the product and the wall it goes into, not on its colour. See the substrate-by-substrate load table, sourced from fischer’s published figures.
Fixing by Item Chart
| Item | Weight | Masonry Plug | Drill Bit | Screw | Plasterboard Fixing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Picture frame | Weigh it | 🟡 Yellow (5mm) | 5mm | As the plug packaging specifies | Plastic plug or self-drill |
| Small mirror | Weigh it | 🟡 Yellow (5mm) | 5mm | As the plug packaging specifies | Self-drill metal fixing |
| Curtain pole (light) | Weigh it | 🔴 Red (6mm) | 6mm | As the plug packaging specifies | Self-drill or spring toggle |
| Towel rail | Weigh it | 🔴 Red (6mm) | 6mm | As the plug packaging specifies | Self-drill metal fixing |
| Bathroom cabinet | Weigh it | 🔴 Red (6mm) | 6mm | As the plug packaging specifies | GripIt 15mm or spring toggle |
| Curtain pole (heavy) | Weigh it | 🟤 Brown (7mm) | 7mm | As the plug packaging specifies | GripIt 15mm or into studs |
| Floating shelf | Weigh it | 🟤 Brown (7mm) | 7mm | As the plug packaging specifies | Into studs preferred |
| Large mirror | Weigh it | 🟤 Brown (7mm) | 7mm | As the plug packaging specifies | GripIt 20mm or spring toggles |
| TV (small) | Weigh it | 🟤 Brown (7mm) | 7mm | As the plug packaging specifies | GripIt 20mm or gravity toggles |
| TV (large) | Weigh it | 🟤 Brown / 🔵 Blue | 7–10mm | As the plug packaging specifies | Into studs (essential) |
| Kitchen wall unit | Weigh it | 🟤 Brown (7mm) | 7mm | As the plug packaging specifies | Into studs + mounting rail |
| Radiator | Weigh it | 🟤 Brown / 🔵 Blue | 7–10mm | As the plug packaging specifies | Into studs (essential) |
| Grab rail | Dynamic (body weight) | Safety-critical — do not use a plastic plug. Plastic plugs are approved only for redundant, non-structural fixings (EAD 330284-00-0604) and are outside their own approval scope here. Use an ETA-approved metal or resin anchor selected for the actual wall and installed per BS 8539:2012+A1:2021. In plasterboard, fix to solid backing — a noggin or plywood pattress screwed to the studs. Full guidance | |||
Plasterboard Fixing Comparison
| Fixing Type | Pre-Drill? | Reusable? | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plastic plasterboard plug | Yes (small) | No | Smoke alarms, cable clips |
| Self-drill metal fixing | No | No | Towel rails, light cabinets |
| Spring toggle | Yes (use the drill size on the packet; fischer KD 3: 12mm, KD 4: 14mm) | No | Mirrors, shelf brackets |
| GripIt (15mm yellow) | Yes (varies) | Yes | Heavy shelves, curtain poles |
| GripIt (20mm brown) | Yes (varies) | Yes | TVs, heavy shelves |
| Gravity toggle | Yes (use the drill size on the packet) | Bolt only | TVs, radiator brackets |
| Direct to stud | Pilot hole | Yes | Anything heavy — always best option |
Load figures are not listed here because a plug’s capacity depends on the product and the wall it goes into, not on its colour. See the substrate-by-substrate load table, sourced from fischer’s published figures.
Screw Gauge Quick Reference
| Gauge | Metric (mm) | Common Use |
|---|---|---|
| No. 4 | 2.5mm | Very light — hinges, trim |
| No. 6 | 3.5mm | Light — pictures, switch plates |
| No. 8 | 4.0mm | General purpose — most common |
| No. 10 | 5.0mm | Heavy — shelves, brackets, TVs |
| No. 12 | 5.5mm | Very heavy — structural brackets |
| No. 14 | 6.5mm | Extra heavy — coach bolt equivalent |
Wall Type Decision Guide
How to Identify Your Wall Type
Knock test: Hollow sound = plasterboard, solid thud = masonry. Pin test: Drawing pin slides in = plasterboard, won’t penetrate = masonry. Drill test: Red/brown dust = brick, grey dust = concrete block, white dust with no resistance = plasterboard. Location: External walls are almost always masonry. Internal walls can be either — check before drilling.
Browse Detailed Guides
- Wall Plug Colour Chart
- Drill Bit Sizes for Wall Plugs
- Screw Sizes for Wall Plugs
- Wall Plug Sizes Guide
- Plasterboard Fixings Guide
- Masonry Fixings Guide
- Wall Plugs for Heavy Items
- Types of Wall Fixings
Recommended Products
| Product | Type | Best For | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rawlplug Mixed Wall Plug Kit (272 Pieces) | Assorted masonry plugs + screws | Complete home fixing kit | View on Amazon |
| Fischer DuoPower 6x30mm (100 Pack) | Universal plugs | Many wall types (fischer publishes a load for each) | View on Amazon |
| GripIt 15mm Plasterboard Fixings (4 Pack) | Plasterboard toggle | Heavy loads on plasterboard | View on Amazon |
| Bosch 8-Piece Masonry Drill Bit Set | Masonry drill bits | All standard wall plug sizes | View on Amazon |
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Where to Buy
Wall Plug & Fixing Kits on Amazon
How we compile this guide
We cross-reference compatibility details against manufacturer specifications where available, official tool manuals, and the physical standards that govern fitment (bore sizes, arbor diameters, voltage platforms, connector types). We prioritise primary sources over retailer listings, flag anything we can’t confirm, and re-verify the data on a regular cycle. Where we give a buying recommendation, we tell you the reasoning — not just the link. More on our method →