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
Max Load (brick)
🟡 Yellow
5mm
5mm
No. 4–8
No. 6 (3.5mm)
25–40mm
30mm
~20kg
🔴 Red
6mm
6mm
No. 6–10
No. 8 (4.0mm)
30–50mm
35–40mm
~40kg
🟤 Brown
7mm
7mm
No. 8–12
No. 10 (5.0mm)
40–60mm
40–45mm
~60kg
⚪ White/Grey
8mm
8mm
No. 10–14
No. 12 (5.5mm)
50–70mm
45–50mm
~75kg
🔵 Blue
10mm
10mm
No. 12–16
No. 14 (6.5mm)
60–100mm
55–60mm
~100kg
🟢 Green
12mm
12mm
No. 16–20
No. 16 (8.0mm)
80–120mm
65–70mm
100kg+
Fixing by Item Chart
Item
Weight
Masonry Plug
Drill Bit
Screw
Plasterboard Fixing
Picture frame
1–3kg
🟡 Yellow (5mm)
5mm
No. 6 x 30mm
Plastic plug or self-drill
Small mirror
3–5kg
🟡 Yellow (5mm)
5mm
No. 8 x 30mm
Self-drill metal fixing
Curtain pole (light)
3–8kg
🔴 Red (6mm)
6mm
No. 8 x 40mm
Self-drill or spring toggle
Towel rail
3–8kg
🔴 Red (6mm)
6mm
No. 8 x 40mm
Self-drill metal fixing
Bathroom cabinet
5–15kg
🔴 Red (6mm)
6mm
No. 8 x 50mm
GripIt 15mm or spring toggle
Curtain pole (heavy)
8–15kg
🟤 Brown (7mm)
7mm
No. 10 x 50mm
GripIt 15mm or into studs
Floating shelf
10–25kg
🟤 Brown (7mm)
7mm
No. 10 x 50mm
Into studs preferred
Large mirror
10–20kg
🟤 Brown (7mm)
7mm
No. 10 x 50mm
GripIt 20mm or spring toggles
TV (small, <15kg)
5–15kg
🟤 Brown (7mm)
7mm
No. 10 x 50mm
GripIt 20mm or gravity toggles
TV (large, 15–30kg)
15–30kg
🟤 Brown / 🔵 Blue
7–10mm
No. 10–12 x 60mm
Into studs (essential)
Kitchen wall unit
20–40kg loaded
🟤 Brown (7mm)
7mm
No. 10 x 50mm (×6+)
Into studs + mounting rail
Radiator
15–40kg filled
🟤 Brown / 🔵 Blue
7–10mm
No. 10–12 x 60mm
Into studs (essential)
Grab rail
Dynamic (body weight)
🔵 Blue (10mm)
10mm
Coach screws
Into studs only
Plasterboard Fixing Comparison
Fixing Type
Max Load
Pre-Drill?
Reusable?
Best For
Plastic plasterboard plug
5–10kg
Yes (small)
No
Smoke alarms, cable clips
Self-drill metal fixing
15–20kg
No
No
Towel rails, light cabinets
Spring toggle
25–40kg
Yes (10–13mm)
No
Mirrors, shelf brackets
GripIt (15mm yellow)
Up to 71kg
Yes (varies)
Yes
Heavy shelves, curtain poles
GripIt (20mm green)
Up to 93kg
Yes (varies)
Yes
TVs, heavy shelves
Gravity toggle
40–60kg
Yes (13mm)
Bolt only
TVs, radiator brackets
Direct to stud
100kg+
Pilot hole
Yes
Anything heavy — always best option
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.
