Toggle bolts
Toggle bolts are the correct choice for hanging heavy items on hollow walls (drywall, plaster) where no stud is available. A spring-loaded or snap wing opens behind the wall to distribute load across a large area of the panel.
Spring toggle vs snap toggle
| Type | How it works | Advantage | Limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring toggle (traditional) | Folded wings spring open behind the wall; screw tightens against it | High load capacity; inexpensive | Toggle falls into wall if screw is removed; hole cannot be reused |
| Snap toggle (Toggler brand) | Plastic channel locks behind wall; metal bar spans the cavity | Screw can be removed and reinserted; repositionable bracket | Slightly lower capacity than large spring toggles; more expensive |
Load ratings by size (1/2" drywall)
| Bolt diameter | Hole size | Approx. load (shear) |
|---|---|---|
| 3/16" | 1/2" | ~50 lbs |
| 1/4" | 1/2" | ~100 lbs |
| 5/16" | 5/8" | ~150 lbs |
| 3/8" | 7/8" | ~200 lbs |
Actual holding strength depends on drywall thickness and condition. Plaster walls over wood lath hold significantly more. Always apply a safety factor — divide the rated load by at least 4 for static applications.
Installation (spring toggle)
- Drill a hole the size specified on the package — typically 1/2" for most spring toggles.
- Thread your fixture or a washer onto the bolt, then thread the toggle wings onto the bolt with the wings folded flat.
- Compress the wings, push the bolt and toggle through the hole until you feel the wings spring open behind the wall.
- Pull the bolt toward you to seat the wings firmly against the back of the drywall, then tighten the bolt.
Important limitation
With a spring toggle: if you remove the bolt entirely, the toggle wing falls inside the wall cavity and cannot be retrieved. Always keep the screw partially engaged. For installations where you may need to remove the fixture, use a snap toggle (Toggler) type instead.
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