Screw Gauge, Metric, Size, Clearance Holes, Pilot Holes & Wall Plugs
| Gauge | Metric equiv. | Pilot hole | Clearance hole | Masonry plug size |
| 3 | 2.5mm | 1.0mm | 3.0mm | Yellow (5mm hole) |
| 4 | 3.0mm | 1.5mm | 3.5mm | Yellow (5mm hole) |
| 6 | 3.5mm | 2.0mm | 4.0mm | Red (6mm hole) |
| 8 | 4.0mm | 2.5mm | 4.5mm | Red (6mm hole) or Brown (7mm hole) |
Full Answer
What size plugs do I need for screws?
Decent quality plastic plugs usually have the size moulded into them somewhere. This is the diameter of the plug and also the size of hole to drill. 5mm diameter plugs are suitable for No 4 & 6 size screws. 6mm diameter plugs are suitable for No 6 & 8 size screws. 8mm diameter plugs are suitable for No 10,12 & 14 size screws.
What size drill bit do I need for 6mm screws?
Decent quality plastic plugs usually have the size moulded into them somewhere. This is the diameter of the plug and also the size of hole to drill. 5mm diameter plugs are suitable for No 4 & 6 size screws. 6mm diameter plugs are suitable for No 6 & 8 size screws. 8mm diameter plugs are suitable for No 10,12 & 14 size screws. BB.
What size plug for a 70mm screwdriver?
You might find that a large plug like a 70mm one is designed for a really large diameter screw (5 or 6mm plus).
What size is an 8mm head screw?
Just that a ‘normal’ wood screw with an 8mm wide head is an 8 gauge screw. Unfortunately it’s the only one that is so convenient, but I could measure the heads of the different sizes of screws and that would give you somewhere to start. Also, there is only a few main ones.
What size screws fit 6mm plugs?
Plug Diameter: 6mm. Plug Length: 30mm. Screw Size: 4.5 x 40mm.
What screws to use with 6mm wall plugs?
Red plugs fit into 6.0 mm holes and work best with screw sizes 6 and 8, but can be used for screw sizes 6 through 10. Brown plugs fit into 7.0 mm holes and work best with screw sizes 8 through 12, but can be used for screw sizes 8 through 14.
What size plugs for screws?
Screw Gauge, Metric, Size, Clearance Holes, Pilot Holes & Wall PlugsGaugeMetric equiv.Masonry plug size43.0mmYellow (5mm hole)63.5mmRed (6mm hole)84.0mmRed (6mm hole) or Brown (7mm hole)105.0mmBrown (7mm hole)3 more rows
What screws to use with wall plugs?
By far the most common anchors used are the humble yellow, red or brown wall plugs....Screw sizes for yellow, red or brown wall plugsYellow: 3 to 4mm screw.Red: 4 to 5mm screw.Brown: 4.5 to 6mm screw.
What size plugs for screws UK?
Product DescriptionWall Plug TypePlug Diameter (mm)Screw DiameterYellow Plugs5mm3/3.5mm (No. 4/6)Red Plugs5.5mm3.5/4.5mm (No. 6/8)Blue Plugs10mm6/7mm (No. 12/14)
What size screw do I need?
The general rule of thumb is that the screw should enter at least half the thickness of the bottom material, e.g. 3/4″ into a 2 x 4. The other factor is the screw's diameter, or gauge. Screws come in gauges 2 through 16. Most of the time you'll want to go with a #8 screw.
Which Rawlplug for 5mm screws?
Red Rawl Plugs for 3mm - 5mm screws (No. 6 - No. 10) - box of 100. These red rawl plugs are to be used with 3mm, 4mm and 5mm screws.
Should the screw be longer than the wall plug?
A wallplug holds the screw securely into the wall. The screw, and hole, should be longer than the plug! The screw should go all the way through the wallplug and split it open to force the tightest possible fit with the wall. For most DIY jobs a bog standard plastic Wallplug will suffice.
How do I choose the right size drill bit for a wall plug?
Choose the correct size of plugs and drill bits for your screws. The yellow plugs shown in this example take 4mm gauge screws, the red ones take 5mm and the brown ones take 5.5mm - although wall plugs do come in lots of colours.
What size is a number 6 screw?
American Screw SizesTHREAD DIAMETERSizeNearest FractionMillimeter#69/643.3#85/324.2#103/164.88 more rows•May 25, 2022
How do you screw in Rawl plugs?
4:246:39How to use wall plugs. Wall plug tips and drilling tips. - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd just give it a gentle tap. Into the wall until it's flush with the wall then. Take your screw.MoreAnd just give it a gentle tap. Into the wall until it's flush with the wall then. Take your screw. Put your screw in the wall. Then just get your Phillips screwdriver. And tighten that up by. Hand.
What is 8 gauge screw in MM?
4.2For gauge to MM conversionSelf Tapping Screw Gauge (g)Size (mm)63.584.2104.8125.53 more rows
What size screws fit red Rawl plugs?
These red rawl plugs are to be used with 3mm, 4mm and 5mm screws. They are 30mm in length and are supplied in boxes of 100. A drill size of 5.5mm is required for these plugs.
How do you screw in Rawl plugs?
4:246:39How to use wall plugs. Wall plug tips and drilling tips. - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd just give it a gentle tap. Into the wall until it's flush with the wall then. Take your screw.MoreAnd just give it a gentle tap. Into the wall until it's flush with the wall then. Take your screw. Put your screw in the wall. Then just get your Phillips screwdriver. And tighten that up by. Hand.
What weight can wall plugs hold?
Plastic wing anchors are typically suitable for up to 20 pounds, while most metal toggles top out at 100 to 150 pounds. Specialized heavy-duty anchors can exceed that rating, safely holding 300 pounds or more.
What is a number 8 screw?
American Screw SizesTHREAD DIAMETERSizeNearest FractionInch#69/640.13#85/320.16#103/160.198 more rows•May 25, 2022
Metric and Imperial Screw Sizes
Most manufacturers put both the metric and imperial size on the box of screws which is very helpful, however when purchasing online, many retailers...
Imperial Screw Sizes Explained
A wood screw is sized by two different numbers. First is the Gauge of the screw which refers to the diameter – the larger the number, the larger th...
Metric Screw Sizes Explained
As you can imagine, the metric system is a little simpler to understand for the uninitiated however if you’re not used to it, or still working in I...
Metric Imperial Screw Conversion Chart
Please use this table to match the metric size to the imperial screw size. Please remember that the conversion is not exact, but this is generally...
Other Acronyms and Abbreviations Used to Describe Screws
There are a range of acronyms and letters that you often find on screw boxes or in their online descriptions. Here is a summary of the most common,...
Screw Size Identifiers
Find thread size, screw size, thread pitch, diameter, or drill bit size.
Wall-Mount Thread-It Screw, Bolt, and Nut Size Identifiers
Mount to a wall for easy access, and thread your fastener into holes or onto plugs for quick and accurate size identification.
Thread-It Screw, Bolt, and Nut Size Identifiers
Thread your fastener into holes or onto plugs for quick and accurate size identification.
Threads per Inch and Thread Pitch Identifiers
Determine threads per inch and thread pitch on a variety of external and internal threads.
Reference Charts
Style C charts list specifications and torque tightening guidelines for alloy steel socket screws.
How do you determine screw size?
When looking into and determining screw size, there are two things you need to understand – the length and the thread count. The latter is also commonly referred to as threads per inch (TPI) or thread pitch. We use the TPI to determine the thread’s fineness. The number will also tell if a screw can thread through a bolt.
How do I identify screw size?
Identifying sizes can be tricky if you don’t know how to read them. They are represented in an alphanumeric code, which is difficult to understand if you are not familiar with it. Codes such as “1/8-10 x 4/6”, “M5-0.4 x 15”, and “4-30 x 0.10” may seem overwhelming and meaningless at the same time, but it is the most vital information.
What do the numbers mean on screw sizes?
If you often do DIY, one of the popular items you are using is screws. It comes in several sizes, which you can find in the packaging. Finding the correct size can be a daunting task if you don’t know the imperial or metric system. A conversion table would be handy if you often convert between these two systems.
Metric System
The metric system was based on the meter, a system of measurement whose origin was in France in the 1970s. When taking the length of a screw, we use meters.
Standard System
The standard system, otherwise known as the imperial system, was introduced in the British Weights and Measures Act 1824. It evolved through a series of amendments in the said act. For some time, the imperial system had been the standard measurement system. However, by the late 20th century, several countries have adopted the metric system.
Buying Guide
Now that we have discussed some of the basics, it is time to guide you through what you need to know. Finding the right type and specifications will hold materials together nicely.
Types
Depending on the application, they come in different forms and sizes. Here are some of the most common ones.
What is ZYP in screws?
ZP – Zinc Plated; These screws have been plated with zinc to stop them becoming corroded. ZYP – Zinc and Yellow Passivated; Zinc plated to reduce susceptibility to corrosion and then a passivation layer is applied to the zinc coating to give it even more corrosion protection; this typically results in a yellow colour.
Do you put metric and imperial on screws?
Most manufacturers put both the metric and imperial size on the box of screws which is very helpful, however when purchasing online, many retailers do not . This is largely because the title of the product becomes too long and cumbersome, so something has to go.
ben100 Member
I need to hang a curtain pole I’ve got some 5.5/6mm red rawl plugs which screw size do I put in?
Ind spark Active Member
I need to hang a curtain pole I’ve got some 5.5/6mm red rawl plugs which screw size do I put in?
pppmacca43 Super Member
Either of these will be okay, 2” probably be better. I would use a 5.5 bit to make it nice and tight.
Ind spark Active Member
Sorry to be an idiot but what size are those exactly just so I know what ones I’m looking for?
captain beaky New Member
Hello to all out there! Please will some one clear up something that has perplexed me for years? What size drill and raw plug do I use for say a 5m screw and how does it work for the differing sizes of screw.
The Dormouse New Member
I don't think you should bugger about just because you've found a big hole. The are laws against some forms of that practise
britishblue New Member
Decent quality plastic plugs usually have the size moulded into them somewhere. This is the diameter of the plug and also the size of hole to drill.
