Best Screws for Metal Studs
Metal studs are thin-gauge steel, so wood screws just spin. Fine-thread drywall screws bite light-gauge studs; self-drilling TEK screws punch through heavier gauges with no pilot hole. Match the screw to the gauge — and never use coarse threads in steel.
What to Look For
- Fine threads for steel — coarse threads strip out of thin gauge.
- Self-drilling (TEK) points for 20-gauge and heavier — no pilot hole.
- #6 or #8 diameter covers drywall, track, and most fixtures.
- Length equals layers plus 3/8 in minimum bite into the stud.
- Zinc is fine indoors; coated or stainless in damp locations.
Top Picks
1. Grip-Rite #6 x 1-5/8 in fine-thread drywall screws Best overall
The standard for hanging drywall on steel studs — fine threads bite 25-gauge steel without stripping, and the bugle head seats flush.
Check price on Amazon →2. TEK self-drilling #8 x 1-1/4 in screws For heavy gauge
Drill-point tip punches 20-gauge studs and track with no pilot hole — the choice for framing connections and fixtures.
Check price on Amazon →3. Hillman #8 x 2 in self-drilling screws For fixtures
Extra length reaches through drywall plus a cabinet or mount into the stud — holds where hollow-wall anchors cannot.
Check price on Amazon →What to Avoid
Avoid
- Coarse-thread drywall screws — they chew through thin steel and lose grip.
- Wood screws in steel studs — wrong thread, wrong point, no hold.
- Hollow-wall anchors where a screw can hit the stud — steel beats them every time.
Also in the toolbox
- Magnetic nut setter set — drives TEK heads without wobble
- DeWalt 20V impact driver — sinks self-drillers in one squeeze
FAQ
Fine or coarse thread for metal studs?
Fine thread, always. Coarse threads are designed to bite wood fibers; in thin steel they cut an oversized hole and strip. Fine-thread drywall screws (or fine self-tappers) grip 25- and 20-gauge steel correctly.
Do you need to pre-drill metal studs?
Not with self-drilling TEK screws — the drill point is the pilot. With fine-thread drywall screws in light 25-gauge studs, a sharp screw usually self-pierces; in 20-gauge and heavier, drill a small pilot or switch to TEK points.
How much weight can a screw in a metal stud hold?
A single #8 screw in 25-gauge steel holds roughly 50–70 lb in shear — enough for cabinets and small TVs when spread across several screws into the stud. For heavy loads, span two studs or use plywood backing screwed to the studs.
Keep Reading
- Drywall Screw
- Self-Drilling Screw
- Self-Tapping Screw
- Toggle Bolt
- Best Fasteners for Electricians
- What Size Screws for Metal Studs?
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