AbstractSeveral types of anchor are available to transfer loads into structural concrete. They all utilize the concrete tensile strength.Many reinforced concrete structures are designed under the assumption that the concrete is cracked. Research shows that fasteners will attract cracks or even induce cracking. Therefore, the behavior of different types of fasteners in uncracked and cracked reinforced concrete has been studied extensively. Fasteners used in zones with potential concrete cracking must be suitable for this application. Suitable are cast‐in‐situ headed studs, post‐installed anchors like undercut anchors and specially designed torque‐controlled expansion anchors and adhesive anchors with follow‐up expansion. They show a reduction of the concrete failure load of about 25–35% compared with uncracked concrete when located in or close to cracks with a width of 0.3–0.4 mm (0.012–0.016 in). This crack width can be expected in typical concrete members designed with ordinary crack control provisions.Based on comprehensive studies described in this article fastenings in uncracked and cracked concrete can be designed with sufficient accuracy.