Holes in drywall happen. Doorknobs, furniture, life. Done right, nobody will ever know.

Quick answer Fill holes under 1/2 inch with spackle. Cover holes from 1/2 inch to about 6 inches with a self-adhesive mesh or metal patch, then two or three thin coats of compound. Bigger holes need a drywall piece cut to fit. Feather the edges, sand, prime, and paint.
How to Patch a Hole in Drywall
Photo: U.S. Navy NMCB4 by Petty Officer 1st Class Justin Rayburn / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Tools & materials

  • Spackle or lightweight joint compound
  • Self-adhesive patch (for medium holes)
  • 4–6 inch putty knife
  • Fine sanding sponge
  • Primer and matching paint

Steps

  1. Knock off loose paper and crumbs and wipe the area clean.
  2. Small holes: press spackle in with a putty knife (or your finger), slightly overfilled since it shrinks. Scrape level.
  3. Medium holes: center a self-adhesive patch over the hole and press it flat.
  4. Spread a thin coat of compound over the patch in a crisscross pattern, spreading it 1–2 inches beyond the edges. Press harder at the outer edges to feather them thin.
  5. Let it dry completely. Don’t keep fussing with wet compound; two or three strokes and leave it.
  6. Sand lightly until smooth. Don’t sand through to the mesh. Wipe off the dust.
  7. Add a second (and third if needed) thin coat, wider each time, sanding between coats.
  8. Prime the patch, then paint. Unprimed compound shows through as a dull spot.
Safety: Before cutting into a wall for a larger patch, use a stud finder and check for wires and pipes. Turn off power to that area if you’re unsure.

From https://www.djgaston.com/patch-a-hole-in-drywall/ · Updated October 22, 2026