How to Patch a Hole in Drywall (Small, Medium, and Large)
- Section
- Walls & Floors
- Read time
- 2 min
- Updated
Patching drywall is one of the easiest home repairs. The method depends on the hole size.
Quick answer
- Nail and screw holes: fill with lightweight spackle, let dry, sand, paint.
- Holes up to about 4 inches: use a self-adhesive mesh patch and joint compound.
- Bigger holes: cut a square, add a backer board, and screw in a new drywall piece.
- Feather each coat wider than the last and sand smooth before painting.
In this guide
Tools and materials
- Lightweight spackle and/or all-purpose joint compound
- 4-inch and 6-inch putty knives
- Self-adhesive mesh patches
- Fine sanding sponge (around 120 to 220 grit)
- Utility knife, drywall saw, and a scrap of drywall (for large holes)
- Primer and matching paint
Small holes (nails, screws, anchors)
- Pull out any anchor, or push it slightly into the wall.
- Fill the hole with spackle, pressing it in with a putty knife.
- Scrape it flush. Let it dry. Lightweight spackle often dries in under an hour.
- Sand lightly, wipe off dust, prime, and paint.
Medium holes (up to about 4 inches)
- Trim loose paper and crumbled gypsum around the edges with a utility knife.
- Stick a mesh patch over the hole.
- Spread a thin coat of joint compound over the patch, extending a few inches past the edges.
- Let it dry, sand lightly, then apply a second, wider coat. A third thin coat may be needed.
- Sand smooth, prime, and paint.
Large holes
- Draw a square around the damage and cut it out with a drywall saw.
- Screw a strip of wood (a backer) inside the hole, across the top and bottom, using drywall screws through the wall.
- Cut a drywall piece to fit and screw it to the backers.
- Tape the seams with paper or mesh tape and joint compound.
- Apply two or three thin, wide coats, sanding between them.
- Prime and paint.
Make it invisible
- Feather the edges. Each coat should be wider and thinner than the last.
- Prime before painting, or the patch can look dull (called “flashing”).
- Match texture with a spray-can texture product if your walls aren’t smooth.
- Paint the whole wall, corner to corner, if the touch-up stands out.
Before you cut, be careful near outlets and switches, and avoid areas where pipes or wires may run.
Safety first Turn off power or water before working on fixtures and appliances, follow the manufacturer’s instructions, and call a licensed pro for gas, major electrical, or structural work.