How to patch a hole in drywall
How you patch drywall depends on the hole: patching compound for nail holes, a mesh patch for doorknob dents, and a new drywall piece for fist-size damage. Each needs thin coats of joint compound, the last one feathered wide. Sand lightly, prime, then paint to match.
About 30 minutes to learnEveryday skill
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How to do it
- Scrape away loose paper and crumbs around the hole with a utility knife so the edge is firm.
- For small holes, press lightweight patching compound in with a putty knife and scrape it flush.
- For holes up to a few inches, stick a mesh patch over the hole, then spread a thin coat of joint compound over it, wider than the patch.
- For bigger holes, cut the damage into a neat square, screw two wood strips inside the opening, and screw in a drywall piece cut to fit.
- Tape the seams of a larger patch, then cover with thin coats of joint compound, each a little wider than the last.
- Let each coat dry fully, then sand lightly with a fine sanding sponge until you cannot feel an edge.
- Prime the patch so it does not show through, then paint the whole wall section or at least to the nearest corner.
Common mistakes
- Piling on one thick coat, which cracks and shrinks as it dries.
- Sanding before the compound is completely dry.
- Skipping primer, so the patch shows as a dull spot under the paint.
- Dry sanding in an old home without testing the paint for lead first.
Quick self-check
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Teach this to someone
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Teach: How to patch a hole in drywall
What to say
How you patch drywall depends on the hole: patching compound for nail holes, a mesh patch for doorknob dents, and a new drywall piece for fist-size damage. Each needs thin coats of joint compound, the last one feathered wide. Sand lightly, prime, then paint to match.
What to show, in order
- Scrape away loose paper and crumbs around the hole with a utility knife so the edge is firm.
- For small holes, press lightweight patching compound in with a putty knife and scrape it flush.
- For holes up to a few inches, stick a mesh patch over the hole, then spread a thin coat of joint compound over it, wider than the patch.
- For bigger holes, cut the damage into a neat square, screw two wood strips inside the opening, and screw in a drywall piece cut to fit.
- Tape the seams of a larger patch, then cover with thin coats of joint compound, each a little wider than the last.
- Let each coat dry fully, then sand lightly with a fine sanding sponge until you cannot feel an edge.
- Prime the patch so it does not show through, then paint the whole wall section or at least to the nearest corner.
The check question
Ask: What suits a doorknob-size hole?
Related skills
- How to paint a room
- How to find a stud (with and without a finder)
- How to mount a TV or heavy mirror
- Every skill in Home Fixes
Words on this page
Sources
- National lead-safe renovation guidance for homeowners, current edition. Checked September 28, 2026.
Last reviewed . First published .