How to patch a small hole in drywall
The right size patch for the right size hole — and the trick to making the repair invisible.
Riley Brand
March 2, 2026
Match the method to the size
Nail or screw hole (under 1/4 inch): spackle with a putty knife, sand smooth.
Doorknob-size hole (1–4 inches): self-adhesive metal mesh patch + joint compound.
Larger (4+ inches): cut out the area, install a new piece of drywall behind it, mud and tape.
The doorknob-hole repair
Stick the patch (with built-in mesh and adhesive) over the hole. Press down firmly.
Apply joint compound over the patch with a 6-inch putty knife, feathering the edges out beyond the patch. Don't try to make it perfect on the first coat.
Wait 24 hours. Sand lightly. Apply a second thin coat, even more feathered. Wait. Sand. Prime. Paint.
Making it invisible
Feather the compound 6+ inches past the patch edges. The tighter the spread, the more visible the repair.
Light from a window will reveal anything you skipped. Look at your work from across the room with light hitting it before you paint.
People also ask
Can I skip the second coat?+
Almost never. The first coat shrinks slightly as it dries. Without the second coat, the repair sinks below the wall surface.
What if I don't have matching paint?+
Paint a wider area with the closest match — full corner-to-corner section. The eye won't notice a gradient as easily as a small mismatch.
Why is my patch cracking?+
Compound applied too thick. Multiple thin coats dry better than one thick one.