How to patch a hole in drywall: parts by hole size
Measure the hole first. Small, medium and large holes each take a different patch.
Before you start: Before cutting a hole any bigger, shine a flashlight inside to check for wires and pipes, and keep your cuts shallow.
What to check first
Under 1/2 inch: nail and screw holes
Fill with lightweight spackle, let it dry, sand it flat and paint.
Up to about 4 inches: doorknob holes
Cover with a self-adhesive mesh patch, then feather two or three thin coats of joint compound over it, sanding between coats.
Over 4 inches
Cut the damage into a clean square, screw a wood or drywall backer strip inside the opening, screw in a new piece of drywall cut to fit, then tape and finish the seams.
Is the wall damp?
If the drywall is soft, stained or crumbling, find and fix the water source before patching.
Get the list for your store
Ask Danny turns this job into a one-trip parts list for Home Depot and Lowe's, with aisle numbers and price estimates. Free, and no account needed.
Build my parts listParts you may need
- Lightweight spackling compoundFor small holes.
- Self-adhesive drywall repair patchPick a size an inch or two bigger than the hole.
- Drywall panel or scrapFor large holes. Walls are usually 1/2 inch thick; measure yours at the hole.
- Coarse-thread drywall screws, 1-1/4 inchTo fasten the new piece and backer strips.
- Joint compound and mesh tapeFor finishing the seams.
- Primer and matching paintRaw compound soaks up paint unevenly without primer.
Tools
- Putty knives, 4 and 6 inch
- Drywall saw
- Utility knife
- Sanding sponge
- Drill/driver
Call a licensed pro if
- The damage came from a leak, or there is mold
- Wires or pipes behind the hole are damaged
- A large hole in a ceiling
General guidance, not professional advice. Parts differ by brand and model, so check yours before buying. Aisle numbers and prices in the app are estimates. How Ask Danny uses AI. Updated September 16, 2026.