How to Patch a Small Hole in Drywall

Nail holes, anchor holes, or a dent from a doorknob? You can make them disappear with a few dollars of supplies. Here's how to patch the two most common sizes.

1. What You Need

Grab a tub of spackle, a putty knife, and some fine sandpaper. For anything bigger than a quarter, add a self-adhesive mesh patch.

2. Tiny Holes: Nails And Screws

For nail and screw holes, press a little spackle into the hole with the putty knife. Then drag the knife across it flat, to scrape the surface smooth and level with the wall.

3. Bigger Holes: Use A Mesh Patch

For a hole about the size of a doorknob, spackle alone will just sink in. Trim off any loose paper edges. Then stick a mesh patch over the hole, and press it flat, all the way around.

4. Spread And Feather

Spread a thin layer of spackle over the patch, a little wider than the mesh. Press harder at the edges, so the spackle tapers off to nothing. Pros call this feathering. It hides the patch.

5. Let It Dry, Then Sand

Let it dry completely. Thin coats can dry fast, thicker ones can take hours, so check the tub. Sand it lightly until it's smooth. If you see a dip, add a second thin coat.