Husky 6 in. Putty Knife, Stainless Steel Blade
Wide enough to feather a patch flat. Stainless won't rust in compound.
Home Depot prices as of 2026-10-15Home / Job Guides / Any Room / Patch a Hole in Drywall
The Job Guide
Patch a drywall hole so it disappears.
The short answerTo patch a hole in drywall, fill nail holes with spackle. For holes up to about 6 inches, stick a self-adhesive mesh or metal patch over the hole. For anything bigger, screw a piece of drywall to backing cleats. Spread thin coats of joint compound or spackle with a 6-inch knife, feathering past the edges, and let each coat dry. Sand smooth between coats, then prime and paint. Plan on 2–3 thin coats.
Doorknob dents, anchor holes and move-out damage are the most common wall repairs. The trick is thin coats and patient sanding, not one thick coat.
DifficultyEasy
Time1–2 hrsspread over a day of drying
DIY cost$7–$45estimate
Hiring a proVaries by areaestimate
DIY range is the Home Depot price of the parts below as of Oct 15, 2026. We didn't find a reliable published pro rate, so none is shown.
6 stepsEvery pick rated about 4.5★ or higher, from hundreds to thousands of reviews.
Photo: Elias Storm on Unsplash
