Reference
Carport sizes
Carport width is measured post to post, so the usable cover is always narrower than the number on the order — that gap is what decides whether doors open under it.
- Single
- 12 × 20 to 18 × 20
- Double
- 20 × 20 to 24 × 26
- Triple
- 30 × 30
- RV cover
- 18 × 40, 12 ft legs
Quick reference
Carport footprints and covered area
Covered area = width × length
| Width × length | Covered area | Cars covered, planning envelope | Gap per side | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12′ × 20′ | 240 sq ft | 1 | 2′ 9″ | One car |
| 18′ × 20′ | 360 sq ft | 2 | 1′ 8″ | One car plus walk-around |
| 20′ × 20′ | 400 sq ft | 2 | 2′ 4″ | Two compact cars |
| 24′ × 26′ | 624 sq ft | 3 | 1′ 2″ | Two full-size vehicles |
| 30′ × 30′ | 900 sq ft | 4 | 0′ 10″ | Three vehicles |
| 18′ × 40′ | 720 sq ft | 2 | 1′ 8″ | RV or boat cover |
Carport width is ordered post to post. The usable cover is narrower than the vehicles beneath it once the posts are set.
Coverage
How much of a vehicle a carport actually shelters
A roof covers the plan area beneath it and nothing more. A 12 ft wide cover over a 6 ft 6 in car leaves 2′ 9″ on each side, which rain reaches at any angle. Owners who want a dry door open at the side rather than the end usually go to 18 ft of width.
Clearance
Height bands and what they clear
Leg height against published and stated unit heights
| Leg height | Clears a car (5 ft) | Clears a pickup (6 ft 6 in) | Clears a Class B van (9 ft 4 in) | Clears a Class C (11 ft) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6′ | Yes | No | No | No |
| 8′ | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| 10′ | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| 12′ | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 14′ | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Class B and Class C heights are published Winnebago figures. Car and pickup heights are the stated planning envelopes.
Planning
Where a carport stops making sense
A 24 x 26 cover is 624 sq ft of roof. An enclosed building of the same footprint adds four walls and turns cover into storage. If the reason for the carport is weather on three sides, compare both at the same footprint before ordering — the roof is the part you have already bought.
Evidence
Where these numbers come from
Evidence record
- Platform calculation
Footprint square footage = width x depth
Computed on this page
- Platform calculation
Remaining clearance = interior dimension minus the parked envelope
Computed on this page
- Verified source
2024 Honda Civic Sedan LX: 184.0 in long, 70.9 in wide, 55.7 in high (15.33 ft x 5.91 ft x 4.64 ft)
2024 Honda Civic Sedan Specifications and Features — American Honda Motor Co.
- Planning assumption
The 7 ft x 19 ft parked envelope used in the clearance arithmetic is a stated planning input, not a measured average of the US fleet
Computed on this page
Computed values are recalculated whenever this page renders. Published figures link to the source document. Planning inputs are shown as inputs so you can substitute your own.
Keep planning
Next step
Answers
Common questions
Twenty feet of width covers two compact cars; 24 ft covers two full-size vehicles with room to open doors. Carport width is measured post to post, so the sheltered area is what sits between the legs.
Six feet clears a car, 8 ft clears a pickup, 10 ft clears a Class B van and 12 ft clears a Class C motorhome at its published 11 ft height.
Per covered square foot it is, because there are no walls. Whether it is the better buy depends on whether you need cover or storage — this page shows the same footprint both ways so you can compare.
Continue your research
Related planning topics
Background reading on the questions this page raises. None of these pages sells anything.
Planning a building?
Cover or enclose?
Compare a carport against an enclosed footprint of the same width before you order.
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