Steel building size planner
Pick what the building is for and see common planning sizes, each with the published figures behind it.
- Planning envelope used
- Planning envelope, car — 16 ft × 6.5 ft
- Stalls planned
- 2
Common planning option
20 × 20 — 400 sq ft
Shown because: Recorded in our garage reference as a 2-stall footprint (two compact cars). Across the door wall it leaves 7 ft of total width beyond 2 × 6.5 ft planning envelope, car, and 4 ft of depth behind a 16 ft vehicle.
Rules applied: GAR-01, GAR-02, GAR-03, SHR-03, SHR-01
More room for storage or workspace
24 × 24 — 576 sq ft
Shown because: Recorded in our garage reference as a 2-stall footprint (two cars, most-built two-car footprint). Across the door wall it leaves 11 ft of total width beyond 2 × 6.5 ft planning envelope, car, and 8 ft of depth behind a 16 ft vehicle.
Rules applied: GAR-01, GAR-02, GAR-03, SHR-03, SHR-01
Larger planning option
24 × 30 — 720 sq ft
Shown because: Recorded in our garage reference as a 2-stall footprint (two cars plus depth for storage). Across the door wall it leaves 11 ft of total width beyond 2 × 6.5 ft planning envelope, car, and 14 ft of depth behind a 16 ft vehicle.
Rules applied: GAR-01, GAR-02, GAR-03, SHR-03, SHR-01
How this works
Garage options come from the footprints published in our garage dimension reference. RV and boat options add our stated walk-around and side allowances to your vehicle's dimensions. Workshop options add your floor-area request to the bays you asked for. Options are then matched to sizes we already publish guides for.
Assumptions
Vehicle planning envelopes are stated round figures (16 × 6.5 ft for a car, 19 × 7 ft for a full-size pickup or SUV). RV allowances are 4 ft of walk-around length, 2 ft each side and 1 ft for roof equipment. Options are drawn from the sizes we have validated guides for.
Limitations
This is planning guidance, not structural engineering and not code approval. It is no substitute for measuring your own vehicle or equipment and confirming clearances. Your final configuration depends on your site and your project requirements.
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The size calculator turns any width and length straight into square footage.
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