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How big should my garage be?

Shows the bare minimum and a realistic size with room to open car doors, walk around, and store things. Pick the number of cars and your biggest vehicle.

Garage size (inside)

24 x 26 ft

Floor area624 sq ft
Garage doorsOne 16 x 7 ft door, or two 9 x 7 ft
Space beside each carabout 3 ft
Ceiling height8 to 9 ft
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How to measure

Measure your biggest vehicle's length and width with the mirrors out, or look it up. Then decide how much room you want to walk around, open doors, and store things.

Tips from the field

  • Car doors need about 30 to 36 inches to open enough to get out. Minimum garages leave you squeezing out sideways.
  • Add 4 to 6 feet of depth for a workbench or shelving along the back wall.
  • Check your local code and any HOA rules for setbacks and size limits before you draw it up.

What you'll need

Garage doorWall shelvingWorkbenchGarage floor coating

Common questions

What is the minimum size for a two-car garage?

About 20 by 20 feet, but that's tight. 24 by 24 feet lets you open doors and walk around both cars.

How deep should a garage be for a pickup truck?

Full-size crew cab pickups run 19 to 20 feet long, so plan at least 24 feet deep, and 28 feet or more if you want a workbench.

How wide is a two-car garage door?

16 feet is standard. Two separate 9 foot doors are easier to back through and keep one bay closed.

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