Shed plans (free PDF)

Choose a size

• 

  8x8 shed plans

  64 sq ft · 4 ft double door · about 81 boards

  Materials roughly $1,550–$2,070

• 

  8x10 shed plans

  80 sq ft · 4 ft double door · about 90 boards

  Materials roughly $1,810–$2,430

• 

  8x12 shed plans

  96 sq ft · 4 ft double door · about 96 boards

  Materials roughly $1,980–$2,650

• 

  10x10 shed plans

  100 sq ft · 5 ft double door · about 97 boards

  Materials roughly $2,090–$2,790

• 

  10x12 shed plans

  120 sq ft · 5 ft double door · about 103 boards

  Materials roughly $2,290–$3,060

• 

  10x16 shed plans

  160 sq ft · 5 ft double door · about 118 boards

  Materials roughly $2,780–$3,710

• 

  12x12 shed plans

  144 sq ft · 6 ft double door · about 108 boards

  Materials roughly $2,570–$3,440

• 

  12x16 shed plans

  192 sq ft · 6 ft double door · about 123 boards

  Materials roughly $3,070–$4,110

• 

  12x20 shed plans

  240 sq ft · 6 ft double door · about 148 boards

  Materials roughly $3,610–$4,830

Sizes side by side

Estimates use typical US home-center prices in 2026 for lumber, sheets, roofing, hardware and gravel. Prices vary a lot by region; price your own list.

The design

Need a lean-to instead?

For a shed against a fence or a garage wall, a single-slope roof is simpler and keeps the tall side away from the neighbours. Our lean-to shed plans come in 4x8, 6x8, 8x10, 8x12 and 10x12 on one page, with the same skids, floor and T1-11 siding as these gable sheds.

Questions

Which shed size should I build?

Start from the biggest thing you will store and the door it needs. The 8 ft wide sheds have a 4 ft double door: fine for push mowers, wheelbarrows and bikes. The 10 ft wide sheds have a 5 ft door, and the 12 ft wide sheds a 6 ft door that takes a riding mower. Depth is shelving and walking room: each extra 2 ft of depth adds a little under 20 sq ft of floor.

Do I need a permit for a shed?

It depends on the floor area and your town. The current IRC exempts one-story storage sheds up to 200 sq ft from a building permit, but many towns still use 120 or 100 sq ft, and zoning rules (setbacks from property lines, easements, HOA rules) apply at every size. Each size page says where that size falls.

What foundation do these sheds use?

Pressure-treated 4x6 skids on solid concrete blocks over a 4" gravel pad. A skid foundation needs no concrete pour and keeps the floor frame off wet ground. Three skids carry every size; the 12x20 skids are spliced over a block.

What lumber and materials do the plans use?

Standard US lumber: 2x6 floor joists at 16" centres, 2x4 walls at 16" centres with a double top plate, 2x6 rafters at 24" centres with plywood gussets and 2x4 rafter ties, 3/4" plywood floor, 1/2" plywood roof deck, 5/8" T1-11 siding and asphalt shingles. Most boards are 8 ft; longer boards are only used where a part needs them.

Are the free plans complete?

Yes. The free PDF has the drawings, the floor, wall and roof framing plans and every build step with the cut lengths written in. The premium edition adds the rolled-up cut list, a board-by-board cutting diagram, 4×8 sheet layouts and the full shopping list.