Dimension Carport: How to Read Width, Length and Height
CarportBay Editorial Team Last verified
A carport dimension like 20x20x10 reads width, length and leg height, in feet. The last number is usually leg height at the eave, with the peak 2 to 4.5 ft higher. A 2026 F-150 stands 80.7 in tall and clears a 7 ft leg by 3.3 in. A 20x20 covers 400 sq ft, twice the 200 sq ft permit baseline.
On this page
Size Checker
Pick a width, a length, a leg height and one to three vehicles to see the gap per space, the length left, the height margin and the square feet for the footprint you choose.
What does a carport dimension like 20x20x10 mean?
A carport dimension code gives width, length and leg height, in that order and in feet. Metal America (updated 2026-06-12) sells widths of 12 to 30 ft, lengths in 5 ft steps and heights of 6 to 12 ft measured on the side wall. So 20x20x10 is 20 ft wide by 20 ft long by 10 ft tall at the eave, a footprint of 400 sq ft or 37.2 sq m.
| Code | Width (ft) | Length (ft) | Leg (ft) | Area (sq ft) | Metric size | Margin, F-150 (in) | Margin, Camry (in) | Size page |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12x20x7 | 12 | 20 | 7 | 240 | 3.66x6.10 m | +3.3 | +27.1 | 12x20 carport |
| 12x20x8 | 12 | 20 | 8 | 240 | 3.66x6.10 m | +15.3 | +39.1 | 12x20 carport |
| 18x21x8 | 18 | 21 | 8 | 378 | 5.49x6.40 m | +15.3 | +39.1 | 18x21 carport dimensions |
| 20x20x7 | 20 | 20 | 7 | 400 | 6.10x6.10 m | +3.3 | +27.1 | 20x20 carport |
| 20x20x8 | 20 | 20 | 8 | 400 | 6.10x6.10 m | +15.3 | +39.1 | 20x20 carport |
| 20x20x10 | 20 | 20 | 10 | 400 | 6.10x6.10 m | +39.3 | +63.1 | 20x20 carport |
| 20x30x9 | 20 | 30 | 9 | 600 | 6.10x9.14 m | +27.3 | +51.1 | 20x30 carport dimensions |
| 20x30x10 | 20 | 30 | 10 | 600 | 6.10x9.14 m | +39.3 | +63.1 | 20x30 carport dimensions |
| 20x40x10 | 20 | 40 | 10 | 800 | 6.10x12.19 m | +39.3 | +63.1 | 20x40 carport dimensions |
| 20x40x14 | 20 | 40 | 14 | 800 | 6.10x12.19 m | +87.3 | +111.1 | 20x40 carport dimensions |
| 30x40x14 | 30 | 40 | 14 | 1,200 | 9.14x12.19 m | +87.3 | +111.1 | 30x40 carport dimensions |
Margins are leg height in inches minus the vehicle height. A 2026 Ford F-150 is 80.7 in tall and a 2025 Toyota Camry is 56.9 in.
A negative margin means the vehicle is taller than the leg. The F-150 is 8.7 in too tall for a 6 ft leg, and the Camry clears it by 15.1 in. For every size, use the carport size guide and sizing calculator.
Leg height, center clearance and peak: which height is the carport height?
Carport height in a listing code means leg height, the clearance at the eave on the side wall. Eagle Carports keeps side height apart from peak height (2025-04-10). Center clearance is the height under the ridge, and the peak is the top of the roof.
| Height | Where it is measured | Who prints it | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leg height (eave or side height) | At the eave, on the side wall | Metal America, Carports R Us, Eagle Carports | 8 ft in a 12x20x8 |
| Center clearance | Under the ridge, mid-width | Alan's Factory Outlet: 2 ft 3 in more than the leg | Leg height plus the rise |
| Peak | The top of the roof | Carports R Us (2026-09-23): 2 to 4.5 ft above the leg | A 12x20x8 peaks near 10 ft 3 in |
Carports R Us says the peak sits 2 to 4.5 ft higher than the leg height (page dated 2026-09-23). Alan's Factory Outlet gives one example: 2 ft 3 in more clearance at the center of a 12 ft wide roof.
| Width (ft) | Rise (ft) | Peak above an 8 ft leg (ft) |
|---|---|---|
| 12 | 2.25 | 10.25 |
| 18 | 3.38 | 11.38 |
| 20 | 3.75 | 11.75 |
| 24 | 4.50 | 12.50 |
Table 2b is an example: Alan's 2 ft 3 in is 2.25 ft over a 6 ft half-span, or 4.5 in of rise per 12 in of run. Confirm the pitch on the seller's drawing.
What are the standard dimensions of a carport?
Standard carport dimensions depend on how many vehicles the carport holds. Seller guides give 12x20 for one vehicle and 20x20 to 24x24 for two. Table 3 shows three sellers, each dated.
| Seller | Use | Size | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alan's Factory Outlet | 1 vehicle | 12–18 ft wide | None |
| Alan's Factory Outlet | 2 vehicles | 20–24 ft wide | None |
| Alan's Factory Outlet | 3 vehicles | 30–38 ft wide | None |
| Alan's Factory Outlet | 4 and 5 vehicles | 40–48 and 50–60 ft wide | None |
| Eagle Carports | 1 vehicle | 12 ft wide at least, 14–16 ft common | 2025-04-10 |
| Eagle Carports | 2 vehicles | 18–24 ft wide | 2025-04-10 |
| Metal America | Single car | 12x20x8 | 2026-06-12 |
| Metal America | Single truck or SUV | 12x21x9 | 2026-06-12 |
| Metal America | Two cars | 20x21x8 | 2026-06-12 |
| Metal America | Two trucks | 24x22x9 | 2026-06-12 |
| Metal America | Three vehicles | 30x21x9 | 2026-06-12 |
Three working tiers follow: one vehicle at 12 to 18 ft wide, two at 20 to 24 ft and three at 30 to 38 ft. For two, see 2 car carport dimensions. For a triple wide with a lean-to, see triple wide carport with lean-to sizes.
How wide should a carport be?
Carport width is the first number in the code, and it sets the gap beside each vehicle. A gap is the space beside and between vehicles. A 2025 Toyota Camry is 72.4 in wide, so a 12 ft width leaves 35.8 in on each side. A 2026 Ford F-150 leaves 32.1 in with mirrors in and 24.2 in with mirrors extended (95.7 in).
| Width and vehicles | 2025 Camry | 2025 CR-V | 2026 F-150 | F-150, mirrors out | 2025 Silverado |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 vehicle, 12 ft | 35.8 | 35.3 | 32.1 | 24.2 (under 30) | 31.5 |
| 1 vehicle, 14 ft | 47.8 | 47.3 | 44.1 | 36.2 | 43.5 |
| 1 vehicle, 16 ft | 59.8 | 59.3 | 56.1 | 48.2 | 55.5 |
| 1 vehicle, 18 ft | 71.8 | 71.3 | 68.1 | 60.2 | 67.5 |
| 2 vehicles, 18 ft | 23.7 (under 30) | 23.0 (under 30) | 18.7 (under 30) | 8.2 (under 12) | 17.9 (under 30) |
| 2 vehicles, 20 ft | 31.7 | 31.0 | 26.7 (under 30) | 16.2 (under 30) | 25.9 (under 30) |
| 2 vehicles, 22 ft | 39.7 | 39.0 | 34.7 | 24.2 (under 30) | 33.9 |
| 2 vehicles, 24 ft | 47.7 | 47.0 | 42.7 | 32.2 | 41.9 |
| 2 vehicles, 26 ft | 55.7 | 55.0 | 50.7 | 40.2 | 49.9 |
| 3 vehicles, 30 ft | 35.7 | 34.9 | 30.1 | 18.2 (under 30) | 29.2 (under 30) |
| 3 vehicles, 32 ft | 41.7 | 40.9 | 36.1 | 24.2 (under 30) | 35.2 |
| 3 vehicles, 36 ft | 53.7 | 52.9 | 48.1 | 36.2 | 47.2 |
| 3 vehicles, 38 ft | 59.7 | 58.9 | 54.1 | 42.2 | 53.2 |
The 30 in and 12 in markers are CarportBay's own, not an industry standard. Clear width removes about 2.5 in of leg tubing per outer edge, leaving the Camry 33.3 in each side at 12 ft (arithmetic).
Two 2026 F-150s under a 20 ft width leave 26.7 in per gap, under the 30 in marker, and 42.7 in at 24 ft. Three leave 30.1 in at 30 ft. For one vehicle, see the 12x20 carport. For two, see the 20x20 carport. The two-vehicle gaps are also in 2 car carport dimensions.
How long should a carport be?
Carport length is the second number in the code, and it can mean the frame or the roof. Carports R Us says a 12x21 or 20x21 carport has a 20 ft frame on a 20 ft slab, so 21 ft is roof length (2026-09-23). Size pages call the same measure depth.
| Length of the carport | 2025 Camry | 2025 CR-V | 2025 RAV4 | 2026 F-150 (longest) | 2025 Silverado |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 ft | 22.5 | 31.2 | 35.1 | 27.9 short | 25.4 short |
| 20 ft | 46.5 | 55.2 | 59.1 | 3.9 short | 1.4 short |
| 21 ft | 58.5 | 67.2 | 71.1 | 8.1 | 10.6 |
| 22 ft | 70.5 | 79.2 | 83.1 | 20.1 | 22.6 |
| 24 ft | 94.5 | 103.2 | 107.1 | 44.1 | 46.6 |
| 26 ft | 118.5 | 127.2 | 131.1 | 68.1 | 70.6 |
| 30 ft | 166.5 | 175.2 | 179.1 | 116.1 | 118.6 |
A 2025 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 crew cab (241.4 in) is 1.4 in longer than the frame and 10.6 in shorter than the roof. Size the slab to the frame. For the 12x20, see the 12x20 carport. For more length, see 20x30 carport dimensions. For the longest size, see 20x40 carport dimensions.
How tall should the legs of a carport be?
Carport leg height depends on the tallest vehicle under it. Carports R Us says legs of 6 or 7 ft are standard and 8–9 ft suit lifted trucks and roof racks (page dated 2026-09-23). The 2026 Ford F-150 needs a leg of at least 6.73 ft.
| Vehicle | Height (in) | 6 ft | 7 ft | 8 ft | 9 ft | 10 ft | 12 ft | 14 ft |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Toyota Camry | 56.9 | +15.1 | +27.1 | +39.1 | +51.1 | +63.1 | +87.1 | +111.1 |
| 2025 Honda CR-V | 66.5 | +5.5 | +17.5 | +29.5 | +41.5 | +53.5 | +77.5 | +101.5 |
| 2025 Toyota RAV4 | 67.2 | +4.8 | +16.8 | +28.8 | +40.8 | +52.8 | +76.8 | +100.8 |
| 2026 Ford F-150 | 80.7 | -8.7 | +3.3 | +15.3 | +27.3 | +39.3 | +63.3 | +87.3 |
| 2025 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 crew cab | 75.4 | -3.4 | +8.6 | +20.6 | +32.6 | +44.6 | +68.6 | +92.6 |
Roof racks, cargo boxes and a lifted suspension add height and are not in these margins.
Table 6b gives each RV class at its tallest height (Storage.com, 2026-06-09). For RV carports, see RV carport sizing.
| RV class | Height (ft) | 12 ft | 14 ft | 16 ft |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Class A motorhome | 13.5 | -18.0 | +6.0 | +30.0 |
| Class B motorhome | 10 | +24.0 | +48.0 | +72.0 |
| Class C motorhome | 12 | 0.0 | +24.0 | +48.0 |
| Fifth wheel | 13.5 | -18.0 | +6.0 | +30.0 |
| Travel trailer | 11 | +12.0 | +36.0 | +60.0 |
| Toy hauler | 13 | -12.0 | +12.0 | +36.0 |
Carport size chart: square feet, metric and what each size holds
The carport size chart lists square feet, metric size and the ratio to the 200 sq ft permit baseline for eleven sizes. The last column holds the arithmetic for a 2025 Camry and a 2026 F-150.
| Size | Area (sq ft) | Metric size | Ratio to 200 sq ft | What it holds (gap in inches, length in inches) | Size page |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12x20 | 240 | 3.66x6.10 m (22.3 m²) | 1.20 | 1 vehicle: Camry 35.8 each side. F-150 3.9 short. | 12x20 carport |
| 12x21 | 252 | 3.66x6.40 m (23.4 m²) | 1.26 | 1 vehicle: Camry 35.8 each side. | |
| 18x20 | 360 | 5.49x6.10 m (33.4 m²) | 1.80 | 2 vehicles: Camry 23.7. F-150 3.9 short. | |
| 18x21 | 378 | 5.49x6.40 m (35.1 m²) | 1.89 | 2 vehicles: Camry 23.7. | 18x21 carport dimensions |
| 20x20 | 400 | 6.10x6.10 m (37.2 m²) | 2.00 | 2 vehicles: Camry 31.7, F-150 26.7. F-150 3.9 short. | 20x20 carport |
| 20x21 | 420 | 6.10x6.40 m (39.0 m²) | 2.10 | 2 vehicles: Camry 31.7, F-150 26.7. | |
| 20x30 | 600 | 6.10x9.14 m (55.7 m²) | 3.00 | 2 vehicles: Camry 31.7, F-150 26.7. | 20x30 carport dimensions |
| 20x40 | 800 | 6.10x12.19 m (74.3 m²) | 4.00 | 2 vehicles: Camry 31.7, F-150 26.7. | 20x40 carport dimensions |
| 24x24 | 576 | 7.32x7.32 m (53.5 m²) | 2.88 | 2 vehicles: Camry 47.7, F-150 42.7. | 24x24 carport dimensions |
| 30x30 | 900 | 9.14x9.14 m (83.6 m²) | 4.50 | 3 vehicles: Camry 35.7, F-150 30.1. | |
| 30x40 | 1,200 | 9.14x12.19 m (111.5 m²) | 6.00 | 3 vehicles: Camry 35.7, F-150 30.1. | 30x40 carport dimensions |
Square feet is width times length, and metres use 0.3048 per foot. Seller pages list 12x20 and 12x21 as two codes for one frame, so read the frame length before you compare square feet. For a 24 ft width, see 24x24 carport dimensions.
Why do two listings of the same carport size show different dimensions?
Two listings of one carport size can differ because sellers print height, length and width in different ways. Ask five questions before you compare them.
- Is the last number leg height or peak? Metal America and Carports R Us measure at the eave.
- Is the length the frame or the roof? A 12x21 listing has a 20 ft frame.
- Is the width nominal or clear? Clear width is about 5 in narrower in total.
- Does the spec table agree with the title?
- What does the leg height exclude, such as a roof rack or door header? See carport frame tube sizes.
Does a carport need a permit at these sizes?
A carport permit depends on the size and the place. The International Residential Code (IRC) R105.2 item 1 exempts one-story detached accessory structures of 200 sq ft or less. Each size in Table 8 is above that, and a city can set its own rule.
| Code or source | Rule stated | For these sizes | Source, read 2026-10-05 |
|---|---|---|---|
| IRC 2021 R105.2, item 1 | One-story detached accessory structures up to 200 sq ft are exempt | 12x20 is 1.20 times the line, 20x20 2.00, 20x30 3.00, 20x40 4.00, 30x40 6.00 | Grant County, WA copy |
| Portland, OR, Building Official Determination 21-01 | Detached carports up to 200 sq ft are exempt, measured at the drip line | The overhang counts toward the area | Portland, OR |
| City of San Antonio, TX, carport fact sheet (20240125) | Carports must be 20 ft deep, including the area under the carport | A 20 ft length meets it, and an 18 ft length does not | San Antonio, TX |
This table gives general information from the codes and documents cited above. Confirm current requirements with your local building department before beginning construction.
Dimension carport: common questions
20x20x10 means 20 ft wide, 20 ft long and 10 ft tall at the eave. The seller guides read for this page print width first, length second and height last. The footprint is 400 sq ft. The peak sits higher than the 10 ft leg: a 20 ft wide roof with the 4.5-in-12 pitch in Alan's example rises about 3.75 ft more.
Seller guides give 12x20 as the common one-vehicle size and 20x20 to 24x24 for two vehicles. Alan's Factory Outlet lists widths of 12–18 ft for one vehicle, 20–24 ft for two and 30–38 ft for three. Metal America recommends 12x20x8 for one car and 20x21x8 for two (updated 2026-06-12).
Eagle Carports puts the minimum width for one vehicle at 12 ft (blog dated 2025-04-10), and the length must exceed the vehicle. A 2025 Toyota Camry is 193.5 in (16.1 ft) long and 72.4 in wide, so a 12 ft width leaves 35.8 in on each side.
Sellers list 20 or 21 ft as the length of a single-vehicle carport, and Metal America sells lengths in 5 ft steps. Carports R Us says a 12x21 carport has a 20 ft frame under a 21 ft roof. A 2026 F-150 up to 243.9 in (20.3 ft) is 3.9 in longer than a 20 ft frame.
The listed height is the leg height at the eave, from 6 to 12 ft at Metal America. The peak sits 2 to 4.5 ft higher (Carports R Us, 2026-09-23). On a 12 ft width, Alan's example adds 2 ft 3 in at the center, so a 12x20x8 peaks near 10 ft 3 in.
A 12x20 carport covers 240 sq ft, or 22.3 sq m. The 12x21 listing covers 252 sq ft of roof over the same 20 ft frame, because the roof extends about 1 ft past the frame (Carports R Us, 2026-09-23).
A 12x20 carport is 3.66 m by 6.10 m (22.3 sq m), and a 20x20 is 6.10 m by 6.10 m (37.2 sq m). A 24x24 is 7.32 m by 7.32 m (53.5 sq m). Leg heights of 7, 8 and 10 ft are 2.13, 2.44 and 3.05 m.
Seller-installed listings for 24 ft wide carports ran from $2,495 to $4,987.50 on 2026-10-05, and Carport Solution listed its 24x24 at $2,800. HomeGuide (updated 2026-01-16) gives $8–$20 per sq ft installed, which is $4,608–$11,520 on 576 sq ft.
Next steps for your carport dimensions
Pick the footprint that matches your vehicles, then test it in the carport size guide and sizing calculator. Sizes in a listing describe the structure, so read the carport kit buying guide to see which kits list legs, panels and hardware.
Sources
Vehicle dimensions come from the makers or the listings named below, seller statements from the dated pages, and codes from the code bodies and city documents. All were read on October 5 or 6, 2026 unless noted.
- Carports R Us, carport sizes: frame and roof length, leg height, peak range, standard legs.
- Metal America, the complete carport guide: widths, lengths, heights, recommended sizes.
- Alan's Factory Outlet, standard carport sizes and dimensions: width by vehicle count, center clearance example.
- Eagle Carports, carport size guide for RV covers and trucks: minimum width, side height and peak height.
- Honda, 2025 CR-V specifications: CR-V dimensions.
- Ford, F-150 specifications: F-150 width with and without mirrors, length range and height.
- Cars.com, 2025 Toyota Camry: Camry dimensions, secondary listing.
- iSeeCars, 2025 Toyota RAV4: RAV4 dimensions, secondary listing.
- Dimensions.com, Silverado 1500 Crew Cab: Silverado dimensions, secondary listing.
- Storage.com, average RV size: RV class heights.
- Grant County, WA, copy of the 2021 IRC section R105.2: 200 sq ft exemption.
- Portland, OR, Building Official Determination 21-01: drip-line rule.
- City of San Antonio, carport fact sheet: 20 ft depth.
- Alan's Factory Outlet, 24x25 regular roof: 24 ft wide listing price.
- Carport Solution, 24x24 metal carport: 24x24 listing price.
- Metal Barn Central, 24x26 vertical roof: 24 ft wide listing price.
- HomeGuide, cost to build a carport: installed cost per square foot.
Last verified: October 6, 2026
Last verified: October 2026. Seller pages and codes were read on October 5 and 6, 2026, and each dated statement shows its own date.