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Free shed plan

12x16 Shed Plans: Gable Roof

A big workshop-size shed. Plan the foundation carefully and check permits before you buy lumber.

sq ft
192
boards
137
sheets
30
offcut
4.8%
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12 ft wide by 16 ft deep, 6/12 gable roof, about 11' 9-3/8" to the peak.

Specifications

Footprint12' wide x 16' deep (192 sq ft)
RoofGable, 6/12 pitch, 6" eaves
Wall height7' 4-3/4" to top of plates
Overall heightabout 11' 9-3/8" from grade to peak
Framing2x4 walls at 16" OC, 2x6 rafters at 16" OC, 2x6 joists at 16" OC
Foundation4 pressure-treated 4x6 skids on a gravel pad
Doordouble door, 48" x 78" on the front wall (rough opening)
Windows2 x 24" x 24" rough opening
Longest board16 ft
Design snow load30 psf

Foundation and floor

4 pressure-treated 4x6 skids run front to back on a compacted gravel pad. The floor joists run across them, so no joist spans more than 46-13/16". See the foundation guide for leveling and squaring.

12' wide16' deepFRONT
Floor framing from above: 13 joists at 16" on center between two rim joists. Skids dashed.

Wall framing

Walls are drawn from the outside. The side walls run the full depth and carry the rafters; the front and back gable walls fit between them. The wall framing guide walks through layout and raising.

DOOR48" x 78"Header 2-2x644-1/2"92-1/2"41-1/2"0"11-3/4"27-3/4"107-3/4"123-3/4"135-1/2"11' 5" long, studs 84-1/4"7' 4-3/4"door head 78"
Front wall: 11' 5" long, 8 full studs at 84-1/4". Tick marks under the wall are stud positions from the left end.

Front wall: layout marks

Marked from the left end of the bottom plate as drawn, heights from the subfloor.
Studs, left edge0", 11-3/4", 27-3/4", 41-1/2", 43", 92-1/2", 94", 107-3/4", 123-3/4", 135-1/2"
Door rough opening44-1/2" to 92-1/2" from the left end (48" wide)
Door header2-2x6, bottom at 78", top at 83-1/2" above the subfloor
0"11-3/4"27-3/4"43-3/4"59-3/4"75-3/4"91-3/4"107-3/4"123-3/4"135-1/2"11' 5" long, studs 84-1/4"7' 4-3/4"
Back wall: 11' 5" long, 10 full studs at 84-1/4". Tick marks under the wall are stud positions from the left end.

Back wall: layout marks

Marked from the left end of the bottom plate as drawn, heights from the subfloor.
Studs, left edge0", 11-3/4", 27-3/4", 43-3/4", 59-3/4", 75-3/4", 91-3/4", 107-3/4", 123-3/4", 135-1/2"
WINDOW24" x 24"Header 2-2x684"108"0"15-1/4"31-1/4"47-1/4"63-1/4"79-1/4"127-1/4"143-1/4"159-1/4"175-1/4"190-1/2"16' long, studs 84-1/4"7' 4-3/4"sill 54"window head 78"
Left side wall: 16' long, 16 full studs at 84-1/4". Tick marks under the wall are stud positions from the left end.

Left side wall: layout marks

Marked from the left end of the bottom plate as drawn, heights from the subfloor.
Studs, left edge0", 1-1/2", 15-1/4", 31-1/4", 47-1/4", 63-1/4", 79-1/4", 81", 82-1/2", 108", 109-1/2", 111-1/4", 127-1/4", 143-1/4", 159-1/4", 175-1/4", 189", 190-1/2"
Window rough opening84" to 108" from the left end (24" wide)
Window silltop of the rough sill at 54" above the subfloor
Window header2-2x6, bottom at 78", top at 83-1/2" above the subfloor
WINDOW24" x 24"Header 2-2x684"108"0"15-1/4"31-1/4"47-1/4"63-1/4"79-1/4"127-1/4"143-1/4"159-1/4"175-1/4"190-1/2"16' long, studs 84-1/4"7' 4-3/4"sill 54"window head 78"
Right side wall: 16' long, 16 full studs at 84-1/4". Tick marks under the wall are stud positions from the left end.

Right side wall: layout marks

Marked from the left end of the bottom plate as drawn, heights from the subfloor.
Studs, left edge0", 1-1/2", 15-1/4", 31-1/4", 47-1/4", 63-1/4", 79-1/4", 81", 82-1/2", 108", 109-1/2", 111-1/4", 127-1/4", 143-1/4", 159-1/4", 175-1/4", 189", 190-1/2"
Window rough opening84" to 108" from the left end (24" wide)
Window silltop of the rough sill at 54" above the subfloor
Window header2-2x6, bottom at 78", top at 83-1/2" above the subfloor

Roof framing

26 2x6 rafters at 16" on center, 6/12 pitch with a 6" eave. A 2x8 ridge board and a 2x4 rafter tie at every pair keep the walls from spreading. The rafter guide shows how to lay out the pattern.

86-3/8" along the edge, plumb cut to plumb cut77-1/4" horizontal run6" tailseat 3-1/2", heel 1-3/4"6/12 plumb cuts (26.6°)
Pattern rafter: 2x6 x 89-1/8" stock, 86-3/8" plumb cut to plumb cut, birdsmouth seat 3-1/2" with a 1-3/4" heel.

Span checks

MemberSizeSpanAllowedResult
Rafters2x65' 11-1/4"11' 11-1/8"bendingOK, 101% spare
Floor joists2x63' 10-13/16"8' 7-13/16"deflectionOK, 122% spare
Window header, left side wall2-2x62' 3"7' 1-1/2"bendingOK, 217% spare
Window header, right side wall2-2x62' 3"7' 1-1/2"bendingOK, 217% spare

Checked for Spruce-Pine-Fir No. 2 with NDS design values, 30 psf snow plus 10 psf dead load, L/180 deflection for rafters. Use a heavier snow load in the designer if your area needs it.

Shopping list

Lumber to buyQty
4x6 pressure-treated (ground contact)
16 ft4
2x6 pressure-treated (ground contact)
12 ft13
16 ft2
2x4 framing lumber
8 ft43
10 ft2
12 ft20
16 ft12
2x6 framing lumber
8 ft22
12 ft4
2x8 framing lumber
16 ft1
1x4 exterior trim board
8 ft12
1x6 exterior trim board
16 ft2
Sheets, roofing and hardwareBuy
Sheet goods
3/4" tongue-and-groove plywood subfloor, 4x8long edge across the joists, end joints staggered6 sheets
Panel siding (T1-11 or engineered wood), 4x8one panel covers the floor frame and the wall, no horizontal joint14 sheets
Panel siding for the gable ends, 4x8triangles nest; includes 15% for angled cuts2 sheets
7/16" OSB roof sheathing, 4x8use H-clips between rafters at unsupported edges8 sheets
Z-flashing for the horizontal siding joints, 10 ft pieces24' of horizontal joint at the top plate under the gables; leave a 3/8" gap above it3 pieces
Roofing
Asphalt shingles, 3 bundles per square2.33 squares plus 10% waste8 bundles
Starter strip shingles32 lin ft along the eaves, counted at 100 lin ft per bundle; check the label1 bundle
Hip and ridge cap shingles16 lin ft of ridge, counted at 20 lin ft per bundle; check the label1 bundle
Synthetic roof underlayment, 10-square roll2.7 squares with laps1 roll
Drip edge, 10 ft pieceseaves and rakes7 pieces
Fasteners and hardware
Framing nails, 16d common, 3-1/2" x 0.162"about 750 nails at about 47 per lb; counted joint by joint to the IRC fastening schedule (2 per stud end, 3 per joist end), 15% spare included16 lb
Toenail nails, 10d box, 3" x 0.128"about 650 nails at about 94 per lb; for the toenailed joints: rafters to plates and ridge, joists to skids, gable studs; 15% spare included7 lb
Galvanized siding nails, 2-1/2" (8d)about 1,200 nails at about 90 per lb; 6" on edges, 12" in the field14 lb
Roof sheathing nails, 2-1/2" (8d)about 500 nails at about 90 per lb; 6" on edges, 12" in the field6 lb
Exterior screws for the subfloor, 2"about 300 screws at about 100 per lb; about 50 per sheet3 lb
Rafter-to-plate connectors (hurricane ties)one at every rafter bearing, fixed with the nails its label calls for26
Roofing nails, 1-1/4"about 850 nails at about 140 per lb; 4 per shingle, about 320 per square7 lb
Construction adhesive (subfloor)one tube per 2 sheets3 tubes
Shed ground anchorsone near each corner; check local wind rules4

Lumber-yard takeoff

The whole shopping list on one printed page, with a box to tick for each line at the yard.

12x16 Gable Shed plan: lumber-yard takeoff

12' x 16' gable, 6/12 roof. Tick each line as it goes on the cart. theshedplanner.com

Lumber

  • 44x6 pressure-treated (ground contact), 16 ft
  • 132x6 pressure-treated (ground contact), 12 ft
  • 22x6 pressure-treated (ground contact), 16 ft
  • 432x4 framing lumber, 8 ft
  • 22x4 framing lumber, 10 ft
  • 202x4 framing lumber, 12 ft
  • 122x4 framing lumber, 16 ft
  • 222x6 framing lumber, 8 ft
  • 42x6 framing lumber, 12 ft
  • 12x8 framing lumber, 16 ft
  • 121x4 exterior trim board, 8 ft
  • 21x6 exterior trim board, 16 ft

Sheet goods

  • 6 sheets3/4" tongue-and-groove plywood subfloor, 4x8
  • 14 sheetsPanel siding (T1-11 or engineered wood), 4x8
  • 2 sheetsPanel siding for the gable ends, 4x8
  • 8 sheets7/16" OSB roof sheathing, 4x8
  • 3 piecesZ-flashing for the horizontal siding joints, 10 ft pieces

Roofing

  • 8 bundlesAsphalt shingles, 3 bundles per square
  • 1 bundleStarter strip shingles
  • 1 bundleHip and ridge cap shingles
  • 1 rollSynthetic roof underlayment, 10-square roll
  • 7 piecesDrip edge, 10 ft pieces

Fasteners and hardware

  • 16 lbFraming nails, 16d common, 3-1/2" x 0.162"
  • 7 lbToenail nails, 10d box, 3" x 0.128"
  • 14 lbGalvanized siding nails, 2-1/2" (8d)
  • 6 lbRoof sheathing nails, 2-1/2" (8d)
  • 3 lbExterior screws for the subfloor, 2"
  • 26Rafter-to-plate connectors (hurricane ties)
  • 7 lbRoofing nails, 1-1/4"
  • 3 tubesConstruction adhesive (subfloor)
  • 4Shed ground anchors

Foundation

  • 1 rollLandscape fabric, enough to cover 14' x 18'

Site prep

  • 3.1 cu ydGravel base: compactable crushed stone, 4" pad 1 ft wider than the shed on every side, before compactionBagged at Home Depot, Hamilton Mill store (ZIP 30011), Sep 30, 2026: $1,086.96 (168 bags of 0.5 cu ft at $6.47). Bulk from a landscape or building supplier is typically cheaper: East Coast Lumber & Building Supply (East Hampstead, NH) listed 3/4 in crushed stone at $69.95 per cubic yard on Sep 30, 2026, delivered in loads of 3 to 8 yards. Site prep, not in the shed materials total.

Cut list

QtySizeLengthPiece
Front wall
22x476-1/2"Jack stud, door
22x651"Header ply, door (48" opening)
22x42-1/4"Cripple above door header
82x484-1/4"Stud
22x4137"Bottom and top plate
12x4144"Cap plate (second top plate)
22x46-5/8"Gable stud (long point)
22x414-5/8"Gable stud (long point)
22x422-5/8"Gable stud (long point)
22x430-5/8"Gable stud (long point)
Back wall
102x484-1/4"Stud
22x4137"Bottom and top plate
12x4144"Cap plate (second top plate)
22x46-5/8"Gable stud (long point)
22x414-5/8"Gable stud (long point)
22x422-5/8"Gable stud (long point)
22x430-5/8"Gable stud (long point)
Left side wall
22x476-1/2"Jack stud, window
22x627"Header ply, window (24" opening)
12x42-1/4"Cripple above window header
12x424"Rough sill, window
12x451"Cripple below window sill
162x484-1/4"Studincludes 2 corner backer studs
22x4192"Bottom and top plate
12x4185"Cap plate (second top plate)
Right side wall
22x476-1/2"Jack stud, window
22x627"Header ply, window (24" opening)
12x42-1/4"Cripple above window header
12x424"Rough sill, window
12x451"Cripple below window sill
162x484-1/4"Studincludes 2 corner backer studs
22x4192"Bottom and top plate
12x4185"Cap plate (second top plate)
Roof
262x689-1/8"Common rafter
12x8192"Ridge board
132x4144"Rafter tie (ends cut to roof slope)
Floor
44x6 PT192"Skid (runs front to back)
132x6 PT141"Floor joist
22x6 PT192"Rim joist (sides)
Trim
81x496"Corner trim board
21x6192"Fascia board (eaves)
41x487-3/16"Rake trim board

Build it in 7 steps

  1. 1

    Check permits and pick the site

    Confirm what your building department and zoning rules require for a 192 sq ft shed, then call 811 before you dig. Read the guide

  2. 2

    Build the foundation

    Level a gravel pad 1 ft wider than the shed and set 4 pressure-treated 4x6 skids 46-13/16" on center. Read the guide

  3. 3

    Frame the floor

    Two 16' rim joists and 13 joists at 141", 16" on center, squared by the diagonals and covered with 3/4" tongue-and-groove plywood.

  4. 4

    Frame and raise the walls

    Build each wall flat with 84-1/4" studs, headers over the openings and a double top plate. Raise, plumb and brace. Read the guide

  5. 5

    Cut and set the rafters

    Make one pattern 2x6 rafter, 86-3/8" plumb cut to plumb cut, test it, then cut 25 more. Set the 2x8 ridge and add a 2x4 rafter tie at every pair. Read the guide

  6. 6

    Sheathe and roof

    Nail 8 sheets of 7/16" OSB, add drip edge and underlayment, then shingles.

  7. 7

    Side and trim

    Hang the panel siding, then the corner boards, fascia and rake trim. Fit the doors and windows and seal every cut edge.

Guides for this build

Other free shed plans