As a general guide, single garages in the UK are usually between 2.5 metres (8 feet 2 inches) and 3.5 metres (11 feet 6 inches) wide, and between 4.8 metres (15 feet 9 inches) and 6 metres (19 feet 8 inches) deep.
A garage at the smaller end of this range may fit a small or medium car, but it can leave limited room to open the doors, walk around the vehicle or add storage.
In the UK, an average-sized single garage typically has a floor area of 129 to 226 square feet (12 to 21 square metres), which can usually accommodate small and medium cars.
In England, permitted development rules do not set a maximum garage size. The garage must meet limits covering its height, position and how much of the land around the original house is already built on.
It must be single storey and can be up to 4 metres (13 feet 1 inch) high with a dual-pitched roof or 3 metres (9 feet 10 inches) high with another roof type.
The maximum eaves height is 2.5 metres (8 feet 2 inches). If any part of the garage is within 2 metres of a boundary, the whole building must be no higher than 2.5 metres.
All extensions and outbuildings, including the new garage, must take up no more than half the land around the original house.
Other restrictions may apply, so check with your Local Planning Authority and read our guide to planning permission for garages. Rules differ elsewhere in the UK.
In the UK, national regulations do not require a minimum garage size. However, local planning authorities and building control departments sometimes set specific guidelines.
At Chart Garages, the smallest garage we build is 3 metres (9 feet 10 inches) wide by 5.4 metres (17 feet 9 inches) deep. That is because we believe ease of access, walking space, and ample storage room are essential to any garage.
It depends on the size of the vehicles you want to store in it. As a practical guide, a two-car garage should be around 6 metres wide by 6 metres deep (19 feet 8 inches by 19 feet 8 inches). This gives most cars enough room for parking and opening the doors.
Always check the dimensions of both vehicles, including their mirrors, and use the garage’s internal measurements when planning the space.
It can be tempting to pick the smallest garage size that fits your vehicle to save money. However, a smaller garage will likely pose an inconvenience.
If you choose a garage size just big enough to fit your current car, you might need to park on one side or reverse in so you have enough space to open the driver’s door. That means being careful when parking your car, even if you are in a rush. You may also have very little room for tools, bikes or gardening equipment.
To choose the garage size that suits your needs, consider the following factors.
Start by checking the full dimensions of your car, including its side mirrors.
When looking at garage sizes, confirm whether the measurements are internal or external. Internal dimensions show how much usable space you will have for the vehicle, opening its doors and walking around it.
The car should fit comfortably through the garage entrance with its mirrors open, with enough room inside to open the doors safely.
Check how much outdoor space the garage will use and whether there is enough room to access it safely. Allow space to drive in, open the doors and turn if needed.
Think about where you or your visitors will park when the garage is in use. You may also want to keep room for paths, bins, bikes or other garden features. . For more advice on access and positioning, read our guide to choosing the best garage placement on your property.
A garage will outlast your current vehicle by many years, so choosing a size that suits your plans is important. When you retire, you may start a new hobby that requires a workshop. When the kids move out, you may want to claim one of their rooms to use it as a home office and move their belongings into storage.
You may buy a larger car in the future, and modern cars have become wider over time. Allowing extra space now could make the garage more useful for future vehicles.
A garage is an asset - think about how to leverage it in the future.
If you are a confident driver, ease of parking might seem a minor factor. However, driving or reversing into a small garage requires attention and patience, even on days when you are exhausted. Building a garage just a few feet wider can make a huge difference in convenience.
The bigger the garage, the more room you will have to open the doors of your car and walk around. Extra walking space is especially beneficial when retrieving items inside the vehicle.
Will you store only your vehicle in the garage? Or do you want to build standing shelves where you can keep tools, gardening equipment, snow chains, and more? Do you own any bikes?
Size is only one part of the design. Read our guide to making a detached garage look like part of your property for advice on its position, materials and appearance.
Small cars are typically between 1.6 metres (5 feet 3 inches) and 1.8 metres (5 feet 11 inches) wide, and between 3.5 metres (11 feet 6 inches) and 4.2 metres (13 feet 9 inches) long. Measurements vary by model and may not include the side mirrors.
Examples of small cars include:
For a small car, we recommend a garage that is 3 metres (9 feet 10 inches) wide by 5.4 metres (17 feet 9 inches) deep. This size can provide more room to open the car doors, walk around the vehicle and add some storage, depending on the car’s dimensions.
If space and budget allow, a slightly larger garage can make parking, storage and future use more convenient.
Medium-sized cars and family SUVs are typically between 1.8 metres (5 feet 11 inches) and 2 metres (6 feet 7 inches) wide, and between 4.3 metres (14 feet 1 inch) and 4.75 metres (15 feet 7 inches) long.
Examples of medium cars include:
For a medium-sized car, we recommend a garage that is 3.6 metres (11 feet 10 inches) wide and 5.4 metres (17 feet 9 inches) deep. For more storage space, consider increasing the depth to 6.1 metres (20 feet) or 7.3 metres (23 feet 11 inches).
Large cars and SUVs are typically between 1.9 metres (6 feet 3 inches) and 2 metres (6 feet 7 inches) wide, and between 4.4 metres (14 feet 5 inches) and 5 metres (16 feet 5 inches) long.
Examples of large cars include:
For a large car or SUV, consider a garage that is 3.6 metres (11 feet 10 inches) wide by 6.1 metres (20 feet) deep. For more storage space, you could increase the width to 4.2 metres (13 feet 9 inches) or the depth to 7.3 metres (23 feet 11 inches).
Common single garage door sizes include 2.134 metres (7 feet) wide by 1.981 metres (6 feet 6 inches) high, and 2.134 metres (7 feet) wide by 2.134 metres (7 feet) high.
A common double garage door size is 4.267 metres (14 feet) wide by 2.134 metres (7 feet) high. Other sizes are available, so check the door manufacturer’s measurements and the opening needed before choosing your garage design.
If you own more than one vehicle, you can add extra parking bays where the available space allows. This can keep several vehicles secure in one building while giving each one its own entrance.
However, one bay does not always equal one usable parking space. The vehicle size, bay width, door opening and internal layout will determine how comfortably each car fits.
A garage can provide more than parking and storage. You could use all or part of the building as a workshop, gym, art studio, music room or space for hobbies.
Think about how you will use it before choosing the size and layout. You may need insulation, ventilation, heating, lighting or additional electrical work to make the space comfortable and safe.
Planning permission and Building Regulations requirements will depend on how you will use the room. Any new electrical supply, including a connection to the house or a solar and battery system, should be designed and installed by qualified professionals.
At Chart Garages, all our timber garages are made to order. You can choose the number of bays, building depth, door sizes and extra space needed for storage or hobbies.
Our team can help you compare your vehicle measurements with the available garage sizes and create a layout that suits your home, plot and future plans.
