> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://gardenuplift.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # What size shed do I need? - URL: https://gardenuplift.com/what-size-shed-do-i-need/ - Published: 2026-09-19T17:23:00.000Z - Updated: 2026-09-19T19:29:01.000Z - Description: Start with a useful size, then make sure your kit fits. - Author: Kieran Simpson - Tags: Buildings, #garden-managed, #project-shed, #stage-decide, #explainer Practical guide # What size shed do I need? Start with a useful size, then make sure your kit fits. Edited by Kieran Simpson · Researched · checked 2026-09-19 · Stage: Decide 1. [Decide](https://gardenuplift.com/projects/replace-or-add-a-shed/#decide) 2. [Plan](https://gardenuplift.com/projects/replace-or-add-a-shed/#plan) 3. [Budget](https://gardenuplift.com/projects/replace-or-add-a-shed/#budget) 4. [Buy](https://gardenuplift.com/projects/replace-or-add-a-shed/#buy) 5. [Own](https://gardenuplift.com/projects/replace-or-add-a-shed/#own) **Start at 6×4ft for a compact mower and hand tools, 8×6ft for a mixed bike-and-mower store, and 10×8ft for a workbench with useful standing room.** These are our starting sizes for planning. Move up a size if you want to reach everything without a garden-equipment shuffle. **Affiliate disclosure:** This page contains paid links. We may earn a commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. [How we fund our work](https://gardenuplift.com/disclosures/). ## Our starting sizes __Choose a starting size, then check your actual equipment against the interior__ | What goes inside | Start here | Why we would choose it | | ------------------------------------------- | ---------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | | Compact mower, hand tools and a few shelves | 6×4ft | A useful small store when floor space is precious. | | Two bikes and a compact mower | 8×6ft | More room to arrange bulky kit and leave a route to the door. Large bikes or a big mower can justify going larger. | | Workbench and tools, with room to stand | 10×8ft or larger | Enough nominal space to start drawing a working layout rather than just a storage stack. | Our rule: buy for the way you will use the shed on a wet Tuesday, not the most ingenious way you could pack it once. ## Measure the contents first Make an inventory of the items that must live inside. Record their width, length and height in the position in which you intend to store them. Include handles, wheels and anything that protrudes. Draw the items on squared paper and leave a route to the things you use most often. If you want a workbench, draw its full depth and the standing space in front of it. If you need to take out a bicycle without moving the mower, test that movement on the sketch rather than counting floor area alone. ## A tape for the measuring job Use a locking tape to record your equipment, doorway and footprint. If you need one, we recommend the **Stanley PowerLock 5m/16ft (0-33-553)**: its metric and imperial markings are useful when shed names use feet and specification drawings use millimetres. A serviceable tape you already own is sufficient. [See the Stanley PowerLock 5m/16ft at Amazon (paid link)](https://www.amazon.co.uk/Stanley-0-33-553-Imperial-Measure-Powerlock/dp/B000X2CWV0?th=1&linkCode=ll2&tag=gardenuplift-21&linkId=9a18d52cb7929a973339e9ecbb9a9aeb&ref%5F=as%5Fli%5Fss%5Ftl&ref=gardenuplift.com) ![Schematic showing roof outline, wall footprint, usable interior and clear door opening as separate measurements.](https://gardenuplift.com/assets/images/shed-measurements.svg) Original schematic, not to scale. These measurements answer different questions. ## Read the dimensions separately Before comparing models, request the usable internal dimensions, external footprint, roof overhang and clear door opening. Keep those measurements separate in your notes. The base dimensions should come from the chosen building’s instructions. __Exact unit conversions, rounded to two decimal places__ | Nominal feet | Equivalent metres | | ------------ | ----------------- | | 6 × 4 ft | 1.83 × 1.22 m | | 8 × 6 ft | 2.44 × 1.83 m | | 10 × 8 ft | 3.05 × 2.44 m | A nominal 8×6 shed is not 8×6 inside. Use this table to understand the label, then check the product’s internal measurements. ## Mark the proposed building outside Mark out the footprint and the chosen working gaps. Check whether doors can open and whether you can reach the surfaces you will need to maintain. Look above the rectangle for overhangs and obstacles, and check the route from the delivery point. ## A published example of the difference The Keter Darwin 6x4 brown specification lists internal width and depth of 112 × 176.5cm, compared with maximum external dimensions of 125.8 × 184.5cm. That is why we draw the storage layout using the interior, not the name on the box. Keter also distinguishes maximum external dimensions from the floor footprint. [See the exact variant](https://www.keter.com/en-gb/sheds/small-sheds/darwin-shed-6x4ft-brown-261851.html?ref=gardenuplift.com); [read Keter’s measurement definitions](https://www.keter.com/en-gb/faq.html?ref=gardenuplift.com). ### Your next step Use the fit and access checker with the actual product dimensions and your own site measurements. [Check fit and access](https://gardenuplift.com/tools/shed-fit-access-checker/) ## Sources and method - [Keter UK questions and care guidance](https://www.keter.com/en-gb/faq.html?ref=gardenuplift.com) · checked 2026-09-19 - [Keter Darwin 6x4 brown, item 261851](https://www.keter.com/en-gb/sheds/small-sheds/darwin-shed-6x4ft-brown-261851.html?ref=gardenuplift.com) · checked 2026-09-19