Pergola Sizes: Footprints, Heights and Lumber Dimensions
The footprints pergolas are sold and built in, how tall they should be, the post, beam and rafter sizes behind them, and how to size one over a patio table, sofa set or hot tub.
Common pergola sizes run from 10 × 10 ft (3.05 × 3.05 m) to 16 × 20 ft (4.88 × 6.10 m), with 12 × 12 ft (3.66 × 3.66 m, 144 sq ft) a common freestanding size. Most give about 8 ft (2.4 m) of clearance under the beams, and wood pergolas are typically built on 6 × 6 posts (5 1/2 in square).
- Popular size
- 12 × 12 ft
- Clearance
- 8 ft (2.4 m)
- Posts (wood)
- 6 × 6 nominal
- Rafter overhang
- 12 to 24 in
On this page
Standard pergola sizes
Kits come in a fixed set of footprints; custom pergolas can be any size, but sticking to 2 ft steps uses standard lumber lengths with little waste.
| Size (ft) | Size (m) | Area | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 × 8 | 2.44 × 2.44 | 64 sq ft (5.9 m²) | Bench or swing, garden entry, two chairs |
| 10 × 10 | 3.05 × 3.05 | 100 sq ft (9.3 m²) | Bistro set, small hot tub |
| 10 × 12 | 3.05 × 3.66 | 120 sq ft (11.1 m²) | Table for four, loveseat set |
| 12 × 12 | 3.66 × 3.66 | 144 sq ft (13.4 m²) | Table for four to six, hot tub with steps |
| 12 × 16 | 3.66 × 4.88 | 192 sq ft (17.8 m²) | Dining for six or a sectional sofa |
| 14 × 14 | 4.27 × 4.27 | 196 sq ft (18.2 m²) | Dining plus lounge chairs |
| 16 × 16 | 4.88 × 4.88 | 256 sq ft (23.8 m²) | Dining and lounge zones |
| 12 × 20 | 3.66 × 6.10 | 240 sq ft (22.3 m²) | Long patios, outdoor kitchen plus dining |
| 16 × 20 | 4.88 × 6.10 | 320 sq ft (29.7 m²) | Large patios, several zones |
Pergola sizes are quoted three ways: post-to-post (outside of posts), beam length (including overhangs) or roof grid. A wood kit sold as 12 × 12 ft may have its posts 12 ft apart and rafters reaching 14 ft or more, or it may be 12 ft overall with posts set well inside. Check which figure the size refers to before you pour footings.
Pergola height and headroom
The measurement that matters is the clearance under the lowest member, usually the beams.
| Measurement | Typical | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Clearance under beams | 8 ft (2.44 m) | 7 ft (2.13 m) minimum for comfortable walking |
| Post height above ground | 8 to 9 ft | Posts often run to the top of the beams, which sit beside or on them |
| Overall height | About 8 1/2 to 10 ft | Beam plus rafter plus top slats adds about 1 to 2 ft above clearance |
| Large footprints (16 ft and up) | 9 to 10 ft clearance | Keeps the proportions from looking squat |
Wide pergolas look squat at low heights, so keep at least 8 ft of clearance on anything over 12 ft across. Attached pergolas are limited by the house: the ledger has to sit below the eaves and above any door or window heads, which in single-story homes often leaves only 7 1/2 to 8 1/2 ft.
Post, beam and rafter sizes
A wood pergola is a simple frame: posts carry beams, beams carry rafters, and optional top slats (purlins) sit on the rafters. These are the member sizes common on residential pergolas; the actual dimensions are smaller than the nominal names.
| Member | Common nominal size | Actual size (in) | Actual size (mm) | Typical spacing or span |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Posts (small, light kits) | 4 × 4 | 3 1/2 × 3 1/2 | 89 × 89 | Pergolas up to about 8 × 8 ft, low height |
| Posts (standard) | 6 × 6 | 5 1/2 × 5 1/2 | 140 × 140 | Posts 8 to 12 ft apart |
| Posts (large or heavy) | 8 × 8 | 7 1/4 × 7 1/4 | 184 × 184 | Wide spans, tall or decorative builds |
| Beams | Doubled 2 × 8 to 2 × 12 | 1 1/2 × 7 1/4 to 1 1/2 × 11 1/4 each | 38 × 184 to 38 × 286 each | Span from post to post |
| Rafters | 2 × 6 to 2 × 8 | 1 1/2 × 5 1/2 to 1 1/2 × 7 1/4 | 38 × 140 to 38 × 184 | 12 to 24 in on center, often 16 in |
| Top slats (purlins) | 2 × 2 or 2 × 3 | 1 1/2 × 1 1/2 or 1 1/2 × 2 1/2 | 38 × 38 or 38 × 64 | 3 to 12 in apart, depending on shade wanted |
Rafter and beam tails usually extend 12 to 24 in beyond their supports. The overhang makes the shade footprint larger than the post footprint and is where the decorative end cuts go. Spans above about 12 ft between posts, heavy snow areas, and pergolas carrying swings or solid roof panels need their sizes checked against span tables or by an engineer. More on nominal sizes: lumber sizes chart.
A 4 × 4 post has 12.25 sq in of cross-section, against 30.25 sq in for a 6 × 6, and it bends and twists noticeably at 8 ft or more. It also leaves little wood for notching beams in. Use 6 × 6 posts for any freestanding pergola you plan to walk under.
How much shade a pergola gives
An open pergola gives partial shade, and the amount depends on the depth of the rafters and slats, their spacing and their direction relative to the sun.
- Direction: members block the most sun when they run across its path. In the northern hemisphere, rafters or slats running east to west cut more midday sun (which comes from the south); members running north to south cut more early-morning and late-afternoon sun.
- Depth and spacing: 2 × 8 rafters at 16 in on center with 2 × 2 slats at 6 in apart give noticeably more shade than 2 × 6 rafters at 24 in with no slats. Closer spacing also adds weight.
- Full cover: shade cloth, retractable canopies, polycarbonate panels or adjustable aluminum louvers turn a pergola into full shelter. A solid cover adds snow and wind load, so the frame must be rated for it.
What size pergola for your patio
Lay out the furniture first, then put the posts outside the zone where people walk and sit. Dining chairs need about 36 in (91 cm) behind the table edge.
| Use | Clear area needed between posts | Pergola size |
|---|---|---|
| Two chairs or a porch swing | About 6 × 7 ft | 8 × 8 ft |
| Dining for four (48 in round table) | 10 × 10 ft | 12 × 12 ft |
| Dining for six (36 × 72 in table) | 9 × 12 ft | 12 × 14 or 12 × 16 ft |
| Sectional sofa and coffee table | About 10 × 12 ft | 12 × 14 or 12 × 16 ft |
| Hot tub (7 × 7 to 8 × 8 ft) | Tub plus 18 to 24 in each side | 10 × 10 to 12 × 12 ft |
| Dining plus lounge | About 12 × 18 ft | 16 × 20 ft |
Because the rafters overhang, a pergola shades more area than its post footprint. A 12 × 12 ft pergola with 18 in overhangs has a 15 × 15 ft top. For furniture sizes, see our patio furniture guide, and hot tub dimensions for tub footprints.
Pergola, gazebo or umbrella?
| Option | Typical size | Covered area | Shade and shelter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Market umbrella | 9 ft round | About 64 sq ft (5.9 m²) | Full shade, no rain protection to speak of |
| Pergola | 12 × 12 ft | 144 sq ft (13.4 m²), more with overhangs | Partial shade unless covered |
| Gazebo | 10 × 12 ft | 120 sq ft (11.1 m²) at the roof | Full shade and rain cover |
A pergola covers more ground for the cost but lets rain through; a gazebo keeps you dry but its posts and roof edge enclose a smaller area. Size guides: gazebo sizes and patio umbrella sizes.
Footings, decks and attachment
- On the ground: set posts on concrete piers with metal post bases, with the footing bottom below your local frost depth. Posts buried directly in soil rot faster even when pressure-treated for ground contact.
- On a patio slab: a typical 4 in slab is not a footing. Use the kit's anchors only if the maker allows slab mounting, or cut the slab and pour proper footings.
- On a deck: bolt posts to doubled joists or added blocking and through the rim, never to deck boards alone. A pergola on a deck should sit at least 2 ft in from the edges; see deck sizes for layout.
- Attached to the house: a ledger needs flashing and through-bolts or structural screws into the rim joist or studs, the same as a deck ledger.
Frequently asked questions
How tall should a pergola be?
Aim for 8 ft (2.4 m) from the ground to the underside of the beams. 7 ft (2.1 m) is the practical minimum for walking under; 9 to 10 ft suits large footprints, ceiling fans or hanging lights. An attached pergola must also fit below the house eaves or gutters.
How far apart can pergola posts be?
With doubled 2 × 10 or 2 × 12 beams, posts are commonly 8 to 12 ft apart. Longer spans need deeper beams, engineered lumber or steel. Aluminum and steel kits publish their own maximum span for each model.
What size pergola goes over a hot tub?
Most hot tubs are 7 × 7 to 8 × 8 ft, so a 10 × 10 ft pergola is the minimum and 12 × 12 ft leaves room for steps and a cover lifter. Check that the cover can swing up without hitting the rafters, which usually needs 8 ft or more of clearance.
What are common pergola sizes in meters?
Metric kits are typically 3 × 3 m (9 ft 10 in square), 3 × 4 m (9 ft 10 in × 13 ft 1 in) and 4 × 4 m (13 ft 1 in square). A 3 × 4 m pergola covers 12 m², or about 129 sq ft.
Do I need a permit for a pergola?
It depends on the town. The model IRC exempts detached accessory structures up to 200 sq ft, but many jurisdictions set the limit at 100 or 120 sq ft, regulate attached pergolas like additions, and add height and setback rules. A 12 × 16 ft pergola (192 sq ft) often needs a permit.