12x20 Carport Kits: Prices, Specs & What Fits
A 12x20 carport is the standard single-car size. It covers 240 square feet, parks one car, SUV or half-ton pickup with room to open doors on both sides, and 12 feet is the most common starting width on metal carport price sheets. This page covers what a 12x20 costs installed, what fits under it, and how it compares with the 12x21 you will see on price sheets.
| Frame Size | 12' W x 20' L |
|---|---|
| Roof Length | 21' (overhangs the frame) |
| Covered Area | 240 sq ft |
| Leg Height | 6' standard, up to 16' |
| Vehicles | 1 vehicle |
| What Fits | 1 car, SUV or half-ton pickup |
| Price | From $1,695 installed |
How Big Is A 12x20 Carport?
A 12x20 gives you 12 feet of clear span side to side and a 20-foot frame front to back. Most builders list it as a 12x21 because the roof runs one foot longer than the frame to shed water past the legs. The 12x20 and 12x21 you see on price sheets are usually the same building.
- Frame footprint: 12' x 20' (240 sq ft)
- Roof: 12' x 21' on regular and boxed-eave roofs
- Standard leg height: 6', with taller legs available in 1-foot steps up to about 16'
- Framing: 14-gauge steel tubing standard, 12-gauge as an upgrade
- Roof panels: 29-gauge standard
What Fits Under A 12x20 Carport?
Most cars and SUVs are 6 to 6.5 feet wide before mirrors. On a 12-foot-wide carport that leaves about 2.5 to 3 feet on each side, enough to open doors fully and walk around the vehicle. That door room is the main reason 12 feet is the standard single-car width.
| Vehicle | Fits In A 12x20? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sedan or small car | Yes | Plenty of room on all sides |
| Midsize or full-size SUV | Yes | About 2.5 ft of door room per side |
| Half-ton pickup, standard bed | Yes | Close to 7 ft wide, still fits |
| Crew-cab pickup, 6.5' bed | Tight on length | Just over 20 ft long; consider 12x25 or 12x26 |
| Small boat on a trailer | Usually | Check total trailer length, tongue included |
| Riding mower, ATV or motorcycle | Yes | Can share space with a small car |
How Much Does A 12x20 Metal Carport Cost?
In our September 2026 price check, installed 12x20 metal carports were advertised starting at $1,695 for a vertical-roof model with 6-foot legs, delivered and installed in the builder's service states. A fully enclosed 12x21 with a boxed-eave roof, side walls, end wall and 7-foot legs was listed at $4,085 installed. Published installed ranges for single-car carports run from about $2,000 to $7,200 depending on height, style and enclosure.
What moves the price:
- Roof style: Regular roofs cost the least, boxed-eave roofs cost a bit more, and vertical roofs cost the most but handle snow and heavy rain best.
- Leg height: Go taller for a lifted truck, a van, or anything with a roof rack. Each extra foot adds steel.
- Sides and ends: One side panel on the weather side is a low-cost upgrade. A full enclosure turns the carport into a one-car garage and raises the price the most.
- Certification: Engineered units rated for local wind and snow loads cost more and are what most building departments ask for.
- Your state and site: Delivery zone, site access and grade all change the final installed price.
12x20 Metal Carport Vs. A 12x20 Canopy Kit
Searches for "12x20 carport" include fabric canopy kits and DIY steel-tube shelters from big-box stores. They cost less up front and go up in an afternoon, but they are built as temporary shelters, and many carry no certified wind or snow rating. A welded or bolted metal carport installed by a builder is a permanent structure, anchored to your slab or ground and backed by frame and panel warranties. If you want something that lasts for years in real weather, compare installed metal quotes before you buy a canopy.
12x20 Carport With Sides
Adding sides is the most common upgrade on a single-car carport. Options run from a single side panel to a closed back gable to a full enclosure with a roll-up door. A fully enclosed 12x20 or 12x21 works as a compact one-car garage or storage building. If you might enclose it later, tell your builder when you order so the frame is braced for it.
Concrete Slab And Anchors
Pour the slab to the frame size, not the roof size. A 12x21 carport sits on a 12' x 20' pad because the extra foot of roof overhangs the frame. On concrete, builders use concrete anchors; on dirt or gravel, rebar or mobile home-style ground anchors; on a paved driveway, asphalt anchors.
Do You Need A Permit For A 12x20 Carport?
Often, yes. At 240 square feet, a 12x20 is larger than the 120- or 200-square-foot small-structure exemptions many local codes use, and some jurisdictions require a permit for any carport. Check with your local building department before you order.
Compare Other Carport Sizes
Parking two vehicles? The 20x20 carport is the standard two-car size. Working with a narrow driveway? See how the 10x20 carport compares. Browse single car carports or see every standard size in the carport sizes guide.
Get Free 12x20 Carport Quotes
Installed prices depend on your state, roof style, leg height and options. Tell us what you need and local metal carport builders will send free quotes for your site.
12x20 Carport FAQs
How Big Is A 12x20 Carport?
12 feet wide by 20 feet long, or 240 square feet. Most builders list it as a 12x21 because the roof overhangs the 20-foot frame by one foot.
What Is The Difference Between A 12x20 And A 12x21 Carport?
Usually nothing. A 12x21 is a 12x20 frame under a 21-foot roof. Builders list the roof length, while buyers usually search for the frame size.
How Much Does A 12x20 Metal Carport Cost?
In September 2026, installed 12x20 metal carports were advertised from $1,695 for a vertical-roof model with 6-foot legs. Enclosed models with side and end walls were listed around $4,085, and taller or certified builds cost more.
Will A Pickup Truck Fit In A 12x20 Carport?
A half-ton pickup with a standard bed fits. A crew-cab pickup with a 6.5-foot bed is just over 20 feet long, so choose a 12x25 or 12x26 if you want the whole truck under the roof.
What Size Slab Do I Need For A 12x20 Carport?
A 12' x 20' slab. The roof may be 21 feet long, but the frame, and the slab under it, is 20 feet.
Do I Need A Permit For A 12x20 Carport?
In many areas, yes. At 240 square feet it exceeds the small-structure exemptions most local codes allow. Check with your local building department first.