If you’re wondering how many square feet are in a double garage, the answer depends on its dimensions. A double garage, also called a two-car garage, is commonly designed to accommodate two vehicles side by side.
A frequently used size is 20 feet × 20 feet, which provides:
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4 rows by 6 columns = 24 square units.
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20 × 20 = 400 square feet
However, double garages come in many sizes. A smaller 18 × 20-foot garage has 360 square feet, while a more spacious 24 × 24-foot garage provides 576 square feet.
For practical planning, a typical double garage may range from approximately 360 to 600 square feet, depending on vehicle sizes, storage requirements, workshop space, and local building practices.
Quick Answer: How Many Square Feet Is a Double Garage?
A standard double garage often falls within the following range:
360–600 square feet
Some common dimensions include:
| Garage Dimensions | Square Feet |
|---|---|
| 18 × 20 ft | 360 sq ft |
| 20 × 20 ft | 400 sq ft |
| 20 × 22 ft | 440 sq ft |
| 20 × 24 ft | 480 sq ft |
| 22 × 22 ft | 484 sq ft |
| 24 × 24 ft | 576 sq ft |
| 24 × 26 ft | 624 sq ft |
A 20 × 20-foot double garage, at 400 square feet, is a useful benchmark for a basic two-car garage.
What Is a Double Garage?
A double garage is a garage designed to accommodate two vehicles.
It can have:
- One wide garage door
- Two individual garage doors
- Two parking spaces
- Storage areas
- Workbench space
- Shelving
- Additional equipment
The phrase “double garage” generally refers to capacity rather than one specific set of dimensions.
A double garage can therefore be 18 × 20 feet, 20 × 20 feet, 24 × 24 feet, or another size.
What Is the Standard Size of a Double Garage?
There isn’t one universal standard size.
However, 20 × 20 feet is a commonly used starting point for a basic two-car garage.
That gives:
400 square feet
A larger design, such as 24 × 24 feet, provides:
576 square feet
The extra space can make a significant difference if you want to store tools, bicycles, lawn equipment, shelving, or other belongings.
How Big Is a 20 × 20 Double Garage?
A 20 × 20-foot garage has:
20 feet × 20 feet = 400 square feet
This is enough floor area for two vehicles in many layouts, but the actual usable space depends on:
- Vehicle dimensions
- Door placement
- Wall thickness
- Storage
- Interior obstacles
- Garage door configuration
A 20 × 20 garage may feel comfortable for parking two smaller vehicles but can become crowded with two large SUVs or pickup trucks plus substantial storage.
How Many Square Feet Is an 18 × 20 Garage?
An 18 × 20-foot garage provides:
18 × 20 = 360 square feet
18 × 20 garage = 360 square feet
This is toward the smaller end for a double garage.
It may work well when:
- Vehicles are relatively compact
- Storage requirements are limited
- Property space is restricted
- The garage is primarily for parking
However, opening vehicle doors and walking around both cars can be more challenging in a narrower garage.
How Many Square Feet Is a 20 × 22 Garage?
A 20 × 22-foot garage provides:
20 × 22 = 440 square feet
20 × 22 garage = 440 square feet
The additional 40 square feet compared with a 20 × 20 garage can provide extra room for:
- Shelving
- Storage cabinets
- Bicycles
- Tools
- Workbench space
Even a small increase in garage depth can improve usability.
How Many Square Feet Is a 20 × 24 Garage?
A 20 × 24-foot garage provides:
20 × 24 = 480 square feet
20 × 24 garage = 480 square feet
This is a popular type of larger two-car garage because the additional depth provides more room behind parked vehicles.
That space can be useful for:
- Lawn equipment
- Storage shelves
- Freezers
- Workbenches
- Bicycles
- Sports equipment
How Many Square Feet Is a 24 × 24 Garage?
A 24 × 24-foot garage provides:
24 × 24 = 576 square feet
24 × 24 garage = 576 square feet
This is considerably more spacious than a 20 × 20 garage.
The additional 176 square feet can make it easier to combine vehicle parking with storage or workshop space.
How Many Square Feet Do Two Cars Need?
The amount of space needed depends on the vehicles.
A typical passenger car may be around:
- 14–16 feet long
- 5.5–6.5 feet wide
Larger SUVs and pickup trucks can be:
- 17–21+ feet long
- 6–7+ feet wide
Two vehicles therefore require considerable width, especially when you account for space to open doors and walk between the vehicles and walls.
This is why a garage that’s technically large enough for two cars may still feel cramped.
Is a 20 × 20 Garage Big Enough for Two Cars?
A 20 × 20-foot garage provides 400 square feet and can accommodate two vehicles.
However, whether it feels comfortable depends on vehicle size and storage requirements.
For two compact or midsize vehicles, 20 × 20 can be practical.
For two large trucks or SUVs, a wider or deeper garage may be more comfortable.
If you want substantial storage space as well, consider a larger footprint.
Is a 24 × 24 Garage Big Enough for Two Cars?
Yes. A 24 × 24-foot garage provides 576 square feet and offers substantially more room.
The additional space can make it easier to:
- Park two vehicles
- Open doors
- Walk around vehicles
- Store equipment
- Add shelving
- Install a workbench
- Create a small workshop area
For homeowners who use their garage for more than parking, 24 × 24 feet can be a more flexible layout.
Double Garage Size Comparison
| Garage Size | Square Feet | General Use |
|---|---|---|
| 18 × 20 | 360 | Compact two-car garage |
| 20 × 20 | 400 | Basic two-car garage |
| 20 × 22 | 440 | Two cars + some storage |
| 20 × 24 | 480 | Two cars + better storage |
| 22 × 24 | 528 | Spacious two-car garage |
| 24 × 24 | 576 | Two cars + substantial storage |
| 24 × 26 | 624 | Large two-car garage/workshop |
These are floor-area calculations; local building requirements and actual interior dimensions can differ.
Double Garage Dimensions: Width vs. Depth
When planning a double garage, both dimensions matter.
Garage Width
Width determines:
- How easily two vehicles fit side by side
- Door-opening space
- Walking clearance
- Storage along side walls
Garage Depth
Depth determines:
- Whether long vehicles fit comfortably
- Space behind vehicles
- Storage opportunities
- Workbench placement
A garage with more depth can be useful if you want storage behind your vehicles.
A wider garage can be better if you need comfortable door clearance and side-wall storage.
How Much Space Should Be Left Around Each Vehicle?
The exact clearance depends on the vehicle and your preferences.
You need enough space for:
- Opening doors
- Walking around the vehicle
- Loading and unloading
- Accessing storage
- Getting into the vehicle safely
Simply fitting two vehicle rectangles inside a garage isn’t enough.
For example, two 6-foot-wide vehicles would occupy about 12 feet of width, but a practical garage needs additional clearance between the vehicles and walls.
This is why a garage designed exactly around vehicle dimensions can feel uncomfortable.
Does a Double Garage Include Storage Space?
Not necessarily.
When someone says a garage is 400 square feet, that usually describes the overall floor area.
The usable parking area is reduced by:
- Shelving
- Cabinets
- Workbenches
- Refrigerators
- Freezers
- Lawn equipment
- Bikes
- Tools
- Storage bins
For example, a 400-square-foot garage may technically be large enough for two cars, but adding extensive storage can make the parking area feel much smaller.
How Much Storage Can Fit in a Double Garage?
A larger garage gives you much more flexibility.
A 20 × 20 garage can potentially accommodate two cars with limited storage.
A 20 × 24 garage gives additional depth for storage.
A 24 × 24 garage can provide room for:
- Two vehicles
- Wall-mounted shelving
- Cabinets
- Workbench
- Bicycles
- Yard tools
The best size depends on whether parking or storage is your primary goal.
Double Garage With a Workshop
If you want to use part of the garage as a workshop, consider increasing the size.
A 20 × 20 garage may work for parking but can become crowded once you add:
- Workbench
- Tool chest
- Saw
- Compressor
- Shelving
- Material storage
A 24 × 24-foot garage offers 576 square feet, giving you substantially more flexibility.
If workshop use is a major priority, an even deeper garage may be worthwhile.
Double Garage With an SUV or Truck
Large vehicles require additional space.
A full-size pickup truck can be significantly longer and wider than a compact car.
Before choosing garage dimensions, measure:
- Vehicle length
- Vehicle width
- Side mirrors
- Door clearance
- Tailgate clearance
Then allow additional space around the vehicle.
If both vehicles are large SUVs or trucks, a 22–24-foot-wide garage may be more comfortable than a narrow two-car design.
How Many Square Feet Is a Double Garage With Two Doors?
The number of garage doors doesn’t determine square footage.
For example, both of these could have the same floor area:
- 20 × 20 garage with one double-width door
- 20 × 20 garage with two single doors
Both contain:
400 square feet
The difference is the door configuration rather than the floor area.
Single Garage vs. Double Garage
| Feature | Single Garage | Double Garage |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicles | 1 | 2 |
| Typical width | ~10–14 ft | ~18–24 ft |
| Common floor area | ~200–300 sq ft | ~360–600+ sq ft |
| Storage potential | Limited | Greater |
| Workshop potential | Limited | Better |
| Construction cost | Lower | Higher |
These are general ranges, not universal standards.
How to Calculate Double Garage Square Footage
If the garage is rectangular, calculating its area is simple.
A=lw
A=6×4=24
4 rows by 6 columns = 24 square units.
w
w
l
l24 square unitsw = 6l = 4
Give feedback
For example:
20 feet × 22 feet = 440 square feet
Another example:
24 feet × 24 feet = 576 square feet
The formula is:
Square footage = Length × Width
If the garage has an irregular shape, divide it into smaller rectangles, calculate each area separately, and add them together.
Does Garage Square Footage Include the Walls?
It depends on how the measurement is being reported.
A builder, architect, appraiser, or real estate professional may use a particular measurement standard.
For planning purposes, it’s useful to distinguish between:
- Exterior dimensions
- Interior dimensions
- Finished floor area
- Total building footprint
For example, a garage advertised as 20 × 20 feet may have somewhat less than 400 square feet of usable interior floor area after accounting for wall thickness and other structures.
Garage Door Size and Double Garage Space
Garage doors also affect the layout.
Common configurations include:
One Double Door
A wide door allows both vehicles to enter through one opening.
Two Single Doors
Each vehicle has its own garage door.
Two separate doors can provide some flexibility, while a single wide door creates a broad opening.
The best choice depends on:
- Garage width
- Vehicle size
- Exterior design
- Structural requirements
- Personal preference
Is 400 Square Feet a Large Garage?
A 400-square-foot garage is a practical size for a basic two-car garage.
For example:
20 × 20 = 400 square feet
It provides enough overall floor area for two vehicles, but available storage and walking space depend heavily on vehicle dimensions.
If you want a workshop, extensive storage, or room for large vehicles, you may want more than 400 square feet.
Is 500 Square Feet Enough for a Double Garage?
Yes. A garage around 500 square feet can provide comfortable space for two vehicles in many layouts.
For example:
20 × 25 = 500 square feet
or:
22 × 23 ≈ 506 square feet
This additional space can be used for:
- Storage
- Workbench
- Bikes
- Tools
- Lawn equipment
Is 600 Square Feet a Large Double Garage?
A 600-square-foot garage is relatively spacious for a two-car garage.
For example:
24 × 25 = 600 square feet
This can provide plenty of room for two vehicles plus storage or a workshop, depending on the layout.
However, the ideal dimensions may be more important than the total square footage.
A long, narrow 600-square-foot garage can function differently from a square 600-square-foot garage.
Common Mistakes When Planning a Double Garage
Mistake 1: Measuring Only the Cars
The garage needs clearance around the vehicles.
Mistake 2: Forgetting Storage
Shelving and cabinets can quickly consume floor space.
Mistake 3: Ignoring Door Clearance
You need room to open vehicle doors comfortably.
Mistake 4: Focusing Only on Square Footage
Two garages with identical square footage can have very different layouts.
Mistake 5: Forgetting Future Needs
Consider whether you’ll eventually own larger vehicles, add storage, or create a workshop.
What Is the Best Double Garage Size?
There isn’t one best size for every homeowner.
For basic parking
20 × 20 feet (400 sq ft) can be a reasonable starting point.
For parking plus storage
20 × 22 or 20 × 24 feet (440–480 sq ft) offers more flexibility.
For larger vehicles and storage
22 × 24 or 24 × 24 feet (528–576 sq ft) can provide substantially more room.
For a workshop
Consider 24 × 24 feet or larger, depending on your equipment and storage requirements.
Always check local building codes and planning requirements before constructing or enlarging a garage.
FAQs
1. How many square feet is a double garage?
A typical double garage may range from approximately 360 to 600 square feet. A common 20 × 20-foot garage has 400 square feet.
2. Is a 20 × 20 garage big enough for two cars?
Yes, a 20 × 20 garage provides 400 square feet and can accommodate two vehicles. However, large trucks or SUVs may make the space feel tight.
3. How many square feet is a 24 × 24 garage?
A 24 × 24-foot garage contains 576 square feet.
4. How many square feet is a 20 × 24 garage?
A 20 × 24-foot garage contains 480 square feet.
5. What is a good size for a two-car garage?
A 20 × 20-foot garage can work for basic parking, while 22 × 24 or 24 × 24 feet provides more comfortable space for vehicles, storage, and other uses.
6. Can a double garage fit two SUVs?
It can, but the garage should be wide and deep enough to provide adequate clearance around both vehicles. A larger garage is preferable for two full-size SUVs.
7. Does a double garage have exactly 400 square feet?
No. A double garage doesn’t have one fixed size. A 20 × 20-foot garage has 400 square feet, but double garages can be smaller or larger.
Conclusion
So, how many square feet are in a double garage?
There is no single standard size, but a typical two-car garage often falls somewhere around 360–600 square feet.
A useful benchmark is:
20 × 20 feet = 400 square feet
Other common examples include:
- 18 × 20 = 360 sq ft
- 20 × 22 = 440 sq ft
- 20 × 24 = 480 sq ft
- 22 × 24 = 528 sq ft
- 24 × 24 = 576 sq ft
- 24 × 26 = 624 sq ft
If you’re planning a new garage, don’t focus only on the total square footage. Consider the width, depth, vehicle sizes, door clearance, storage, and intended use. A 400-square-foot garage may be adequate for two compact cars, while a household with two large trucks, extensive storage, or a workshop may benefit from 500–600+ square feet.
For most homeowners, 20 × 20 feet is a reasonable basic two-car garage size, while 24 × 24 feet offers considerably more flexibility.
