Fit check
Key measurements
Plans all dimensions from the floor unless noted
Front elevation
Front elevation — side run
Floor plan
Sections & shelf heights
Rail & post detail
Cut list
Lumber list & cutting diagrams what to buy, and what gets cut from each board
Estimated cost approx. Home Depot retail — click a price to match your store
Hardware
Build steps
Plan DIY garage shelves that fit your wall
Garage Shelving Planner designs the classic 2x4 and plywood garage shelf — shelf frames of front and back rails with cross joists, posts outside the frames, and neighbouring sections sharing posts — sized to your wall. Mix open shelves, tote shelves (large and small totes side by side) and a workbench, in a straight run or an L-shaped corner. Each section gets its own width, depth, shelves and estimated load capacity, and the 3D model, exploded views, screw layout, plans, cut list and cost update instantly.
1. Measure your wall
Wall length, ceiling height and how deep you can go. Add a side wall for an L.
2. Lay out the sections
Add, move and duplicate sections: open shelves, totes or a workbench, each with its own size and load.
3. Check the estimates
The fit check estimates each shelf’s capacity, flags overloads and anything that won’t fit your space. Estimates only — build with care.
4. Build it
Download a PDF with dimensioned plans, shelf height marks, cut list, board layouts, cost and build steps.
Frequently asked questions
How deep should garage shelves be?
16 to 24 inches suits most garages; 24 inches is the most common because a 4x8 sheet rips into two shelves. For 27 gallon totes use about 30 to 31 inches.
How far can a 2x4 shelf span?
With 2x4 rails on edge front and back, about 48 inches between posts is comfortable for heavy loads. The planner calculates the sag for your span and load, and offers more bays or 2x6 rails when needed.
How far apart should the shelves be?
About 16 to 20 inches for boxes and paint, about 18 inches clear for 27 gallon totes with lids. Leave about 12 inches above the top shelf so you can load it.
Can I build L-shaped corner shelves?
Yes. Choose the L-shaped layout, set the back and side run lengths, and the side run butts into the front of the back run. The floor plan, cut list and materials cover both runs.
Is the Garage Shelving Planner free?
Yes. It runs in your browser with no sign-up, and you can download the plans as a PDF or save your settings to a file.