Shed size · 50 sq ft
What fits in a 5x10 shed?
A 5x10 shed has 50 sq ft of floor. Drawn to scale with a clear aisle, it holds a push mower, a wheelbarrow, a shelving unit, and it can take a 42 in lawn tractor if the door is at least 5 ft wide. Kits this size cost about $909 in resin or $262 in steel at median prices.
A 5x10 is a compact garden shed. At 50 sq ft it holds a mower and hand tools comfortably, but it fills quickly once bikes or a wheelbarrow go in. Below, two common loads are drawn to scale on a 5x10 floor, so you can see what actually fits once you leave yourself a way in.
What fits in a 5x10 shed, drawn to scale
How many of each item fit in a 5x10?
Each row is that item on its own, packed flat on the floor with a clear aisle kept from the door. Hanging bikes and stacking bins beat these numbers; parking a mower across the aisle does not count.
| Item | Fits |
|---|---|
| Riding mower / lawn tractor (42 in deck) | 1 |
| Zero-turn mower (48 to 54 in deck) | 1 |
| Push mower (handle folded) | 4 |
| Two-stage snow blower | 4 |
| Wheelbarrow | 4 |
| Adult bike (on the floor) | 2 |
| Trash or recycling can (96 gal) | 8 |
| Gas grill (off-season) | 4 |
| Shelving unit (18 x 48 in) | 6 |
| Workbench (2 x 6 ft) | 2 |
| Kayak (floor) | 2 |
Is a 5x10 shed big enough for a riding mower?
Yes. A 42 in lawn tractor (about 4.5 x 6 ft parked) fits in a 5x10 with room to walk past it. The real test is the door: you need at least 5 ft of clear opening, so check the kit's door spec before the footprint.
Not sure about your own mix of gear? The shed size calculator adds up every item's footprint, multiplies by 1.5 for aisles and reach, and names the smallest standard size that works.
What does a 5x10 shed cost?
No kit in our catalog is exactly 5x10, which is common for this size: manufacturers cluster around 6x8, 8x10 and 10x12. At the median price per square foot we measured for each material, 50 sq ft works out like this:
| Material | Low (10th pct) | Median | High (90th pct) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Resin (HDPE) | $600 | $909 | $1,497 |
| Vinyl (PVC) | $650 | $1,012 | $1,332 |
| Steel | $154 | $262 | $658 |
| Wood | $508 | $1,042 | $1,647 |
Kit prices only. Budget about $132 for a 4 in gravel pad, around 6 anchors, and fit-out on top. The shed cost calculator totals it for your material and foundation.
Kits closest to 5x10
Nearest real footprints in our catalog.
Prices change often; the button shows today's price on Amazon.
Closest kits to 5x10
| Kit | Footprint | Material | Floor | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duramax Storemax Plus 7 Ft. W X 7 Ft. D Vinyl Garden Storage Shed | 7 x 7 ft | Vinyl (PVC) | included | $992 |
| Yardenaler 7x7.35 FT Cedar Wood Outdoor Storage Shed | 7 x 7.35 ft | Wood | not stated | $1,100 |
| Lifetime 7' x 7' Outdoor Storage Shed | 7 x 7 ft | Resin (HDPE) | not stated | $1,178 |
| Rubbermaid Resin Outdoor Storage Shed With Floor | 7 x 7 ft | Resin (HDPE) | included | $1,195 |
| MUPATER 7.4x7 FT Cedar Wood Storage Shed | 7 x 7.4 ft | Wood | not stated | $1,200 |
| Keter Signature Collection 7x7 Ft All-Weather Storage Shed | 7 x 7 ft | Resin (HDPE) | not stated | $1,320 |
What foundation does a 5x10 shed need?
Most resin and steel kits want a flat, level, well-drained base a little larger than the shed. For a 5x10, that is a 7 x 12 ft gravel pad: about 1.6 tons of crushed stone at 4 in deep, or 2.4 tons at 6 in. A 4 in concrete slab takes 0.68 cubic yards (31 bags of 80 lb mix), and a paver base takes about 30 pavers at 16 in. Full quantities and costs are on the 5x10 shed foundation page.
Does a 5x10 shed need a permit?
At 50 sq ft a 5x10 is exempt by size under all three common thresholds. Height limits (often 10 to 12 ft at the peak), setbacks of 3 to 5 ft from property lines and HOA covenants apply at any size, and wiring always needs an electrical permit. Run your numbers through the permit size checker, then check your local code.
Sizes next to a 5x10
- 7x7 shed (49 sq ft, one step smaller)
- 6x10 shed (60 sq ft, one step larger)
- 4x10 shed (40 sq ft)
- 5x5 shed (25 sq ft)
- 5x6 shed (30 sq ft)
- 5x8 shed (40 sq ft)
- 6x10 shed (60 sq ft)
- 7x10 shed (70 sq ft)
Fit out a 5x10
Wall storage is how a small floor holds more than the table above says.
Prices change often; the button shows today's price on Amazon.
Frequently asked questions
How many square feet is a 5x10 shed?
A 5x10 shed is 50 square feet of nominal floor area. Usable floor is a little less, because kit dimensions are usually measured at the roof or outside the walls, and resin and steel walls take up floor on every side. Compare the interior dimensions in the kit's spec sheet before you commit, especially if a mower or workbench needs every inch.
Can a riding mower fit in a 5x10 shed?
Yes. A 42 in lawn tractor (about 4.5 x 6 ft parked) fits in a 5x10 with room to walk past it. The real test is the door: you need at least 5 ft of clear opening, so check the kit's door spec before the footprint.
Do I need a permit for a 5x10 shed?
At 50 sq ft a 5x10 is exempt by size under all three common thresholds. The International Residential Code exempts one-story storage sheds up to 200 sq ft, but many towns lower that to 120 or 100 sq ft, and setbacks, easements, HOA rules and any electrical work apply at every size. Check your local code before you order the kit.
How much gravel do I need for a 5x10 shed?
With a 1 ft border on every side, a 5x10 shed sits on a 7 x 12 ft pad. At 4 in deep that is 1.14 cubic yards, about 1.6 tons of crushed stone including 10 percent for compaction. At 6 in, for soft or wet ground, order 2.4 tons. Lay weed fabric first and frame the pad with treated timber.
How much does a 5x10 shed cost?
No kit in our catalog is exactly 5x10. At the median kit prices we measured, 50 sq ft costs about $262 in steel, $909 in resin and $1,042 as a wood kit, before a foundation of about $132 in gravel.
This page is researched guidance, not professional engineering, legal or building-code advice. Sizes, loads and permit rules vary by product and by town: check your local code and the kit manufacturer's instructions before you build.