Layout · One-car, 12 x 20
Auto and mechanic layout for a 12x20 one-car garage
A auto and mechanic in a 12 x 20 ft garage with 1 sedan parked inside: 0 of 4 machines fit, and Tool chest, 4 ft bench, Compressor, and Shelving do not. 0 circuits on 120V, subpanel around 30 A, and 141 of 240 sq ft is aisle, operator zone and open floor rather than machine.
machinebenchoperator zonevehicle
What fits in a 12x20 one-car garage for auto and mechanic
| # | Machine | Footprint | Size source |
|---|
Left out: Roller tool cabinet (no floor left once its operator zone is counted); 4 ft workbench (no floor left once its operator zone is counted); 20 gallon compressor (no floor left once its operator zone is counted); Steel shelving unit (no floor left once its operator zone is counted).
Where the floor goes
| Item | Sq ft | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Garage floor | 240 | 100% |
| Vehicles parked inside | 99 | 41% |
| Machine and bench footprints | 0 | 0% |
| Aisles, zones and the door apron | 141 | 59% |
To bring back what was left out: the tool chest first fits in the 12x22 one-car layout, the 4 ft bench does not fit any garage size in our set with the rest of this package, the compressor first fits in the 20x20 two-car layout, and the shelving first fits in the 20x20 two-car layout. Footprints are the machine's own size; the zones and aisles are why a garage "feels" smaller than the sum of its machines.
Auto and mechanic notes for this bay
Jack stands, a creeper and a tool chest all need the floor around the car, so this plan keeps 36 in clear all round instead of the usual 30. Never work under a car held only by a jack.
Circuits for this layout
| Circuit | Volts | Breaker | Wire | Receptacle |
|---|
That is 0 circuits, about 0 A of demand after diversity, and a subpanel in the 30 A range to ask your electrician about. Sizes use NEC Table 430.248 for motor amps and Table 310.16 (60 C column) for wire; have a licensed electrician confirm. The workshop amps calculator lets you change the loads.
Rest of the shop: the small gear
Storage, bases and safety items for this layout.
Prices change often; the button shows today's price on Amazon.
Email me the buy list for this layout
Every machine, bench and base in this plan as one list you can keep, with the circuits it needs. Plus a few short emails, then a couple a month at most.
Unsubscribe anytime. You can also just read the checklist on this site.Size the systems for this garage
- Heater size for a 12x20 one-car garage
- Dust collector size for a 12x20 one-car garage
- Shop lighting for a 12x20 one-car garage
- Air filtration for a 12x20 one-car garage
- Mini-split size for a 12x20 one-car garage
- Subpanel for a auto and mechanic
- 240V in a garage, explained
Fit sheets for the machines in this plan
Other trades and garage sizes
- Woodshop in a 12x20 one-car
- Machine shop in a 12x20 one-car
- Welding and fab in a 12x20 one-car
- Mixed shop with a car parked in a 12x20 one-car
- Auto and mechanic in a 12x22 one-car
- Auto and mechanic in a 20x20 two-car
- Auto and mechanic in a 22x22 two-car
- Auto and mechanic in a 24x24 two-car
- Auto and mechanic in a 32x24 three-car
Frequently asked questions
What circuits does a auto and mechanic need in a 12x20 one-car garage?
The machines in this plan need 0 circuits: 0 at 240V and 0 at 120V, which suggests a subpanel in the 30 A range. Have a licensed electrician confirm the service and the panel.
How much floor is left in a 12x20 one-car garage after a auto and mechanic?
About 141 of 240 sq ft, 59 percent, is aisle, operator zone and door apron once are placed.
This page is researched guidance, not professional electrical, engineering or safety advice. Circuits, loads and clearances depend on your house, your service and your town: have a licensed electrician confirm any wiring, and check local code and each manufacturer's manual before you act.
