The most popular metal building sizes are 30x40 (1,200 sq ft), 40x60 (2,400 sq ft) and 50x100 (5,000 sq ft). 40x60 fits the most industries: hangars, commercial buildings, churches, barns and homes. Larger uses such as manufacturing, sports complexes and riding arenas typically start at 100x100 (10,000 sq ft). Choose by use and footprint shape first, then square footage; Coastal Steel Structures can engineer any size to your site.
The three most popular sizes
- 30x401,200 sq ftFits 4 of 7 industries
- 40x602,400 sq ftFits 5 of 7 industries
- 50x1005,000 sq ftFits 4 of 7 industries
Metal building systems are the fastest growing segment of the low-rise construction sector, and their popularity is evident across America. Car dealerships, retail stores, offices, schools and more are taking advantage of their affordable, flexible features, and the design opportunities are virtually endless.
This guide covers the most popular metal building sizes for each major industry, why certain footprint shapes suit certain uses, and what to consider before you settle on dimensions. If you don't see your size, we can design a steel building to any size that meets your business needs and design criteria.
Framing and Roof Options
Framing types
- Clearspan: no framing between the exterior columns or primary supports, so the entire width of the building is open.
- Modular: interior columns are placed across the width. They're used when the width exceeds design tolerances or when load conditions are too high.
Roof styles
- Gable: symmetrical or unsymmetrical at the ridge
- Single slope: one slope running from a low eave to a high eave
- Lean-tos and hip roofs: both can be supported by a steel frame
This flexibility is a big reason steel buildings remain the number one choice in low-rise construction.
Metal Building Sizes by Industry at a Glance
Find your industry across the top, or your size down the side. A check means the size is a common fit for that use.
| Size (ft) | Sq ft | Hangars | Commercial & Retail | Churches | Auto Repair | Riding Arenas | Barns & Agriculture | Homes | Industrial & Manufacturing | Sports & Recreation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30x30 | 900 | No | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| 30x40 | 1,200 | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| 30x50 | 1,500 | No | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| 40x60 | 2,400 | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| 50x50 | 2,500 | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| 50x60 | 3,000 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No | No |
| 40x80 | 3,200 | Yes | No | No | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | No |
| 50x100 | 5,000 | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| 80x100 | 8,000 | No | No | No | Yes | No | No | No | No | No |
| 100x100 | 10,000 | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| 80x150 | 12,000 | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 60x200 | 12,000 | No | No | No | No | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| 80x200 | 16,000 | No | No | No | No | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| 100x200 | 20,000 | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| 100x300 | 30,000 | No | Yes | No | No | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| 150x250 | 37,500 | No | No | No | No | Yes | No | No | No | No |
Key takeaways
- 100x100 covers the widest range of uses (seven), because 10,000 sq ft of column-free space adapts to almost anything.
- 50x100 is the most versatile smaller size (six uses), followed by 30x40 and 40x60 (five each).
- 60x200 and up are mostly arenas, recreation and industrial work.
- Every size can be customized, and any dimension outside this list can be engineered to your requirements.
Pick Your Footprint Shape First
Square footage tells you how much space you get. The footprint's shape tells you how that space will work. Decide which of these four shapes fits your operation and your lot before you choose a size.
| Shape | Length-to-width | Standard sizes | Best for | Why it works |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Square | 1:1 | 30x30, 50x50, 100x100 | Equipment access, multipurpose space, squared-off lots | Large doors can go on all four sides, so equipment can move in and out from every angle |
| Standard rectangle | about 1.2:1 to 1.7:1 | 30x40, 30x50, 40x60, 50x60, 80x100 | Workshops, hangars, small businesses, offices, homes | A balanced, general-purpose footprint; 40x60 is one of the most popular sizes for both business and private use |
| Twice as long as wide | about 2:1 | 40x80, 50x100, 80x150, 100x200 | Storefronts, restaurants, clinics, multi-bay storage, narrow lots | Splits naturally into a customer-facing front and a working back, or into a row of separate bays |
| Extra long | 2.5:1 to 3.3:1 | 80x200, 100x300, 60x200 | Riding arenas, warehouses, sports complexes | Long uninterrupted runs for riding patterns, racking or playing fields |
Front of house, back of house
One area for customers, one for staff. A 40x80 fits a waiting area, reception, restrooms and lobby up front with work space behind. A 50x100 gives you the same layout with 56% more floor space (5,000 vs. 3,200 sq ft).
Bays on a narrow lot
Interior walls divide a long building such as an 80x150 into isolated bays for separate processes, departments, offices or storage. In crop storage, walls between bays also reduce the risk of fire spreading. One large divided building is usually more economical per square foot than several separate structures.
Sizes and Uses by Industry
Hangars
Short answer: The most popular metal hangar sizes are 30x40 (1,200 sq ft), 40x60 (2,400 sq ft) and 40x80 (3,200 sq ft). A 100x100 is generally not a popular or cost-effective hangar size.
Most popular hangar sizes
- 30x40 · 1,200 sq ft
- 40x60 · 2,400 sq ft
- 40x80 · 3,200 sq ft
Also common: 50x60 (3,000 sq ft).
Why steel works for hangars
- Designed around any aircraft door, for a single plane or several
- Room for maintenance areas, a workshop, a waiting lounge, office space, a training area and briefing rooms
- Strong enough to withstand heavy snowfall, high winds and earthquakes
- Noncombustible steel can't add fuel to a structure fire, and supports a wide range of fire suppression and ventilation systems
Commercial Buildings
Short answer: The most popular commercial metal building sizes are 30x50 (1,500 sq ft), 40x60 (2,400 sq ft) and 50x100 (5,000 sq ft). Steel shortens construction schedules and can be finished to look like any traditional storefront.
Most popular commercial sizes
- 30x50 · 1,500 sq ft
- 40x60 · 2,400 sq ft
- 50x100 · 5,000 sq ft
Why steel works
- Faster schedules: steel can be erected in less-than-ideal weather, while brick and block construction is more directly affected by weather
- Well-managed coordination between the design team, contractor and manufacturer shortens the schedule even further
- Speed helps keep the project within budget
By business type
- Retail stores: a 50x100 fits a finished sales floor in front and wide-open inventory storage in back. Brickwork, masonry, stucco and wood siding create an inviting exterior.
- Restaurants: the back of a 50x100 suits a customized kitchen, leaving the front for dining. Skylights add ambiance, and canopies create outdoor seating.
- Offices: a 50x60 (3,000 sq ft) offers clear span framing with maximum room for office space.
- Larger retail: an 80x150's long, narrow footprint suits display-heavy businesses (garden shops, furniture or appliance dealers) and can be divided into strip-mall or office units.
Churches
Short answer: The most popular metal church building sizes are 40x60 (2,400 sq ft), 50x100 (5,000 sq ft) and 80x150 (12,000 sq ft). A 5,000 sq ft clear span sanctuary can seat a congregation of up to about 300.
Most popular church sizes
- 40x60 · 2,400 sq ft
- 50x100 · 5,000 sq ft
- 80x150 · 12,000 sq ft
Larger congregations: 100x100 (10,000 sq ft) and 100x200 (20,000 sq ft).
Why steel works for churches
- Clear span interiors have no support columns or structural walls, leaving room for a growing congregation
- The facade can mirror your existing church with brickwork, masonry, stucco, wood siding and stained-glass windows
Auto Repair Shops
Short answer: The most popular metal auto repair shop sizes are 30x40 (1,200 sq ft), 50x100 (5,000 sq ft) and 80x100 (8,000 sq ft). A 40x80 fits several bays plus an office.
Most popular auto shop sizes
- 30x40 · 1,200 sq ft
- 50x100 · 5,000 sq ft
- 80x100 · 8,000 sq ft
A steel auto shop can
- Support pulleys, winches, cranes and heavy equipment
- Provide clearance for lifts and jacks
- Go up fast and expand easily, with limited interruption to the business
- Stay virtually maintenance-free
- Be fitted with solar panels, and it's recyclable
Riding Arenas
Short answer: The typical size for a competition riding arena is 100x200 (20,000 sq ft), a good fit for most disciplines. Coastal's standard indoor and covered arena model is 80x200 (16,000 sq ft).
Arena sizes by discipline
- Competition (most disciplines): 100x200 (20,000 sq ft)
- Rope arena: 100x300 (30,000 sq ft)
- Dressage: 60x200 (12,000 sq ft)
- Barrel racing: 150x250 (37,500 sq ft)
Sizing tips
- Size depends on your discipline, whether the arena is indoor or covered, and the total square footage you need
- Arena sizes vary widely from venue to venue; the most consistent advice is to build as big as you possibly can
- An indoor or covered steel arena makes year-round training possible
- On a squared-off lot, a 100x100 (10,000 sq ft) can make the most of the space
Metal Barns and Agricultural Buildings
Short answer: The most popular metal barn sizes are 30x40 (1,200 sq ft), 40x60 (2,400 sq ft) and 40x80 (3,200 sq ft). Larger farms use an 80x150 for bay-divided crop storage or a 100x100 for equipment.
Most popular barn sizes
- 30x40 · 1,200 sq ft
- 40x60 · 2,400 sq ft
- 40x80 · 3,200 sq ft
Choose a steel builder with deep agricultural experience. Coastal Steel Structures offers a wide range of custom metal barns, with free delivery to customers anywhere in the USA and Canada, and our in-house design team can tailor the layout to your operation.
By use
- Livestock: supports custom heating and cooling, runs, pens, stalls, bedding and corrals; one structure can handle housing, feeding and workspace.
- Hay and crop storage: keeps hay, grain and seed dry, and resists fire, mold, rot and insects. An 80x150 can have a high-pitched roof for tall bale stacks, large doors on every side, and walls that isolate storage bays against fire.
- Equipment repair: a 100x100's square shape allows large doors on all four sides, so machinery can move in and out from any angle.
Metal Building Homes
Short answer: The most popular metal building home sizes are 30x40 (1,200 sq ft), 40x60 (2,400 sq ft) and 50x100 (5,000 sq ft). An 80x150 can combine a workshop, garage and living quarters under one roof.
Most popular home sizes
- 30x40 · 1,200 sq ft
- 40x60 · 2,400 sq ft
- 50x100 · 5,000 sq ft
Bought the land but can't afford a house? A metal building home can bail you out.
Why steel works for homes
- Saves money and time, with a lower carbon footprint and no sacrifice in space
- Built to withstand harsh sun, high winds and snowfall, including tornadoes, hurricanes and earthquakes
- No center poles, so you have total freedom to lay out the floor plan
- Room to grow: an 80x150 is often divided into a workshop, garage and living quarters (for example, five bedrooms and three bathrooms with workshop space left over)
- Multi-family ready: the same footprint works for duplexes and group living, and lean-tos and porches add covered outdoor space
Healthcare Facilities
Short answer: A 50x100 (5,000 sq ft) is a practical starting size for a medical practice. Larger medical facilities build at 100x200 (20,000 sq ft).
Common sizes
- 50x100 · 5,000 sq ft
- 100x200 · 20,000 sq ft
Why it works
- Room for rows of clinical rooms, with space to expand the practice later
- Waiting room and reception up front, exam and treatment rooms behind
Manufacturing and Industrial Buildings
Short answer: Popular manufacturing and industrial sizes include 50x50 (2,500 sq ft), 100x100 (10,000 sq ft), 80x150 (12,000 sq ft), 100x200 (20,000 sq ft) and 100x300 (30,000 sq ft) for warehousing.
Common sizes
- 50x50 · 2,500 sq ft
- 100x100 · 10,000 sq ft
- 80x150 · 12,000 sq ft
- 100x200 · 20,000 sq ft
- 100x300 · 30,000 sq ft
Why steel works
- Fire-resistant, noncombustible structures suit a wide range of manufacturing uses
- Can be engineered for earthquakes, hurricane-force winds and heavy snow
- Long, narrow footprints divide easily into separate processes, departments, offices and storage
- Plants can add new wings or connect to existing buildings at lower cost than traditional construction
Sports, Recreation and Entertainment
Short answer: Gymnasiums, fitness centers, rec centers and indoor sports complexes commonly use 100x100 (10,000 sq ft), 100x200 (20,000 sq ft) or 100x300 (30,000 sq ft) buildings.
Common sizes
- 100x100 · 10,000 sq ft
- 100x200 · 20,000 sq ft
- 100x300 · 30,000 sq ft
Good to know
- Clear span framing leaves the full floor open for courts and fields
- A 100x100 is also common for breweries and casinos
- An 80x150 works well for recreational buildings
Workshops and Kennels
Short answer: Popular workshop sizes include 30x40 (1,200 sq ft), 50x50 (2,500 sq ft) and 40x80 (3,200 sq ft). A 40x80 also suits kennel buildings.
Common sizes
- 30x40 · 1,200 sq ft
- 50x50 · 2,500 sq ft
- 40x80 · 3,200 sq ft
Why steel works
- Workshops: organize, store and protect tools and machinery, with durability against fire, snow and hurricane-force winds
- Kennels: a flexible, economical choice for expanding a kennel, building a new one, or fitting an existing enclosure
Standard Size Cheat Sheet
| Size | Sq ft | Shape | Best for | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40x80 | 3,200 | 2:1 | Hangars, barns, hay storage, workshops, kennels, auto repair | Built for narrow lots; fits two or more distinct areas without needing a lot sized for a 5,000 to 10,000 sq ft building |
| 50x100 | 5,000 | 2:1 | Retail, restaurants, healthcare, churches, auto shops, storage, industrial, agricultural | 56% more space than a 40x80; ideal for a customer area plus a staff area |
| 100x100 | 10,000 | Square | Retail, industrial, agricultural, recreation | Large doors on all sides; can be engineered for heavy snow and hurricane-force winds. Not a cost-effective size for most hangars |
| 80x150 | 12,000 | About 2:1 | Agricultural storage, manufacturing, commercial and retail units, churches, large homes and multi-family | 12,000 sq ft of open space that divides easily into separate bays or units |
| 100x200 | 20,000 | 2:1 | Manufacturing, sports complexes, gymnasiums, medical facilities, riding arenas, houses of worship | 20,000 sq ft of column-free interior space |
How Size Affects Cost
Bigger is usually cheaper per sq ft
The cost per square foot of a steel structure generally drops as the building gets larger, so one large building is often more economical than several smaller ones.
Standard sizes cost less
Common sizes like those in this guide are more cost-effective than one-off dimensions that need full customization.
The structure is only part of the total
Doors, windows, foundation, insulation and construction all add to the final price.
Design criteria and codes matter
Pricing depends on availability, your design requirements and local building codes.
From Size to Finished Building
- Define what matters most. We list specifications around your operation: size, layout, and options such as energy-efficient insulation, noise-reducing wall panels or flexible wall configurations.
- Engineer the design. Your specifications go into our design program to produce a building engineered for your site. No two buildings are exactly alike.
- Manufacture the components. Structural members and components are fabricated to that design.
- Deliver and erect. Materials arrive on site for fast installation, with single-source responsibility from design through construction.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most popular metal building size?
40x60 (2,400 sq ft) is among the most popular because it fits the widest range of industries in this guide: hangars, commercial buildings, churches, barns and homes. 30x40 (1,200 sq ft) and 50x100 (5,000 sq ft) are close behind.
What size metal building do I need for an airplane hangar?
The most popular hangar sizes are 30x40, 40x60 and 40x80, with 50x60 also common. A 100x100 is generally not a cost-effective hangar size.
What size metal building is best for a church?
The most popular church sizes are 40x60, 50x100 and 80x150. A 50x100 (5,000 sq ft) can seat a congregation of up to about 300.
What size should a metal auto repair shop be?
The most popular auto repair shop sizes are 30x40, 50x100 and 80x100. A 40x80 fits several service bays plus an office.
How big is a typical riding arena?
A typical competition arena is 100x200 (20,000 sq ft). Dressage arenas are often 60x200, rope arenas 100x300 and barrel racing arenas 150x250. Coastal's standard indoor arena model is 80x200.
How much bigger is a 50x100 than a 40x80?
A 50x100 has 5,000 sq ft of floor space versus 3,200 sq ft for a 40x80, which is 56% more.
What is the difference between a clearspan and a modular metal building?
A clearspan building has no interior columns, so the full width is open. A modular building adds interior columns across the width when the span exceeds design tolerances or loads are too high.
Can a metal building be built to a custom size?
Yes. The sizes in this guide are common starting points, and any size can be designed to meet your business needs, design criteria and local codes.
Does a larger metal building cost less per square foot?
Generally, yes. The cost per square foot of the steel structure drops as building size increases, and standard sizes cost less than fully custom dimensions. Doors, windows, foundation, insulation and construction add to the total.
Talk to Our Team About Sizing
Not sure which size fits your operation? Our design team will help you match the footprint to your site, your use and your budget.
