16 Foot Gambrel Roof Truss Calculator
A 16 ft gambrel is the largest span you can frame with 2×6 SPF #2 at 16 in on center, the cut-off width before lumber jumps to 2×8. It is the standard size for single-car garages, larger sheds, and small workshops that want loft storage above the main floor.
Pre-Calculated Results for 16 ft Span
| Sweep Angle | Lower Rafter | Upper Rafter | Total Height | Roof Area (20 ft L) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 45° | 11.31 | 0.00 | 8.00 | 542 |
| 60° | 8.00 | 4.14 | 8.00 | 578 |
| 67.5° | 6.12 | 6.12 | 8.00 | 583 |
Loft Space at 16 ft
The loft floor across the knuckle is about 8 ft wide at a 60° lower sweep, with 8 ft of standing headroom directly under the ridge. That is enough for a workbench, a sleeping platform, or a generous storage mezzanine.
Door and Header Sizing
A 16 ft wall gives you room for a 9 ft × 7 ft overhead garage door with 3.5 ft of jamb on each side. The header above the door should be a doubled 2×10 with a continuous wind-load tie back to the gambrel knuckle if the building is in Wind Zone II or higher.
Typical Applications for a 16 ft Gambrel
A 16 ft wide gambrel is sized for garage, large shed, small workshop. With a 60° sweep angle the lower rafters land at 8.00 ft and upper rafters at 4.14 ft, both within the capacity of 2×6 SPF #2 for typical residential loads at 16 in on center rafter spacing.
Total roof height at the standard 60° sweep is 8.0 ft above the wall plate. Loft floor area inside the knuckle is approximately 8.0 ft wide and runs the full length of the building, usable for storage, a sleeping loft, or a workshop above the main floor.