Awning Size Calculator
Size a wall-mounted awning for windows, doors, decks and patios: width, projection, pitch, retractable-vs-fixed, mounting clearance, fabric & frame takeoff, and cost — in 7 steps.
Frequently asked questions
What size awning do I need for a 72-inch window?
Add 8 in of overhang per side: 72 + 2 × 8 = 88 in, rounded up to a 90 in overall unit (7.5 ft). The fabric itself is 85 in wide (about 5 in narrower than the unit, for hardware and hems), and the nearest standard size is 96 in (8 ft).
How far should my awning project from the wall?
For a 12 ft deep patio with a 9 ft mount at 40° summer sun, the shade geometry needs 5 ft of projection, giving a 7.71 ft front-bar height and 14.18 ft of total shade reach. But the low evening sun kills that angled bonus — the rule of thumb says 14 ft (12 ft patio + 24 in), so most homeowners pick the nearest standard arm reach, 8 ft, to cover more of the day.
What pitch does an awning need so rain runs off?
Industry minimum is 14°; 15° or steeper is recommended, and many residential awnings adjust between 14° and 35°. At 15° on a 9 ft mount with 10 ft of projection, the fabric drops 2.59 ft to a 6.41 ft front bar and runoff is rated "good". Never leave an awning set below 14° open in rain or unattended.
Why does a 9 ft mount with 10 ft of projection fail head clearance?
Pitch eats height: 10 ft of projection at 15° drops 6.41 ft, putting the front bar at 6.41 ft — below the 7 ft minimum. The 9 ft mount itself passes (minimum 7.5 ft), but you must raise the mount, steepen the pitch, or shorten the projection until the front bar clears 7 ft.
Retractable or fixed awning — which should I choose?
A 16 × 12 ft awning is fine as a retractable: the cassette is 195 in wide overall, with 3 folding arms, about 160 lb, and 5 mounting brackets (on structural framing, never on siding alone). Go fixed when the projection exceeds ~12–13 ft — retractable arms max out there — or when rain/wind exposure is high.
How much fabric and frame hardware does a 16 × 12 ft awning need?
The canopy is 192 ft² (21.33 yd²) plus a 10.67 ft² valance (8 in), for 3 folding arms, 5 mounting brackets and 2 cassette end caps.
How much does a 16 × 12 ft retractable awning cost?
With an AC motor, standard fabric, pro installation and a wind sensor: about $5,275 (planning range $4,748–$5,908). A manual-crank version of the same size runs about $3,800 (range $3,420–$4,256). These are installed-price planning estimates, not quotes.
How high above a door must an awning be mounted?
Leave 10–12 in of clear wall above a swinging door so the pitched fabric clears the door top. For an 80-in (6.67 ft) door that means a minimum mount height of 7.5 ft — a 9 ft mount passes. The 7 ft head clearance under the front bar is a separate check.
Is this for shade sails or patio umbrellas?
No — this tool sizes wall-mounted awnings (fixed or retractable, attached to the house). A shade sail is tensioned fabric between posts or anchors, and a patio umbrella is a freestanding pole unit; each has different sizing math and is covered by its own dedicated calculator.
Free tool by NRTechStudio