12x6 Pergolas

12x6 Refers to the Inside Dimensions of the Roof Opening

When we say a pergola's dimensions are 12x6, we are referring to the size of the roof opening (inside-edge to inside-edge). All of the kits featured on this page are meant to have a 12' wide x 6' deep roof opening. The overall outside-edge to outside-edge dimensions of the pergola will be:

• 12' 7.3" wide x 6' 7.3" deep (if you choose a kit for 4x4 posts) OR
• 12' 11.3" wide x 6' 11.3" deep (if you choose a kit for 6x6 posts)

With all of this being said, you can easily change the overall size of your pergola by trimming the wood posts that you plan to use for the roof beams. For example, if you wanted the true outside-edge to outside-edge dimensions of a free-standing pergola to be exactly 12' x 6', you would simply need to trim the roof beam posts to make them 7.3 inches (for 4x4 wood posts) or 11.3 inches (for 6x6 wood posts) shorter than a full 12 feet and 6 feet.

Reminder: Width & Depth Are Not Always Interchangeable

12' x 6' pergolas are different from 6' x 12' pergolas. The wall-mounted pergolas on this page will attach to your home on the 12' width side and come 6' out from the house wall. For free-standing pergolas with a slatted roof, the roof rafters will be mounted to the 6' beams and run the 12-foot width of the pergola (providing more shade when the afternoon/evening sunlight comes from the 12-foot width side). If your afternoon/evening sunlight will come from the 6-foot side, you'll want a 6x12 pergola instead.