Slabs for an 8 × 6 ft shed base, by slab size
An 8 × 6 ft shed is the most common garden shed, with space for tools, a mower, bikes and shelving. The base here is 2.4 × 1.8 m, converted at 0.3 m per foot, which leaves it marginally smaller than the shed floor as most shed makers ask (check your shed's instructions). The layout column shows where whole slabs fit with tight joints; the last column is the paving calculator's count with 10 mm joints and 10% for cuts and breakage.
| Slab size | Layout | Slabs by area | Slabs to buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 600 × 600 mm | 4 × 3, no cuts | 12 | 13 |
| 450 × 450 mm | Needs cuts | 22 | 23 |
| 400 × 400 mm | Needs cuts | 27 | 29 |
| 300 × 300 mm | 8 × 6, no cuts | 48 | 50 |
| 600 × 300 mm | 4 × 6, no cuts | 24 | 26 |
| 900 × 600 mm | 4 × 2, no cuts | 8 | 9 |
Twelve slabs, four by three
The most common shed size is also the neatest in slabs: four along and three across with tight joints and no cuts. Buying the calculator's 13 leaves 1 spare for a slab that arrives chipped. Set the first slab at a corner, check it both ways with a level, and work outwards from it.
Before bedding the slabs, check the base is square by measuring corner to corner: on a 2.4 × 1.8 m base both diagonals should be 3.00 m. For comparison, a concrete base this size takes 0.48 m³, which is 7 bags of cement plus sand and aggregate to mix.
Sub-base and bed for 2.4 × 1.8 m
| Layer | Quantity |
|---|---|
| MOT Type 1 sub-base, 100 mm | 1.00 tonnes |
| MOT Type 1 sub-base, 150 mm (soft ground) | 1.50 tonnes |
| Sharp sand for a 30 mm sand bed | 0.22 tonnes |
| Or a 40 mm mortar bed at 6:1 | 0.32 tonnes of sharp sand and 2 bags of 25 kg cement |
Quantities include 5% extra. Check for buried services before you dig, using the free LSBUD service. Shed base options compared weighs slabs against concrete, a plastic grid and a timber frame, and the concrete version of this base is on how much concrete for an 8 × 6 ft shed base.
Want to change anything else? The calculator above is the full Paving Slab Calculator (UK): edit any number and the results update instantly.
Tools & materials for this project
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Frequently asked questions
How many slabs do I need for an 8x6 shed base?
12 slabs of 600 × 600 mm, laid 4 by 3, cover the 2.4 × 1.8 m base with tight joints and no cuts. Buy 13 to have 1 spare; that is the paving calculator's count with 10 mm joints and 10% extra.
What goes under the slabs for an 8x6 shed base?
About 100 mm of compacted MOT Type 1 (1.00 tonnes for this base) and a 30 mm bed of sharp sand (0.22 tonnes). On soft ground use 150 mm of sub-base, which is 1.50 tonnes.
How do I check an 8x6 slab base is square?
Measure both diagonals. On a 2.4 × 1.8 m base they should both be 3.00 m. If one is longer, nudge the corners until they match before you bed the slabs.
Related sizes and guides
Estimates only. Results assume standard materials and simple shapes. Supplier products vary, and the final call on quantity, structure and safety is yours. Check the Building Regulations and your supplier's guidance before ordering.