Slabs for an 8 × 8 ft shed base, by slab size
An 8 × 8 ft shed is a square store or a small workshop with a bench along one wall. The base here is 2.4 × 2.4 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 × 4, no cuts | 16 | 18 |
| 450 × 450 mm | Needs cuts | 29 | 30 |
| 400 × 400 mm | 6 × 6, no cuts | 36 | 38 |
| 300 × 300 mm | 8 × 8, no cuts | 64 | 66 |
| 600 × 300 mm | 4 × 8, no cuts | 32 | 34 |
| 900 × 600 mm | Needs cuts | 11 | 12 |
A square of sixteen
Four slabs each way makes this base, 16 in all, and the calculator's count with joints and spares is 18. A square base shows up a wandering joint line more than a long one does, so run a string line along the first row and keep to it.
Both diagonals of a 2.4 × 2.4 m square should measure 3.39 m. If you prefer smaller slabs that are easier to lift, 400 × 400 mm fits exactly at 6 by 6, which is 36 slabs.
Sub-base and bed for 2.4 × 2.4 m
| Layer | Quantity |
|---|---|
| MOT Type 1 sub-base, 100 mm | 1.33 tonnes |
| MOT Type 1 sub-base, 150 mm (soft ground) | 2.00 tonnes |
| Sharp sand for a 30 mm sand bed | 0.29 tonnes |
| Or a 40 mm mortar bed at 6:1 | 0.43 tonnes of sharp sand and 3 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 × 8 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 8x8 shed base?
16 slabs of 600 × 600 mm, laid 4 by 4, cover the 2.4 × 2.4 m base with tight joints and no cuts. Buy 18 to have 2 spares; that is the paving calculator's count with 10 mm joints and 10% extra.
What goes under the slabs for an 8x8 shed base?
About 100 mm of compacted MOT Type 1 (1.33 tonnes for this base) and a 30 mm bed of sharp sand (0.29 tonnes). On soft ground use 150 mm of sub-base, which is 2.00 tonnes.
Can I use 400 mm slabs for an 8x8 shed base?
Yes. A 2.4 × 2.4 m base is exactly 6 by 6 slabs of 400 × 400 mm, 36 in all with tight joints and no cuts, against 16 slabs of 600 × 600 mm.
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.