12×12 Freestanding Pergola
A 12×12 open-lattice pergola sized for a full outdoor dining set — framing drawings, cut list, and materials BOM.
Open this pergola in the 3D designer, change the footprint, post height and pitch, and price it as you go. The framing drawings, cut list and full quantities are $99 once, when you're ready to build.
Covered Area
144 sq ft
Post Layout
12′ × 12′ (post centerlines)
Post Height
8′
Roof Pitch
1/12
Design Wind
115 mph, Exposure B
About This Design
At 12×12, this open-lattice pergola covers a full outdoor seating group with room to spare. It stands on its own six posts — no shed, no wall to lean on — with knee braces at every post-to-beam joint and a rafter layout proven by the ADR 027 pergola engineering ruleset.
A poured pad or slab is the only foundation this design needs, so it drops onto a corner of a deck or a bare patch of yard equally well.
Key Features
- 12×12 open-lattice roof on 6×6 posts
- Rafter tails and knee braces sized by the pergola engineering ruleset (ADR 027)
- Surface post foundation on a poured slab or existing pad
- Full cut list and materials BOM through the same framing engine as every plan
Build Notes
Set posts on a poured slab or an existing pad, then run the beams and rafters per the framing drawings. Knee braces at each post-to-beam joint are part of the load path, not decoration — do not omit them.
The BOM covers posts, beams, rafters, and hardware. Concrete for the pad is priced separately or supplied by others.
Best For
Right-sized for shading a patio, deck, or outdoor dining area. Want a solid roof instead of open lattice? See our carport plans.
Engineering Notes
The framing engine checks this pergola's posts, knee braces, footings and roof uplift at 115 mph, Exposure B — the ASCE 7 basic wind speed across most of the interior United States. It is not a stamped design: a higher wind zone, an open or coastal site, or a jurisdiction that asks for sealed drawings needs a local engineer to review it.
Interactive 3D Preview
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a 12×12 pergola cost to build?
The materials estimate on this page is computed live from the plan's BOM: posts, beams, rafters and hardware. Concrete, footings by others, and any electrical are accessories outside the BOM.
Do I need a permit for a 12×12 pergola?
Freestanding accessory structures are frequently exempt below a jurisdiction's square-footage threshold, but setback and height rules still apply. Confirm with your local building department before building.
What materials are included in the 12×12 pergola plans?
The plans include framing drawings with a cut list and a materials BOM covering the posts, beams, rafters, purlins, fasteners and hardware, plus the interactive 3D preview. A freestanding pergola does not come with the multi-sheet printable permit plan set — that set draws a building's walls and foundation, which a pergola has none of. Bring the framing drawings to your building department if your jurisdiction requires a permit.
