How to measure for your mud kitchen project
- Choose a size and counter height. Pick Small (36 in) for a compact build, Medium (48 in) as the all-rounder, or Large (66 in) for an extra-wide worktop. Set counter height to suit whoever will use it: 18-20 in for a low station, 22-24 in for a standard working height. The calculator uses that number for the front leg length.
- Pick a board and add shelves. Select 1x6 cedar for the best outdoor durability, fence pickets for a budget build, or pallet boards for the lowest cost (sand them smooth before use). Add one lower shelf for pots and storage; two shelves if you want a dedicated lower work area.
- Read the cut list and buy materials. The calculator returns a full cut list, the number of 8-foot boards to buy (with 10% waste already added), screw quantities, and the basin hole size. Seal all wood with an exterior wood finish before assembly, and pre-drill holes near board ends to prevent splitting.
How the mud kitchen calculator works
The calculator builds a cut list from your width, depth, counter height, and backsplash height. Worktop and shelf boards are counted by dividing the depth by the board face width (5.5 in for a nominal 1x6) and rounding up. All linear inches of each stock group (2x2 frame pieces vs. 1x6 surface boards) are divided by 96 in (an 8-foot board) and multiplied by 1.10 for a 10% waste factor, then rounded up to whole boards. Surface screws (1-1/4 in) are estimated at 3 per board-face piece, rounded up to the nearest 25; frame screws (2-1/2 in) are counted the same way for the 2x2 pieces. For a medium 48-inch build at 22 in counter, 18 in backsplash, 20 in deep, and 1 shelf: the frame group (legs, top frame, shelf frame = 14 pieces) and board group (worktop + shelf + backsplash boards = roughly 14 surface pieces) together tally to 12 eight-foot boards; screws round up to 50 of each size.
Which type are you estimating?
Small (36 in) — compact build
The 36-inch width is compact and easy to move around the yard. At 9 boards it is the fastest and cheapest build. Set counter height to 18-20 in for a low station, and one shelf below is plenty.
Enter: Size: Small; Counter height: 18-20 in; Shelves: 1; Board: any
Medium (48 in) — all-rounder
The 48-inch default is the most popular choice: wide enough for two people to work at once, compact enough for most garden spaces. At 12 boards and 50 of each screw size it strikes the best balance of material cost and usability.
Enter: Size: Medium; Counter height: 22 in; Shelves: 1; Board: 1x6 cedar
Large (66 in) — extra-wide build
At 66 inches the large build gives an extra-wide worktop. It needs 15 boards and is a good candidate for a second basin cut-out on the opposite end. Cedar or fence pickets both work well at this span.
Enter: Size: Large; Counter height: 22-24 in; Shelves: 1-2; Basin: 10-gal tub
Custom width — fit your fence or wall
Select "Custom width" and type any measurement in inches to butt the kitchen flush against a fence post or garden wall. The cut list adjusts all frame and surface pieces to your exact dimension.
Enter: Size: Custom; Width: your measurement in inches
Budget build with fence pickets or pallet boards
Fence pickets are often under $2 each and are already cut to a useful length; pallet boards are sometimes free. Select the matching board option so the label on the cut list reminds you which stock to grab. Sand pallet boards extra smooth and apply two coats of exterior-grade sealer.
Enter: Size: any; Board: Fence picket or Pallet boards
Tips & ways to save
- Build to the user, not a fixed height. Measure from the floor to the bent elbow of whoever will use it and subtract about 2 inches — that is your ideal counter height. A low station lands around 18-20 in; a standard height is typically 22-24 in.
- Seal every face, edge, and end-grain before assembly. Exterior deck stain, tung oil, or a clear wood sealer all work; re-apply once a year so the wood does not split or rot.
- Cut the basin hole a quarter-inch smaller on each side than the tub lip — not the tub body. The lip rests on the worktop and the tub drops out for rinsing. For the 10-gal tub, cut a 14.5 x 20.75 in opening; for the 5-gal tub, cut 10.5 x 15 in.
- Pre-drill holes within 2 inches of any board end. Cedar and pine split easily; a 1/8-inch pilot hole prevents cracking and gives the screw more grip.
- Add a hook strip or a short length of pegboard to the backsplash for hanging pots, utensils, and sieves. A thin 1x2 rail screwed across the top of the backsplash doubles as a shelf for jars and small pots.
Mud kitchen lumber by size (20 in deep, 22 in counter, 1 shelf)
| Size | Boards to buy | 1¼ in screws | 2½ in screws |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small (36 in) | 9 | 50 | 50 |
| Medium (48 in) | 12 | 50 | 50 |
| Large (66 in) | 15 | 50 | 50 |
Boards are nominal 8-ft lengths (2x2 frame + 1x6 surfaces) with 10% waste. A 10-gallon storage tub (about 14.5 × 20.75 in) makes the classic drop-in "sink."
Frequently asked questions
What size should a mud kitchen be?
What wood should I use for a mud kitchen?
What do you use for a mud kitchen sink?
How many boards do I need to build a mud kitchen?
Do I need to treat or seal the wood on a mud kitchen?
What screws should I use for a mud kitchen?
Sources
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Reviewed by the BackyardCalc editorial team. Figures are computed from the formula above and checked against manufacturer yields.