Shade sail sizes from 4 to 36 square metres
Sorted by shape. Each size shows the area of the sail - not the area that ends up in the shade: when the sun is low, the shadow moves to the side. The sizes we sell most often are 3 x 4 m, 4 x 5 m and 4 x 6 m. A rectangular sail of 2 x 3 m, 2 x 4 m or 5 x 7 m is not one of our standard sizes - we sew these to order. If you are still choosing the shape, see square shade sails, rectangular shade sails, triangle shade sails and trapezoid shade sails.
Which size for which area
The usual mistake is a sail that is too small. Add half a metre on each side to the area you want in the shade - in Central Europe and the UK the sun is never directly overhead, even in midsummer, so the shadow falls at an angle. A small shade sail usually means the sizes up to 3 x 3 m; anything from around 20 m² of sail area counts as a large shade sail. A rectangle covers a narrow patio better than a square of the same area - with a rectangular sail, the longer edge decides how far the shade reaches.
| What should be in the shade | Floor area | Suitable sail | Sail area |
|---|---|---|---|
| Balcony or sandpit | up to 2 x 2 m | 2 x 2 m or triangle 3 x 3 x 3 m | 4 or 3.9 m² |
| Dining table for four with chairs | around 2 x 2.5 m | 3 x 3 m or 3 x 4 m | 9 or 12 m² |
| Dining table for six to eight | around 2.5 x 3.5 m | 3.5 x 3.5 m, 3 x 5 m or 4 x 4 m | 12.25 to 16 m² |
| Lounge group with side tables | around 3 x 4 m | 4 x 5 m or 4.5 x 4.5 m | 20 m² |
| Patio against the house wall | 3 x 6 m and longer | 3 x 6 m, 4 x 6 m or 5 x 6 m | 18 to 30 m² |
| Corner between two walls | sides up to 5 m | triangle 5 x 5 x 7.1 m | 12.5 m² |
Every size in three finishes
The sizes are the same in all three fabrics; the difference lies in water, weight and colour choice. We sew from tightly woven outdoor fabrics, not from HDPE fabric - the knitted shade netting of 160 to 220 g/m² that is often sold as a shade sail: HDPE is air-permeable and inexpensive, but it neither keeps rain out nor holds its colour over the years. Free fabric samples show the feel and the shade of colour before you order. What a water column tells you is explained in the guide What is a water column, what lightfastness means in the guide What is lightfastness.
| Finish | Water | Fabric and weight | Lightfastness (ISO 105-B02) | Tear strength | Colours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agora, water-repellent | Water column 180 mm to UNE EN ISO 20811, lets water through in persistent rain | 100 % solution-dyed acrylic, 260 g/m², UV protection UPF 50+ to AS/NZS 4399 | 7-8 out of 8 | Maximum tensile force 1,800 N in warp direction (ISO 13934-1) | 10 |
| Olefin, water-repellent | hydrophobic finish, the fibre absorbs no water, air-permeable | 100 % polypropylene, 260 g/m², UV-resistant from the fibre itself | over 7 out of 8 | Maximum tensile force 1,894 N in warp direction (ISO 13934-1) | 14 |
| Cover, waterproof | Water column over 1,500 mm, PU-coated, weatherproof even in heavy rain | Polyester fabric (PES), 240 g/m², UV-stabilised | 7-8 out of 8 | tight seams that swell when wet | 5 |
From the area to the right size
Find the fixing points
Points first, then the size. House wall, post, tree - the distance between them is larger than the sail, because the fixings sit in between. Each corner has a stainless steel fixing ring that takes a snap hook and a turnbuckle. Allow 30 to 50 cm per corner.
Plan the slope
A sail is never tensioned level. A height difference of 25 to 30 cm per metre across the diagonal decides how the sail copes with rain and wind. On a 4 x 4 m sail that means around 1.4 m between the high and the low point.
Pick a size from the list
If one of the 23 sizes fits, you can order it straight away. If none fits, use the shade sail configurator - there you enter every edge length separately.
Choose the finish
If you want to sit under the sail in the rain as well, you need the waterproof finish. For heat and a light breeze, the water-repellent fabric is enough. If in doubt, our Service Center will help.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources
- Sun shade sails at a glance
- What is a water column
- What is lightfastness
- Installation guide for sun shade sails
- Tolerances in made-to-measure products
- Advice from our Service Center
- Shade sail configurator
Last reviewed: 09.10.2026 · Reviewer: Germes-Team
No size that fits?
Send us the distances between your fixing points - we will tell you which format fits, or sew the sail to your measurements.