Tote Rack Planner — Cut List
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DIY Tote Rack Plans — Cut List Generator
Enter your rows, columns, and tote dimensions to get a live 3D model and a complete lumber cut list — quantities, lengths, and board-feet — ready to take to the lumber yard. Defaults to the Greenmade 27-gallon tote from Costco (30.75" × 20.5" × 14.375").
Set rows, columns, and tote size
Review the live 3D model
Print or copy the cut list
Configure Your Rack
Overall Rack Size
7' 7.5"
Wide
4' 5.38"
Tall
3' 3.75"
Deep
All lumber: 2×4 (1.5" × 3.5" actual) · Runners: 2×2
Total pieces: 43 Board-feet: 75.13 bd-ft
| Piece | Qty | Length | Bd-Ft | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Horizontal Rail (top/bottom) | 4 | 91.5" | 13.34 | ||||
| Upright | 10 | 50.38" | 18.37 | ||||
| Runner (tote lip support) | 24 | 39.75" | 14.91 | ||||
| Frame Connector | 2 | 39.75" | 2.9 | ||||
| Rear Brace | 2 | 91.5" | 6.67 | ||||
| Top Shelf | 1 | 91.5" | 18.94 | ||||
| Total | 43 | 75.13 |
* Board-feet at actual dimensions. Add 10–15% for waste. All lumber is 2×4 (1.5" × 3.5" actual) unless noted. Runners are 2×2 (1.5" × 1.5" actual). Totes hang by their lip on the runners.
Now that you know how you'll store it — track what goes inside.
Tameru is free forever. Scan items in, know exactly what's in each bin.
Dimensions Diagram (front view)
Rails & uprights (2×4)
Runners (2×2)
Assembly Steps
- 1 Cut all pieces to size per the cut list. Label each piece with its role (rail, upright, runner, etc.).
- 2 Build the front ladder frame on a flat surface: lay the bottom rail, stand 5 uprights in between, cap with the top rail. Check square, then fasten.
- 3 Build an identical back ladder frame the same way.
- 4 Stand both frames upright, parallel, 3' 3.75" apart. Attach the two top frame connectors at the left and right corners to lock the spacing.
- 5 Mark runner positions on the inner face of each upright at: 1' 1.72", 2' 7.1", 4' 0.48" from the floor. Attach one 2×2 runner to each side of every tote slot at those heights — tote lips will rest on the runner top surface.
- 6 Fasten rear braces flat against the outer back face of the back frame at the marked heights for rigidity and wall anchoring.
- 7 Lay the ¾" plywood top shelf across the top of the rack and fasten.
- 8 Check that the rack stands plumb and level. Shim the base if needed.
- 9 Anchor to the wall studs through the rear braces (or back frame top rail) with lag screws.
Frequently Asked Questions
What lumber do I need to build a tote storage rack?
The standard build uses construction-grade 2×4 lumber for the rails and uprights, 2×2 for the tote runners (the horizontal ledges the tote lips rest on), and optionally ¾" plywood for a top shelf. For a 3-row × 4-column rack using the Greenmade 27-gallon tote, expect roughly 50–60 board-feet of 2×4, 15–20 board-feet of 2×2, and one 4×8 sheet of plywood if you include the top shelf. The planner calculates exact quantities for your configuration.
Will this rack fit Greenmade 27-gallon totes from Costco?
Yes — the default configuration is pre-set for the Greenmade 27-gallon storage bin (30.75" deep × 20.5" wide × 14.375" tall including the lip). The runners are sized so the tote lip rests flush on the 2×2, with 0.25" clearance per side and 1.5" vertical clearance above each tote for easy removal. If you have a different tote, enter its exterior dimensions in the Width, Depth, and Height fields.
How do I read the cut list — what are "board-feet"?
Each row shows a piece name, the stock size to buy (e.g., "2×4"), quantity, and the length to cut in inches. Board-feet (bd-ft) is the unit lumber yards use for pricing: 1 bd-ft = 144 cubic inches of wood, or a piece 1" thick × 12" wide × 12" long. The planner computes board-feet at actual dimensions (not nominal). Add 10–15% to the total when purchasing to account for defects and cut waste.
How do I anchor the rack to the wall?
Enable "Rear Braces" in the configurator. These are horizontal 2×4s that run across the back of the frame at each row level. After the rack is assembled and plumb, drive 3" lag screws through the rear braces into wall studs — 16" or 24" on-center depending on your framing. A loaded tote rack is heavy; always anchor into studs, not drywall anchors. If your rack width doesn't land on studs, add a horizontal ledger board to the wall first.
Can I use this for totes other than Greenmade — IRIS, Sterilite, HDX?
Yes. Clear the defaults and enter your tote's exterior dimensions — the planner recalculates everything. Measure the tote with the lid on if you want lid clearance, or without for open-top storage. Common alternatives: IRIS WeatherPro 53-gal (35.6" × 20.4" × 17.8"), Sterilite 30-gal (36" × 18.5" × 13.5"), HDX 27-gal (varies by SKU — measure yours). The tote must have a lip or rim that overhangs the runner; totes without a lip will not hang correctly on this style of rack.
What tools do I need to build this rack?
Miter saw or circular saw for crosscuts, drill/driver for fasteners, tape measure, framing square, and a level. If the lumber yard will cross-cut to length for you (many do for a small fee), you can build this with just a drill/driver and a level. Fasteners: 3" structural screws (GRK or similar) for frame joints; 2.5" screws for runners into uprights. Wood glue at joints is optional but adds rigidity.