Folding picnic table plans. Free PDF download, step-by-step easy to follow instructions.

Folding Picnic Table Plans – Easy To Build Projects

Pictures From These Plans

table/bench

Folding picnic table plans. Plans include shopping list, cutting list, and free PDF download (link at bottom of blog post.

This picnic table folds to make a set of benches or can be put together to form a picnic table.

This simple DIY project can be completed in a weekend, follow the step-by-step illustrated instructions to get started. The download link can be found at the end of the project.

Folding Picnic Table Plans – Overview

Folding Picnic Table Plans – Material List

Shopping List

Shopping List

15 – 2×4 – 12′

4 – hinges

2 1/2″ deck screws

Cutting List

Cutting List

4 – 2×4 – 5′ 6″

6 – 2×4 – 10 3/4″

8 – 2×4 – 1′ 4″ (15-degree angle cuts on both ends in the same direction)

4 – 2×4 – 1′ 5″ (15-degree angle cuts on both ends in opposite directions)

2 – 2×4 – 5′ 3″

16 – 2×4 – 6′

4 – 2×4 – 1′ 2 3/4″ ( 45-degree bevel cuts both end in opposite directions)

4 – 2×4 – 1′ 3 1/2″ (15-degree bevel cuts on both end in same directions)

4 – 2×4 – 7 1/2″ (15-degree bevel cuts on both end in same directions)

4 – 2×4 – 5 1/2″ (15-degree bevel cuts on both end in same directions)

4 – 2×4 – 10″ (15-degree bevel cut on one end)

Folding picnic table plans, step 1.

Build two bench frames as shown above. Cut four 2×4’s to 5′ 6″ long, and six 2×4’s to 10 3/4″ long. Assemble as shown on illustration above using 2 1/2″ deck screws.

Folding picnic table plans, step 2.

Cut eight 2×4’s to 1′ 4″ long for the bench legs, cut 15-degree angle cuts on both ends in the same direction, see illustration above.

Folding picnic table plans, step 3.

Install the legs to the bench frame as shown on illustration above using 2 1/2″ deck screws.

Folding picnic table plans, step 4.

Cut four 2×4’s to 1′ 5″ long for the bench leg brace. Cut 15-degree angle cuts on both ends in opposite directions, see illustration above.

Folding picnic table plans, step 5.

Install the leg brace as shown on illustration above, screw 2 1/2 deck screws through the brace and into the legs.

Cut two 2×4’s to 5′ 3″ long for the bench support. Install as shown on illustration above, screw 2 1/2″ deck screws through the leg brace and into the bench support.

Cut eight 2×4’s to 6′ long for the bench top slats. Gap the slats about 1/4″, the ends of the bench seat slats will have a 1 1/2″ overhang, the front and back will have a 1/2″ overhang.

Folding picnic table plans, step 6.

Cut four 2×4’s to 1′ 2 3/4″ long, cut 45-degree bevel cuts to the ends as shown on illustration above.

Folding picnic table plans, step 7.

Install the 2×4’s to the bench slats as shown on illustration above using 2 1/2″ deck screws.

Folding picnic table plans, step 8.

Cut the parts for the table frame as shown below.

(A) Cut four 2×4’s to 1′ 3 1/2″ long, cut 15-degree bevel cuts on both end in same directions.

(B) Cut four 2×4’s to 7 1/2″ long, cut 15-degree bevel cuts on both end in same directions.

(C) Cut four 2×4’s to 5 1/2″ long, cut 15-degree bevel cuts on both end in same directions.

(D) Cut four 2×4’s to 10″ long, cut a 15-degree bevel cut on one end.

Folding picnic table plans, step 9.

Assemble four table frames as shown on illustration above using 2 1/2″ deck screws.

Folding picnic table plans, step 10.

Install the hinges as shown on illustration above.

Folding picnic table plans, step 11.

Cut eight 2×4’s to 6′ long. Gap the table slats about 1/4″ gap and install as shown above using 2 1/2″ deck screws. The table slats will have a 1 1/2″ overhang on the sides.

Folding picnic table plans.

Bring both pieces together to form the table.

Folding picnic table plans, table to bench.

Folding picnic table plans, table to bench.

Like these folding picnic table plans? Let me know, leave me a comment below. Share this link with your friends and your social media, thanks.

58 comments

  1. The plans you send are fantastic and I always share them with my friends and family, the web site looks a lot better

  2. Very good just that you should add a conversion table as we use meters and cm

  3. Love the new site looks very good. Can’t wait to try this new construct. Keep up the excellent work.

  4. This is one project I really wanted to do this summer. Now I have the plans to do it!
    Thanks 🙂

    • Shannon, I hope your folding table project turned out well. Just want to let you know that you’re one of the most beautiful women I’ve ever seen. That, or you’re just incredibly photographic! 😏

  5. The table looks easy enough to build and very useful as a table-bench combo.

  6. Are the 2 X 4’s used in your plans true 2″ X 4″; or planed 1 3.4″ X 3 1/2″ (purchased at Home Improvement Store)? Thanks, wonderful plans

  7. Are the 2″ X 4″s used in your plans true 2″ X 4″; or planed 1 1/2″ X 3 1/2″ dimensions (purchased at Home Improvement Store)? Thanks, wonderful plans.
    Sorry, had to repost, my error

  8. The table / benches came out great

  9. a great plan, however, would need some dimensions in centimeters

  10. These are fantastic! do you have plans for folding benches like this using 2×6 lumber? I’m guessing it’s ok to extend the bench to 8′ long instead of 6′ to provide more seating space.

  11. Folding picnic table plans please

  12. when you fold the two benches together to make the table,do you need some kind of brace or latch,to hold the two table tops even.so they don,t sage down,where they meet

    • Yeah , I just built these. Works great looks good . But the lack of braces or latches for the table bothered me before I even started cutting. Easy fix though.going to grab a couple heavy duty gate pins tomorrow should tune it right up

  13. Could these plans be changed to use 2×6’s instead of 2×4’s? Would you use the same measurements or???

  14. Did you all use Pressure treated wood?

  15. love the simplicity and function of the folding Picnic table

  16. Lindbert W Martinez

    I built one over the weekend awesome!!!! easy to follow plans

  17. Thanks for posting the plan. The plan was very good. One thing for beginners (like me) to note is that most of the views are side views, not top views. So, be careful how you cut the bevel/angle edges.

  18. Does anyone have a reference for weight capacity on something like this? It seems very sturdy, but would like to be sure that when I put two of them together, two adults could sit on each side.

  19. I’ve cut pressure treated wood that I plan to sand before assembling. What are your thoughts on finishing this? Should I let it season for a year and then treat it or treat it after sanding before assembling?

  20. The 4 board’s that make the arm restwill not go together like it shows either D is 3″short or C goes between B & D not on the bottom of B

  21. My mistake I cut the angles on the horizontal not on the flat, all cuts work out after I cut new boards

  22. Please send me the free plans for the folding bench/table

  23. Exact what type of hinges did you use? Does anyone recommend one type over another? I’m asking because I feel that a regular door hinge will not allow for the arm to sit flat in both positions. Thanks

  24. Cordial saludo, alguien me puede ayudar con lo siguiente, cómo se traduce en centimetros estas medidas: 1 ′ 3 1/2 ″ de largo o 1 ′ 4 ″

  25. My husband has been looking for a set of plans like this thank you for letting me download.

  26. could you please e-mail the plans for the folding bench/picnic table. thank you

  27. bonjour,
    Est-il possible d’avoir le plan en cm reel ou d’avoir l’explication des ex : 5′ 6″ que signifie’ et ” ? Je suis novice en la matiere. Merci de votre reponse.

  28. Great idea and VERY simple! I did however mess up the bevel pieces and had to buy/cut more material. Didn’t realize til I went to out the arms together and things wouldn’t match up but none the less, quick/easy fix and looks great. Thanks!

  29. Will the individual benches, when in table form, stand on their own, or will they tip over if they are not butted up to each other. We are looking at building something like this for an outdoor classroom, and want to see if all seating can be facing the teacher, or will they be problematic and tip over?

  30. This isn’t exactly correct. You would actually 16 2X4s to get the 16 pcs at exactly 6′ (shopping list says 15). Otherwise you be 1/8″ short on all of those boards

    • I did it with 15 and had leftover. The 12′ boards I bought were about 1/2″ longer than 12′, so I actually had to cut excess off to get to 6′ on both boards I cut from them. If your boards are exactly 12′, it’d be easier to just make all the long pieces 1/8″ shorter. It doesn’t really matter for the plans if they’re a little shorter or not as there’s overhang everywhere. You’d just need to even the overhangs.

  31. I would not suggest doing this out of hemlock, while it is cheap, it is also heavy.

  32. Built half (one bench). It looks great. Thanks for such a creative design.

  33. Excelente banco quisiera los planos para poder fabricarlo.
    Muchas gracias

  34. Hello,
    My name is Winter and I’m currently working on my Eagle Scout Project. If I could have these plans emailed to me quickly for benches for veterans at my VFW post that would be very appreciated. Have a great day and thank you!

  35. Walter J Joe Stewart

    These benches look like what I need for my back yard. We have 4 young grand nephews and nieces, that like to do projects with their dad and I. Dad is a cop and I am retired military. Would love to have these plans

  36. Love the plans for this bench and table but can’t find the download for it.
    Folding Picnic Table Plans – Easy To Build Projects Free PDF
    What gives?

  37. Please send pdf of folding picnic table plans.
    Thanks,

  38. can this table be expanded to 8′ from 6′?

  39. SUPER Table. Bal kimi. I love it

  40. muy buen proyecto gracias

  41. Does anyone have a cut list calculator already made that you won’t mind sharing it please

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