You'll want to start by defining you needs. Are you planning on using several high draw tools at the same time? Do you need 240v for anything, now or in the future?

Without a subpanel you are limited to two 20 amp, 120v circuits using a multiwire branch circuit. Beyond that you'll need to subpanel (maybe 60 amps) and drive a couple of ground rods and make the appropriate connections to them.

With that kind of length, you'd want to size up the conductors a bit to avoid excessive voltage drop. You will need #10 (while #12 would be legal, it would have substantial drop).

This 20A circuit, is it 240? To install a subpanel you'll pretty much need it to be. However, with 4 receptacles and a light you really don't need a subpanel. Run it as a single MWBC. This will preclude you having to install a grounding system (rods) out at the shed.

You'll need some wet rated cable (such as type UF) buried down 24" (you could go only 12" if the thing is GFCI protected at the house end). Conduits could be shallower depending on what they are made out of.

Unless you are solely working with hand tools, you may be underestimating the power you are going to require.

thanks for the input. I will be running power tools such as saw and drill, but never more than one at a time. the only other thing running would be light and maybe a small window a/c or space heater.

Both a window AC or space heater will chew up pretty much all of that 20A on it's own.

if it's too much trouble or too much money i may not run the a/c or heater

Years ago I was doing some work in a guy's garage where he had set up a little workshop. It was served by a single 20 amp circuit. It was winter and we had the choice of light and heat or light and the tablesaw. No heat and tablesaw. ;-)

so im trying to decide between a subpanel or a Multi-Wire Branch Circuit. Any advice? also have a 30 amp circuit i could run power from if that helps.

At 30 Amps / 240V you are to the point where a subpanel might be interesting. You could get the space heater going and still have the lights and a small power tool or two.

Of couse the wiring will need to be larger and you will require a grounding system. Frankly, that's not the worst thing you'll have to do.

Get out your measuring tape again. If it is about 100' that is a big uncertainty wrt cost. If you need more than a 100' length, you have to buy 250' at the big box. At 100" the difference between 12 and 10 is not much. At 250", it will be $100.

A sub panel will only cost you $30 and then there are the breakers. Adding a panel will cost more for breakers.

@ @ >100' with sandy soil (easier to do-over later), maybe I'd put in a MWBC

Get out your measuring tape again. If it is about 100' that is a big uncertainty wrt cost. If you need more than a 100' length, you have to buy 250' at the big box. At 100" the difference between 12 and 10 is not much. At 250", it will be $100.

A sub panel will only cost you $30 and then there are the breakers. Adding a panel will cost more for breakers.

@ @ >100' with sandy soil (easier to do-over later), maybe I'd put in a MWBC

P,S., buy a heat pump window unit for heat.

ok, so i'm getting ready to start everything and just want to make sure im doing it right. Im using a 30 amp circuit to run out to the shed and a 100a subpanel.

1. what gauge wire should i run from the house on a 30 amp circuit? and should it be indoor or outdoor rated?

2. How deep do i need to bury it and what type of conduit should i use?

3. Does it need to be GFCI protected?

Im taking the panel to an electrician friend to wire it, he cant come out so i'll just mount it and connect the wires, and ground. thanks for any input you have!

oh and also, it is 175 feet from house to shed.

Accessory buildings at or below grade require GFCI on all 120V 15 or 20A receptacles.

There's not really an "outdoor" rated wire. What you need is WET rated (and possibly sunlight rated if it is going to be exposed).

How deep depends on what kind of cable/conduit you are putting in. Direct bury under just lawn is 24". Conduit goes between 6-18" depending on what kind of conduit.

175 is a long distance, to avoid excessive drop, 6 gauge would be advisable.