What kind of spider has a big white abdomen with orange legs?

What kind of Washington state spider has a stocky build with black legs and head, and also a grey oval abdomen?

• I found a spider in the puget sound area of Washington state in the garden outside my house. I've lived here all my life and I haven't seen a spider like this before. It was ...show more

• Answer:

  This is really vague, but something resembling a tarantula but much smaller, may have been one of the jump spiders. http://hartmanprehistoricgarden.com/sp-phidippus1.jpg Further south, you might find something like the southern house spider: https://www.flickr.com/photos/32083154@N02/3710724674/ There are garden orb weavers that this could have been as well. Sadly, to be certain, I would simply have to see your little friend, and the best I can say, is this is very likely a harmless spider.