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Container Size Guide
Which shipping container size is right for you?
Most buyers choose between three sizes — 10ft, 20ft, and 40ft — plus a taller “high cube” option. This guide shows what each one actually holds, how much room you need to receive it, and how to match a size to your project — so you don’t pay for space you won’t use or run out of room.
Start here
The one thing that changes between sizes
It’s simpler than it looks. Every standard container shares the same width and height — choosing a size is really about length and floor space.
10ft, 20ft and 40ft are all 8′ wide and 8′6″ tall
The number is the external length. A 40ft is simply twice as long as a 20ft — same footprint width, same door, same height. So the real questions are: how much floor length do you need, and do you have room to place and receive it?
At a glance
10ft vs 20ft vs 40ft, side by side
The numbers buyers actually ask about — usable space, what fits, weight, and how much room you need to receive each one.
| Spec | 10 ft | 20 ft Most popular | 40 ft |
|---|---|---|---|
| External (L × W × H) | 10′ × 8′ × 8′6″ | 20′ × 8′ × 8′6″ | 40′ × 8′ × 8′6″ |
| Usable inside (L × W × H) | ~9′4″ × 7′8″ × 7′10″ | ~19′4″ × 7′8″ × 7′10″ | ~39′5″ × 7′8″ × 7′10″ |
| Door opening (W × H) | ~7′8″ × 7′5″ | ~7′8″ × 7′5″ | ~7′8″ × 7′5″ |
| Floor area | ~72 sq ft | ~146 sq ft | ~305 sq ft |
| Storage capacity | ~560 cu ft | ~1,170 cu ft | ~2,390 cu ft |
| Empty (tare) weight | ~2,800 lb | ~5,000 lb | ~8,200 lb |
| Max payload (approx.) | ~20,000 lb | ~47,000 lb | ~59,000 lb |
| Holds (household) | ~1–2 rooms | 2–3 bed home | 4–5 bed home |
| Standard pallets (1 layer) | ~3 | ~9–10 | ~20–21 |
| Delivery run needed | ~50 ft | ~60 ft | ~100 ft+ |
| Best for | Tight spaces & small storage | The do-it-all default | Big loads & best value/cu ft |
Figures are typical and rounded for easy comparison. Exact dimensions and weights vary by manufacturer, age, and condition (new / “one-trip” vs used), and high cube units add 12″ of height. Your matched supplier confirms exact specs for any unit you’re considering.
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10 ft container
The small-footprint option
About the size of a large garden shed — the 10ft slots into spots a 20ft can’t reach, like a tight side yard or small job site. One thing to know: 10ft units are less common and are often purpose-built or cut down from larger boxes, so availability is thinner and the price per square foot can run higher than a 20ft.
Key specs
- Floor area~72 sq ft
- Capacity~560 cu ft
- Inside length~9′4″
- Door opening~7′8″ × 7′5″
- Empty weight~2,800 lb
- Holds~1–2 rooms
Great for
20 ft container
The versatile all-rounder
If you’re not sure, this is usually the answer. The 20ft is the most-requested size because it balances real capacity with a fair price and easy delivery — its floor is roughly a single-car garage. It’s big enough for most home moves and small-business stock, but still light and short enough to drop on most driveways.
Key specs
- Floor area~146 sq ft
- Capacity~1,170 cu ft
- Inside length~19′4″
- Door opening~7′8″ × 7′5″
- Empty weight~5,000 lb
- Holds2–3 bed home · ~9–10 pallets
Great for
40 ft container
Double the length, best value per cubic foot
Same 8′ × 8′6″ footprint as a 20ft, just twice as long — so it holds roughly double, and it’s typically the lowest cost per cubic foot you can buy. It’s the go-to for big moves, bulk storage, and large conversions. If you need to walk around tall equipment or want comfortable headroom for a build-out, ask about the 40ft high cube (a foot taller).
Key specs
- Floor area~305 sq ft
- Capacity~2,390 cu ft (HC ~2,690)
- Inside length~39′5″
- Door opening~7′8″ × 7′5″
- Empty weight~8,200 lb
- Holds4–5 bed home · ~20–21 pallets
Great for
Height options
Standard or high cube?
There’s a second height option worth knowing about. A high cube is the same length and width as a standard container but a full 12″ taller — 9′6″ on the outside, about 8′10″ of usable height inside. That extra foot adds roughly 13% more volume for the same footprint.
Choose a high cube when you need to stack taller pallets or machinery, want comfortable headroom for an office or living conversion, or just want more cubic space without taking up more ground. High cubes are most common in 40ft (20ft high cubes exist but are rarer). Build, doors, and condition work the same way — see container types for new vs used.
Reality check
What actually fits inside
Cubic feet are abstract. Here’s the same space in things you can picture — furniture, vehicles, and pallets.
10 ft Fits comfortably
- 1–2 rooms of furniture
- A motorcycle plus tools & boxes
- ~3 standard pallets
- Garden & seasonal gear, mowers
20 ft Fits comfortably
- Contents of a 2–3 bedroom home
- One car (compact to mid-size)
- ~9–10 standard pallets
- A small workshop or stockroom
40 ft Fits comfortably
- Contents of a 4–5 bedroom home
- Two cars (tight), or one car + boxes
- ~20–21 standard pallets
- Bulk inventory or a full job’s materials
Before you buy
The size you can receive, not just the size you want
This is the step most size guides skip — and the one that trips people up. Most containers arrive on a tilt-bed or roll-off truck that slides the box straight off the back, so you need a clear, firm, level run for it to land.
- Straight-line run. ~60 ft for a 20ft, ~100 ft+ for a 40ft. The truck can’t curve while it unloads.
- Firm, level ground. Gravel or concrete is ideal — soft soil or a steep slope can stop a delivery.
- Overhead clearance ~14 ft. The bed tilts up high — watch for power lines, low branches, and eaves.
- Gate & turning room. A wide enough entrance and space to maneuver matters as much as the spot itself.
- Door swing. Leave ~6 ft of clearance at the door end so the cargo doors can open fully.
- Tight site? Ask about a crane / HIAB placement, or splitting into two 20ft containers (each adds cost).
Decision checklist
5 questions before you choose
Run through these and the right size usually becomes obvious. When two sizes feel close, the tie-breakers are almost always delivery access and headroom — not price.
- What’s the job? Storage, a move, a workshop/office, or freight — each leans toward a size.
- How much, really? Count rooms or pallets, and measure your biggest item against the ~7′8″ × 7′5″ door.
- Where will it sit? Confirm the footprint fits, plus ~6 ft for the doors to swing open.
- Can a truck reach it? Straight run, overhead clearance, firm ground, gate width.
- Standard or high cube? Need headroom or tall items → go high cube.
Sizing FAQs
Common size questions
The 20ft. It hits the sweet spot of capacity, price, and easy delivery — roughly a single-car garage of floor space — which covers most home moves, storage needs, and small-business stock. If you’re unsure, it’s the safe default.
The name is the external length. The usable interior is a bit less once you account for the steel walls and doors — about 19′4″ long and 7′8″ wide inside a 20ft. Always plan around the interior and the door opening (~7′8″ × 7′5″), not the name.
If space is genuinely tight, the 10ft tucks in where a 20ft won’t. But once you’re storing more than a room of items — or want to store a car — the 20ft is usually better value per square foot, since 10ft units can be pricier and harder to find. Check your placement spot and delivery access first.
Yes, and it’s a smart move when access is tight or you want storage in two places. Two 20ft containers hold a similar amount to one 40ft and are easier to place — the trade-off is that a single 40ft is typically cheaper per cubic foot. Ask a supplier to price both so you can compare.
It’s the same length and width as a standard container but a foot taller — 9′6″ outside, ~8′10″ inside — for about 13% more volume on the same footprint. Choose one for tall pallets, machinery, or comfortable headroom in an office or living conversion. Most common in 40ft.
Plan for a straight, firm, level run of roughly 60 ft for a 20ft container and 100 ft or more for a 40ft, about 10–12 ft wide, with ~14 ft of overhead clearance for the truck’s tilting bed. If your site is tight, ask about crane placement or splitting into two 20ft units.
Usually no — a 40ft holds about twice a 20ft but doesn’t cost twice as much, so it’s typically the best value per cubic foot. The 10ft can buck the trend and cost more per square foot because it’s less common. For exact figures, try the cost estimator and request quotes for local pricing.
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