Storage containers come in a few standard sizes. The figures below are typical for standard steel containers. Individual containers vary by a few centimetres, so check with the operator if a tight fit matters.
| Size | Internal (L × W × H) | Floor area | Volume | Door opening |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10ft | 2.80 × 2.35 × 2.39 m | about 70 sq ft | about 16 m³ (560 cu ft) | 2.34 × 2.28 m |
| 20ft | 5.90 × 2.35 × 2.39 m | about 150 sq ft | about 33 m³ (1,170 cu ft) | 2.34 × 2.28 m |
| 20ft high cube | 5.90 × 2.35 × 2.69 m | about 150 sq ft | about 37 m³ (1,310 cu ft) | 2.34 × 2.58 m |
| 40ft | 12.03 × 2.35 × 2.39 m | about 300 sq ft | about 67 m³ (2,390 cu ft) | 2.34 × 2.28 m |
| 40ft high cube | 12.03 × 2.35 × 2.69 m | about 300 sq ft | about 76 m³ (2,690 cu ft) | 2.34 × 2.58 m |
External sizes are 2.44 m (8ft) wide and 2.59 m (8ft 6in) tall for a standard container, 2.90 m (9ft 6in) for a high cube. Lengths are 2.99 m, 6.06 m and 12.19 m.
What fits in each size
10ft: the contents of a one-bedroom flat, a trade's tools and materials, garden machinery, or a motorbike with room to spare.
20ft: the contents of a two- to three-bedroom house, a small car, a pallet-racked stock room, or a builder's site store. It's the most common size on storage yards.
40ft: a four-bedroom house, business stock on racking, or vehicles and plant. Fewer yards offer 40ft units, and they need more space to reach the doors.
Will my item fit through the doors?
The door opening is the limit, not the floor. A standard container's doors are about 2.28 m high and 2.34 m wide. Tall items such as racking, a ride-on mower on a trailer or a van-height crate may need a high cube. Measure the item and ask the operator for the door size of the container you'll actually get.
Not sure how much space you need? Try the storage size calculator, or browse container storage near you.
Common questions
How many square feet is a 20ft container?
About 150 sq ft of floor space inside (5.9 m × 2.35 m), and about 1,170 cubic feet of volume.
How tall is a shipping container inside?
A standard container is about 2.39 m (7ft 10in) high inside. A high cube is about 2.69 m (8ft 10in).
Can you fit a car in a 20ft container?
Most small and medium cars fit. The door opening is about 2.34 m wide, so check your car's width with mirrors folded.
