Container dimensions follow international ISO standards: a 10ft unit is about 3 metres long, a 20ft about 6 metres and a 40ft about 12 metres, all sharing a width of 2.44 m and a height of 2.59 m. But the numbers only tell half the story — what really matters is what fits inside. In this guide you’ll find detailed measurements, volumes and real-world examples for each size.
Container dimensions table
| Type | External (L×W×H) | Internal (L×W×H) | Floor area | Volume |
| 10ft | 2,99 × 2,44 × 2,59 m | 2,84 × 2,35 × 2,39 m | 6,7 m² | ~16 m³ |
| 20ft | 6,06 × 2,44 × 2,59 m | 5,90 × 2,35 × 2,39 m | 13,9 m² | ~33 m³ |
| 40ft | 12,19 × 2,44 × 2,59 m | 12,03 × 2,35 × 2,39 m | 28,3 m² | ~67m³ |
Note: internal dimensions are slightly smaller due to wall thickness. The door opening is about 2.28 m high — important if you plan to store tall items.
The 10ft container: small but practical
With a 6.7 m² floor and roughly 16 cubic metres of volume, the 10ft roughly matches a small room. In practice it holds:
- The contents of a studio flat: bed, wardrobe, sofa, a small dining set and 30-40 boxes.
- Garden equipment, tools and bicycles — ideal as a garden storage unit.
- The stock of a small business or the equipment of a small shop.
The 20ft container: the most popular size
The 20ft is the “gold standard” of storage: a 13.9 m² floor and 33 cubic metres. Indicatively, it holds:
- A two- to three-room apartment: all furniture (sofa, beds, wardrobes, dining set), appliances and 80-100 boxes.
- The equipment of an organised beach or a food business out of season.
- Construction site materials and tools for medium-sized projects.
If you’re torn between two sizes, the 20ft is almost always the safe choice for a household move.
The 40ft container: for large needs
With a 28.3 m² floor and around 67 cubic metres, the 40ft offers double the capacity of a 20ft. It’s usually chosen by:
- Households with a large detached house or a 4+ room home, including garden and garage equipment.
- Businesses with large stock, hotel equipment or years of archives.
- Construction sites and technical companies for materials, machinery and temporary space.
How to work out how much space you need
A practical rule: each furnished room of a house corresponds to 5-8 cubic metres of storage space. Count your rooms, add a 10-15% margin for access corridors, and compare with each container’s volume. And remember: with smart stacking and furniture disassembly, the same space fits considerably more.
What to consider beyond dimensions
- Access for placement: a 40ft unit requires plenty of free space and access for a crane truck. On narrow roads or small yards, two 20ft units can be the more practical solution.
- Door height: about 2.28 m — measure tall furniture and machinery before deciding.
- High cube: versions with an extra 30 cm of height exist if you’re storing bulky items.
- Container condition: watertightness and door seals matter more than a few centimetres of difference in dimensions.
Frequently asked questions
Not sure about the size?
Describe what you want to store and we’ll suggest the right container — so you don’t pay for space you don’t need. Call us on +30 697 192 4580 or request a quote online.