How to Compare & Select Container Sizes

Determining which storage container size you need boils down to three basic questions:

1. Do you need the container for on-site storage or a custom solution?

2. How much and what size items do you need to store?

3. How much space do you have for a storage container?

On-Site Storage vs. Custom Containers

While portable storage containers are available in a variety of sizes ranging from 10ft to 53ft, the industry standard lengths–and the most popular, readily available and (thanks to good ole’ supply and demand) cost-effective storage container sizes–are 20ft and 40ft units.

The other size containers for custom storage, workspace, living and commercial solutions are typically created by cutting down larger units or, for certain container sizes, sourcing from a shipping line or leasing company. So if you’re just looking for portable storage or simple modifications such as a fresh paint job, going with the 20ft standard, 40ft standard or 40ft high cube container is your best bet in terms of cost and delivery time frame.

Amount and Size of Storage Items

Factoring in the amount and size of the items you plan to store in your container will help you not only select the right container length, but also the right height.

The 20ft standard container has an internal height of 7’10” and can hold the equivalent of a one-car garage. The 40ft standard container also has an internal height of 7’10”; but with twice the length of space, it has the storage capacity of a two-car garage.

High cube containers have similar storage capacities as their standard size counterparts, but they’re a foot taller. So, for example, a 40ft high cube has an extra foot of height compared to a 40ft standard container. Although one foot might not sound like a huge difference, it gives high cubes just enough wiggle room to accommodate large or oversized items that require 8’10” of height inside the container (9’6” of external height) compared to the 7’10” internal height of standard storage container sizes.

Or, if you’re familiar with cargo capacity and shipping container lingo, you can think of it in terms of TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units). The volume of a 20ft standard container is considered 1 TEU, a 40ft container is 2 TEU, a 45ft is 2.25 TEU, so on and so forth.

On-Site Storage Space

Containers are durable boxes of steel that need adequate storage space, especially 40ft to 53ft units. So in order to determine the right container size, it’s important to think practically about the space and layout of your storage location. Can it realistically handle a 40, 45, or 53ft storage container? Or is a 20ft unit a better fit?

Small enough to squeeze into close quarters but large enough to meet most on-site storage demands, a 20ft storage container takes up about 1 standard parking space. A 40ft storage container, which is twice as long, the takes up roughly two parking spots.

Questions about Storage Container Sizes?

Give us a call. Whether you need a container for long-term or temporary portable storage or a custom on-site solution, we’re here to help. We have a variety of storage container sizes to fit your unique needs–with no hidden fees–and a flexible delivery schedule.