Size guide
Container Size Guide
Reference dimensions, approximate floor area and typical uses for every container size in the catalog, with a visual length comparison.
Dimensions shown are standard ISO reference figures for the nominal length and height class. Always confirm the exact figures on the individual product page before ordering.
At a glance
Size comparison table
Reference figures for standard ISO lengths. Height varies with the height class: standard units are around 8 ft 6 in externally and high cube units around 9 ft 6 in.
| Size | External length | External width | Approx. floor area | Roughly equivalent to | Browse |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 FT | 8 ft | 8 ft | ~64 sq ft | A large garden shed | View |
| 10 FT | 10 ft | 8 ft | ~80 sq ft | Half a single garage | View |
| 12 FT | 12 ft | 8 ft | ~96 sq ft | A generous single-bay store | View |
| 20 FT | 20 ft | 8 ft | ~160 sq ft | A one-car garage | View |
| 30 FT | 30 ft | 8 ft | ~240 sq ft | A long single-bay workshop | View |
| 40 FT | 40 ft | 8 ft | ~320 sq ft | A two-car garage | View |
Reference figures. These are standard ISO dimensions for each nominal length. Always confirm the exact figures on the individual product page, particularly for cut-down and converted units.
Standard height or high cube?
Every size above is available in two height classes. A standard container is around eight feet six inches externally, giving roughly seven feet ten inches inside. A high cube is around nine feet six externally and roughly eight feet ten inside.
That one extra foot decides more purchases than people expect. It is the difference between fitting one more shelf level across an entire racking run, between a pallet of stacked goods clearing the door frame or not, and between a converted interior feeling like a room or a corridor. If the container will be worked in rather than simply filled, high cube is almost always the better buy.
The exceptions are height restrictions at the placement point, overhead cables, and canopies or gateways the delivery vehicle has to pass under.
How to size for your contents
Work from floor area rather than volume. Most storage is limited by what you can reach and stack safely, not by the cubic capacity on paper. A useful method is to mark out the footprint on the ground with tape and physically arrange what you intend to store inside it.
Allow a walkway if you will need to reach the back regularly. A 20 FT container packed solid holds a great deal but becomes unusable for anything except long-term storage. If access matters, either size up or choose a double-door or side-opening configuration.
Next step
Match a size to your job
The container finder asks about use, space, placement, configuration and budget, then shortlists from the live catalog.