Most of our customers choose between a 20ft (6 m) and a 40ft (12 m) shipping container. Both are equally wide and high - the difference is length, volume and how much room delivery needs. Below we compare them side by side to help you decide whether a 20ft or a 40ft container suits you.
20ft and 40ft container side by side
| 20 ft (6 m) | 40 ft (12 m) | |
|---|---|---|
| External (L × W × H) | 6058 × 2438 × 2591 mm | 12 192 × 2438 × 2591 mm |
| Internal (L × W × H) | 5898 × 2352 × 2393 mm | 12 032 × 2352 × 2393 mm |
| Volume | 33-33.2 m³ | 67.3-67.8 m³ |
| Floor area inside | about 13.9 m² | about 28.3 m² |
| Euro pallets | up to 11 | 23-24 |
| Tare weight | 2145-2370 kg | 3640-4000 kg |
| Delivery | small crane truck (10-15 t, 9-12 m reach) | large crane truck (17-21 t, 12-14 m reach) or side loader |
| Space needed | about 7 m long | about 13 m long |
Both sizes also come as high cube, about 30 cm taller (2698 mm inside height).
When to choose a 20ft container
- Your site is small. A 6-metre container fits in a private yard, beside a garage or on a narrow building site.
- You have about a flat's worth of things. 33 m³ and up to 11 euro pallets is usually enough for a home, a small business or a building site store.
- Heavy goods. A 20ft container's payload (up to 28 335 kg) is almost the same as a 40ft's. For heavy, dense goods - metal, stone or building materials - the 20ft is often the more practical choice.
- A small container home, sauna or office. A 20ft high cube is a good base for one or two people.
When to choose a 40ft container
- You have a lot to store. 67 m³ and 23-24 euro pallets - double the space in one container.
- Long items. A 12-metre container takes pipes, profiles, boats and trailers.
- A roomy container home. A 40ft high cube has room for separate sleeping and living areas and a bathroom.
- Business storage. One long space is handy when goods sit on shelving and you need a lot of room at once.
One 40ft or two 20ft?
Two 20ft containers give almost the same volume as one 40ft, but they have two sets of doors and can be placed separately - one for tools, one for stock, for example. Two smaller containers also fit where a 12-metre one will not. A single 40ft, on the other hand, is one continuous space that suits long items and shelving, and it only needs to be placed once. The quote shows the exact price difference - feel free to ask for both options.
Check your site before ordering
- Measure the free area: about 7 m long for a 20ft, about 13 m for a 40ft.
- Check that the crane truck can get in: gate, road width, trees and power lines.
- Prepare a level, firm base - see container foundation and delivery.
- Leave space in front of the doors so they open fully.
In short
If you have less to store or a tight site, choose a 20ft container. If you need lots of space in one place or room for long items, choose a 40ft container. All measurements are in our shipping container dimensions guide, and containers in stock are under Containers in stock.
Still not sure? Call +372 505 46 14 or email sales@cway.ee - we will help you pick the right size and work out the delivery price.