External dimensions
6.06 × 2.44 × 2.59 m
Length × width × height, rounded. Also allow space for the doors and delivery.
Purchase · New & used
20ft containers for sale: sizes, condition and prices
Compare new, one-trip and used 20-foot shipping containers. Check dimensions and condition, then request a total including VAT, delivery and offloading to your postcode.
- External length
- 6.06 m
- Internal floor area (example)
- ≈ 13.9 m²
- Internal volume (example)
- ≈ 33.2 m³
- Tare weight (example)
- ≈ 2.35 t
Dimensions: 6.058 × 2.438 × 2.591 m external and 5.900 × 2.352 × 2.395 m internal on the example model (length × width × height), i.e. approximately 13.9 m² of internal floor area and 33.2 m³. See the table
20ft prices: See listed shop prices for specified models, including and excluding VAT. Delivery and offloading require a quotation for your postcode. See prices and models
Compare the delivered price to your site.
The departure depot and offloading method affect the total. A single request allows you to compare offers on the same basis.
- Independent supplier matching service
- The supplier directory does not sell containers
- Free and without obligation
Dimensions of a 20ft container: external, internal, m² and m³
To work out whether it is suitable, check the external footprint, the space inside, the door opening and the weight to be handled. The figures below relate to a standard 20ft container, also called a DRY container. The external dimensions are those of the standardised format; the internal dimensions, doors and weights describe one example model per column.
| Reference | 20ft standard (dry) | 20ft High Cube |
|---|---|---|
| External length | 6.058 m | 6.05 m |
| External width | 2.438 m | 2.43 m |
| External height | 2.591 m | 2.89 m |
| Internal length | 5.900 m | 5.89 m |
| Internal width | 2.352 m | 2.35 m |
| Internal height | 2.395 m | 2.69 m |
| Door opening width | 2.340 m | 2.34 m |
| Door opening height | 2.292 m | 2.58 m |
| Stated internal volume | 33.2 m³ | 37.40 m³ |
| Calculated internal floor area | Approximately 13.9 m² | 13.86 m² (stated area) |
| Tare weight | 2,350 kg | 2,340 kg |
| Maximum payload | 28,130 kg | Not published: available on request |
| Maximum gross mass | 30,480 kg | Not published: available on request |
Standard: external dimensions of the standardised format, internal dimensions and weights according to a shipping line's specification sheet. High Cube: public specification sheet from a seller, recorded on . Specifications vary by manufacturer: ask for the specification sheet of the unit offered.
Gross weight: The maximum gross mass published for the table example is 30 480 kg. ISO 668 allows up to 36 000 kg for this series of containers: this is a ceiling, not the capacity of a particular 20ft container. The CSC plate of the unit offered is authoritative.
- Tare weight
- The weight of the empty container. It matters for delivery and lifting.
- Maximum payload
- What can be loaded inside: maximum gross weight minus the unit’s tare weight.
- Maximum gross mass
- The container and its load combined. The permitted value for the unit is shown on its CSC plate.
Internal dimensions
5.900 × 2.352 × 2.395 m
Length × width × height on the example model. Internal measurements vary by manufacturer.
Floor area in m² and volume in m³
≈ 13.9 m² · 33.2 m³
Calculated internal floor area and stated internal volume for the example model. Shelving, securing and walkways reduce the space available for your goods.
Door opening
≈ 2.34 × 2.29 m
Width × height on the example model. Measure your load and confirm the clearance on the unit offered.
20ft standard, High Cube or 40ft?
Standard: approximately 33.2 m³To consider if the volume and door height are sufficient for your equipment.
High Cube: approximately 37.4 m³Same footprint, approximately 30 cm more height. Useful if your load makes use of this additional space.
40ft: 12.19 m longTo consider if the 20ft is too short or too small. Check the available space for delivery.
High Cube: volume stated for a single model, to be confirmed according to the unit offered.
How many pallets can be loaded?
A suitable loading plan allows up to 11 Euro pallets of 800 × 1,200 mm to be placed on the floor of a 20ft container in a single layer. Overhanging goods, bracing, weight and layout can reduce this number. For transport, have the planned loading approved by the haulier.
Model examples, floor-area calculation and usable volumeCheck which model each figure describes and allow for internal obstacles when loading or converting.ExpandCollapse
The standard model uses a Hapag-Lloyd fleet example for its interior, doors, volume and weights. The external dimensions are the Textainer 20ft standard dimensions, 6,058 × 2,438 × 2,591 mm; other Textainer specifications are not mixed into the table. Actual specifications vary by manufacturer.
The standard internal floor area is 5.900 m × 2.352 m = 13.8768 m², rounded to 13.9 m². This geometric area does not deduct aisles, racking or fittings.
The 20ft High Cube is a single CAPSA Container model from a French supplier, recorded on , not evidence of UK stock. Its payload and gross weight are unpublished. Its product description gives an internal height of 2,676 mm while its table gives 2.69 m: confirm the actual unit before relying on either figure.
| Obstacle | What it is | What to bear in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Corner posts and corner castings | Corner posts and corner fittings can intrude into the loading space | The usable volume is not a cuboid: the corners are taken up |
| Lashing rings and lashing bars | Securing points and fittings vary by container construction | Check their location, condition and permitted loads before planning cargo securing |
| Door sill | The threshold profile and height depend on the unit | Measure the threshold and clear door opening; internal height alone does not establish loading access |
| Floor | Floor materials, thickness, crossmembers and permitted loads depend on the unit | The stated height is measured above the finished floor |
| Wall corrugation | Corrugated walls and local reinforcements affect the clear space | Ask for the minimum clear width and local obstructions at the height needed by your load |
These are features to inspect, not universal construction dimensions. ISO 1496-1 covers general cargo container specifications and testing; obtain the actual unit’s drawings and loading limits before a loading or conversion design.
Pricing tailored to your project in the UK
The delivered total depends on the size, condition, depot, transport, offloading and any conversion work. Our shop lists base-container sale prices where available; those prices do not include a completed conversion or site installation. Request an itemised quotation showing applicable VAT and every required charge.
Which 20ft container should you buy?
Same length, different height, different access or different condition: compare the models before requesting a quote. Example prices are only displayed if they are dated.
Scroll to see all formats.
Scale
1.75 m
length 2.99 m · height 2.59 m
20ft standardthis page
length 6.06 m · height 2.59 m
length 6.05 m · height 2.89 m
length 12.19 m · height 2.59 m
length 12.19 m · height 2.90 m
20ft High Cube
Ext. height 2.89 m · ≈ 37.4 m³
Same footprint, greater height. Useful if your equipment is taller than the standard door.
20ft Open Side
Side opening ≈ 5.90 m · ≈ 30 m³
Load access via the long side. The clear opening height must be requested.
New / one-trip
Same dimensions as standard · condition to be checked
Only one transport since manufacture. Handling marks may remain.
Used 20ft
Same dimensions · condition varies by unit
Watertightness, floor, doors and repairs: what to check before buying.
Converted 20ft
Insulation and openings reduce the usable space
Office, workshop or premises: the conversion work is priced separately from the container.
For hire
Refrigerated 20ft
Refrigeration unit · connection required
For perishable goods or sensitive products. Power, maintenance and return are to be detailed.
10ft
External length 2.99 m · approx. 16 m³
About half the length of a 20ft container, for a limited space.
40ft
External length 12.19 m · approx. 67.7 m³
Approximately twice the length. Check the space for delivering a large container.
All sizes and their uses: the shipping container guide.
New, one-trip or used: which should you choose?
Start from your intended use and the acceptable level of wear. The photos of the container on offer matter as much as its trade name.
To prioritise budget
A used container
To consider for storing equipment if signs of use are acceptable. Ask for details on watertightness, the condition of the floor, doors and repairs.
Ask for: recent photos of the unit offered.
To prioritise condition and appearance
A one-trip container
Marketed as new after its first journey from manufacture. It may show handling marks: ask to confirm the colour, condition and included fittings.
Ask for: photos and the specification of the model sold.
Understanding used container descriptionsWind and watertight, cargo worthy, refurbished or sold as-is: the points to have the seller confirm.ExpandCollapse
- Wind and watertight
- Term used to describe wind and watertightness. Have the seller confirm what is checked and included in the sale.
- Cargo worthy
- Term used for a container fit for carrying cargo. For export, have the unit, its documents and its acceptance by your haulier validated.
- Refurbished
- Ask for the list of works: repainting only, floor repair, seals or structural work.
- Sold as-is
- Have the defects listed and the repairs costed before comparing its price with that of a unit that has been refurbished.
Have you found a private seller listing?
Ask for photos of the interior, floor, doors and markings, as well as the collection location. Check the seller’s identity and the condition of the unit. Add transport and offloading to your budget if they still need to be arranged.
Warning signs in a listingMissing photos, unreadable markings, CSC plate, price, inspection and transport: what to ask before paying.ExpandCollapse
| Warning sign | What to check | What to ask for |
|---|---|---|
| No photos of the inside or the roof | The roof, walls and floor still need to be checked | Dated photos of the inside with doors closed, and of the roof |
| No readable container number | Missing or repainted identification makes it harder to match the unit to its records; check the seller’s right to sell separately | The full code and matching records; the check digit detects transcription errors, not ownership |
| CSC plate or current examination details missing | CSC concerns international container transport. Static storage still needs separate checks for siting, handling, condition and intended use | Legible plate details and applicable examination records; confirm acceptance with the carrier |
| Price well below market value | Check the condition, seller and omitted charges; a low price alone does not establish fraud | Verify the seller, actual unit and written terms before paying; consider an independent inspection and payment protection |
| Refusal to allow a viewing | Prevents you from checking the container before paying | An on-site appointment before payment |
| Transport “at your expense” without specified access | Clarify who arranges transport, the collection and delivery access, and who receives each payment | The collection address and an itemised written delivery agreement, whether arranged by you or the seller |
For international transport, check CSC approval and current examination arrangements with the owner and carrier. Rights in a genuine private sale are narrower than when buying from a trader: check the seller's right to sell, the agreed description, condition and written terms before paying.
What can you do with a 20ft container?
The items to be stored and how often you need access will help you choose the equipment that will genuinely be useful.
CASE 1
Keep your belongings safe under cover during building work
Furniture, boxes and garden tools can stay close to the house during a renovation or a move. Leave an access aisle, distribute loads appropriately and check floor loading for heavy items. Have the lorry access and ground checked before ordering.
Equipment to consider
Pallets or duckboards on the floor, shelving, moisture absorbers and a suitable padlock.
CASE 2
Secure site equipment
Tools, consumables and small machines stay on site, locked up in the evening. Place the container out of the way of plant and where the lorry can collect it again. Depending on the length of the site, compare buying and hiring.
Equipment to consider
Sturdy shelving, wall hooks, reinforced locking and self-contained lighting.
CASE 3
Expand a shop’s stockroom
Seasonal stock, packaging, furniture or event equipment free up the back of the shop. Sort items by how often they are taken out and keep fast-moving items near the doors. Watch humidity if you store cardboard boxes or textiles.
Equipment to consider
Labelled shelving, a ramp for a sack truck or pallet truck, ventilation or dehumidification depending on the contents.
CASE 4
Start with a 20ft container for a conversion project
Workshop, office or technical room: insulation, openings and services should be decided before purchase, as they reduce usable space. Get the work quoted separately. Ask your local planning authority before installation and check building regulations separately where required.
Equipment to consider
Insulation, door and window openings, electrical installation, ventilation and floor covering.
A workshop, office or premises? Plan a container conversion project.
Delivery and installation
The postcode locates your project. The access conditions then allow the supplier to propose suitable transport and offloading.
Address and preferred date
Specify the town, the installation site and your flexibility on the date.
Site access
Report the gate width, bends, slopes and overhead obstructions.
Siting location
Give the distance between where the lorry can park and the planned location. A few photos help to prepare for delivery.
Offloading
State whether you have suitable equipment on site or whether it should be arranged by the seller. Have the supports and ground preparation checked.
Preparing the site
Provide a flat, stable and load-bearing ground, clear in front of the doors so they can be opened fully. The type of supports and levelling depend on the ground and intended use: have them approved by the supplier before delivery. Consider water drainage around the container.
A nearby seller, or a closer depot? The company’s address is not necessarily the container’s location. Ask for its departure point to compare the delivered cost. View companies for a 20ft.
Planning permission: check your project
External footprint of a 20ft: approximately 14.8 m². This is a dimensional estimate, not a permission threshold.
Establish the site's lawful use and the proposed container use before delivery. Show its siting, height, duration, foundations or connections, access and effects on neighbours. Storage, an incidental garden room and an independent home are different proposals. Planning and technical building approval are separate; the applicable rules come from the UK nation where the site is located. Size, mobility and a shipping certificate alone do not establish an exemption.
- England: planning
Identify both the building work and any material change of use. Class E incidental garden-building rights do not authorise a new self-contained home. A dwelling needs a separate building-regulations design covering structure, fire, energy, ventilation and access.
Building regulations - Wales: planning
Apply Welsh planning and building guidance. Incidental outbuilding allowances do not automatically permit a separate dwelling. For a new home, address Welsh fire-suppression provisions and investigate whether the drainage proposal needs separate SuDS approval.
Building regulations - Scotland: planning
Planning and the building warrant are separate. A new home needs a warrant before construction, a design under the Scottish Domestic Technical Handbook, and acceptance of its completion certificate before occupation unless temporary occupation is authorised.
Building warrants - Northern Ireland: planning
A separate garden residence requires a planning application. Use district council building control and Northern Ireland's Technical Booklets for a dwelling: D for structure, E for fire, F1 for energy, K for ventilation and R for access.
Building regulations
Moisture and securityCondensation, moisture absorbers, ventilation, locking and alarms: what the technical references say, with their limitations.ExpandCollapse
| Measure | How it works | Its limitation |
|---|---|---|
| High and low level ventilation grilles | Ventilation can exchange moist internal air with outside air, depending on openings, wind and temperature differences | If the outside air is warmer and more humid than inside, it draws moisture in and makes the problem worse |
| Moisture absorbers | Desiccants absorb moisture up to a limited capacity; follow the manufacturer’s positioning and handling instructions | Ask the desiccant supplier to size the product for the goods, moisture load, storage period and ventilation, and specify inspection and replacement intervals |
| Insulation | A correctly designed insulation system can help control surface temperatures and condensation risk; insulation alone does not guarantee dry conditions | BS EN ISO 13788 provides simplified methods for assessing condensation risk in building components; a designer must assess the proposed wall and roof construction |
| Protection for moisture-sensitive goods | Suitable packaging or covers may reduce damage from droplets; specify protection for the goods and storage conditions | Covers do not remove moisture and can trap it. Avoid relying on loose paper or film as the sole condensation control |
These are planning considerations, not a guarantee of dry storage or a building specification. Assess moisture in the goods, temperature changes, ventilation and the actual use before selecting controls.
| Device | Protects against | Its limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Shackle protector | Masks the padlock shackle: bolt croppers, angle grinder, lever | Check what the product's test or certification covers; a lock rating does not establish the resistance of the whole container |
| Anti-break-in bar | Against levering: it clamps the locking rods of both doors | Ask how the locking bar, its fixings and the container doors have been assessed together; do not infer whole-container resistance from a lock rating |
| Alarm | BS EN 50131-1 sets requirements for intrusion and hold-up alarm systems, with security grades and environmental classes | Ask the installer to confirm the environmental class, operating temperature and suitability for an unheated container and any exposed components |
Check the resistance of the whole assembly: doors, fittings, lock and protections. A commercial security designation does not establish a resistance level
Compare your 20ft container delivered and offloaded.
Size, condition and postcode: prepare a single request to compare the container, its transport and offloading. Free and without obligation.
How does the comparison work?
Step 1
Specify your container
Container type, condition, purchase or hire and quantity.
Step 2
Submit one request
Your requirements and postcode, entered only once.
Step 3
Compare the delivered price
Container, transport and offloading, on the same basis.
Free and with no obligation. The supplier directory does not sell containers. Your request goes through our comparison service: the companies listed in the directory are not necessarily the recipients of your request. Professionals may pay for the introduction service (How the service works).
Prepare my requestCompanies in the directory for a 20ft container
This selection reproduces the information published by the companies in the directory. Directory order, not a ranking; it does not guarantee stock or receipt of your request.
No listing yet describes all these criteria for this mode. You can consult the directory or specify your project in the form; the absence of a corresponding listing does not describe market stock.
Browse the directory with these criteriaFrequently asked questions about 20ft containers
What is the price of a new or used 20ft container?
See the shop for the base price of each specified 20ft model, including and excluding VAT. Some models require a quotation. Ask for confirmation of the actual unit and a total covering VAT, delivery and offloading to your postcode; a guide price is not a market average.
What are the internal and external dimensions of a 20ft container?
A 20ft container (also written 20-foot container) counts as 1 TEU, the unit “twenty-foot equivalent unit” (TEU in English): its length of 6.058 m equals approximately 20 feet. Externally, the standard 20ft container measures 6.058 × 2.438 × 2.591 m (length × width × height). Internally, the example model offers 5.900 × 2.352 × 2.395 m, i.e. approximately 13.9 m² of internal floor area and 33.2 m³. Internal dimensions vary by manufacturer: ask for the specification sheet of the unit offered.
How much does an empty 20ft container weigh and what load can it carry?
The example model has a tare weight of 2,350 kg. It accepts 28,130 kg payload, for a maximum gross weight of 30,480 kg. ISO 668 permits up to 36 000 kg for this series: that is a ceiling, not the capacity of a given 20ft container. The CSC plate of the unit offered is authoritative.
What are the door opening dimensions of a 20ft container?
On the example model, the door opening measures 2.340 m wide and 2.292 m high, i.e. 10.3 cm less than the internal height. The High Cube given as an example states a door height of 2.58 m. Measure your load, including packaging and support, and have the opening confirmed on the unit offered.
How many Euro pallets fit in a 20ft container?
Up to 11 Euro pallets of 800 × 1,200 mm on the floor, in a single layer, according to a reference loading plan. Blocking, overhang and weight may reduce this number. No figure is given here for 1,000 × 1,200 mm pallets. For transport, have the intended loading validated by the haulier.
Are transport and offloading included?
The purchase price examples on this page exclude delivery, or do not state whether it is included. Depending on the example, offloading is extra or remains to be confirmed. Request a quote that shows the container, transport, offloading and the total including VAT separately.
What should a 20ft container be placed on?
On flat, stable, load-bearing ground, clear in front of the doors. The type of supports and shims depends on your ground and use: have them approved by the supplier before delivery. Also allow for water drainage and room to manoeuvre the lorry.
What is the delivery lead time for a 20ft container?
It depends on the depot where the unit is located, available stock, the haulier and access to your site. No lead time is given here: ask in each quote for a delivery date, and what it assumes (confirmed availability, time slot, validated access).
Can you choose the colour of a 20ft container?
Depending on condition and stock, the seller offers an existing shade or a repaint. If colour matters, provide the RAL reference and ask for written confirmation, along with the possible cost of painting. The one-trip container guide details the points to check on appearance.
How much does it cost to hire a 20ft container?
Ask for a monthly hire rate, with delivery, offloading, collection and return conditions. Compare the total cost over the planned period.
Do you need planning permission to place a 20ft container in your garden?
Establish the site's lawful use and the proposed container use before delivery. Show its siting, height, duration, foundations or connections, access and effects on neighbours. Storage, an incidental garden room and an independent home are different proposals. Planning and technical building approval are separate; the applicable rules come from the UK nation where the site is located. Size, mobility and a shipping certificate alone do not establish an exemption.
Useful guides
- Transport and offloadingPrepare access and compare costs up to the delivery location.
- Hire or buy?Compare hire and purchase over the same period, including hire charges and return transport.
- Request a hire quote for a 20ft containerThe 20ft size is preselected; enter the hire period and postcode.
- Buy usedPrepare your questions about doors, flooring, watertightness and overall condition.
Updated on · Dimensions and weights describe reference models, not the specification of a reserved unit. The shop shows our base-container sale prices; any separately identified supplier examples are research. Delivery and offloading are quoted for your postcode.
Prepare a more useful quote request
Check these details before comparing equipment, delivery and services.