Choosing between a 20ft and 40ft shipping container comes down to how much space you need and where you plan to put it. Here are the facts on both sizes.
Dimensions at a Glance
20ft Container
- Exterior: 20′ long × 8′ wide × 8’6″ tall
- Interior: 19’4″ × 7’9″ × 7’10”
- Capacity: 1,172 cubic feet (~150 sq ft of floor space)
- Empty weight: ~5,070 lbs
- Payload capacity: ~47,840 lbs
A 20ft container fits 10–11 standard pallets in a single layer. In practical terms, it holds roughly the contents of a 1–2 bedroom apartment, a single car, or an ATV with room to spare. This is the most common size for residential storage, small job sites, and farm use.
40ft Container
- Exterior: 40′ long × 8′ wide × 8’6″ tall
- Interior: 39’5″ × 7’9″ × 7’10”
- Capacity: 2,390 cubic feet (~300 sq ft of floor space)
- Empty weight: ~8,265 lbs
- Payload capacity: ~58,935 lbs
A 40ft container holds 20–22 standard pallets, the contents of a 3–4 bedroom house, or up to 3 compact cars. It is the standard for construction sites, large-scale storage, and commercial use.
Which Size Should You Choose?
If space on your property is limited or you need storage for a smaller project, the 20ft is the practical choice. If you need maximum capacity and have room for a 40-foot unit, the 40ft gives you double the space. Both sizes are available in new one-trip and used grades.
Both sizes are delivered on a tilt-bed trailer to Houston, Dallas, El Paso, and surrounding areas — typically within 3–7 business days. Call (214) 399-9272 for availability and a free quote, or request a quote online.