Choosing the Right Size Shipping Container For Your Needs

One of the most important factors in choosing the right shipping container for your needs is size. Shipping container size has a direct impact on how you can use your unit and its portability. 

Selecting the right size container can help save you money, space and time in the long term. To help you choose an appropriate size and understand just how important this decision is, we’ve put together this complete guide to shipping container sizes. 

Read on to learn more or to discuss your needs with an expert, call our team on 0333 577 3191.  

Standard Shipping Container Sizes Explained

Shipping containers come in a range of standard sizes including 10ft, 20ft and 40ft. These sizes are set by the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO). Most of the dimensions remain the same from size to size, with only the length changing. Standard shipping containers are 8ft wide by 8ft 6inches high. 

Standardisation of sizes is vital to ensure that lifting equipment, vehicles and storage facilities can be built to the correct dimensions. These standards apply internationally, and help keep costs down by making sure that containers can be consistently stacked and transported without wasted space. 

10ft Shipping Container Size

External – 10’ L x 8’ W x 8’ 6” H

Internal ~ 9’ 4” L x 7’ 8” W x 7’ 9” H 

10ft shipping containers are some of the most compact units available. They’re perfect for a range of applications, including: 

• Secure storage – keep vital tools and equipment safe while occupying a minimal footprint 
• Site offices – these containers can easily be converted into small site offices 
• Welfare units – provide much needed welfare facilities on your site such as toilets, changing rooms and more 
• Retail and pop up shops – modest dimensions make 10ft containers perfect for use as mobile retail units and pop up shops 
• Workshops and plant rooms – equip your container with everything you need to serve as a space-friendly workshop or plant room 
• Garden rooms and domestic storage – create new space in your garden with a summerhouse or domestic storage unit 
• Events and exhibitions – 10ft containers are perfect for events and exhibitions, and can be transformed into everything from storage to guest facilities 
• Modular buildings – combine units to create flexible modular homes  

20ft Shipping Container Size

External – 20’ L x 8’ W x 8’ 6” H 

Internal ~ 19’ 3” L x 7’ 7” W x 7’ 9” H 

With a 20ft shipping container, you get twice the internal size of a 10ft container, giving you more capacity for whatever you need. With this extra space, 20ft containers are ideal for a range of uses: 

• Commercial self-storage – businesses of all kinds can easily store larger equipment, materials, tools and other assets 
• Logistics and freight – 20ft containers are a frequently used standard size for international shipping and freight 
• Forklift accessible storage – these shipping containers are large enough to allow forklift access, making them great for storing palletised goods
• Large site offices and welfare cabins – expansive internal dimensions allow for more comfortable site accommodations 
• Spacious modular buildings – 20ft containers are one of the most common choices for modular buildings 

40ft Shipping Container Size

External – 40’ x 8’ x 8’ 6” 

Internal ~ 39’ 5” x 7’ 8” x 7’ 9” 

40ft shipping containers are some of the largest available, giving you maximum internal space for almost any application: 

• Bulk shipping – 40ft containers are perfect for shipping large volumes of goods overseas without the need to separate items over multiple containers 
• High capacity storage – thanks to a vast internal space, 40ft containers make ideal storage units for all kinds of items 
• Large modular buildings – for those constructing larger modular properties, 40ft containers can reduce the number of joints or seams in the outside of your home, giving a neater aesthetic 
• Long or oversized storage – with almost 40ft to play with, you can easily store large, long or awkwardly sized items 
• Full scale workshops and production spaces – create the perfect workshop or production space complete with all the equipment and tooling you could need 

Why Shipping Container Size Matters

Selecting the right shipping container size is no less important than choosing the right size premises for your business, or even finding a home with enough space for your family. 

Different container sizes allow for varying applications, and each size comes at a different price point. It’s vital that you choose a container that gives you enough space for your particular use case, while also considering possible future growth or expansion. 

On the other hand, going too far and opting for a container that’s too large could mean you spend more money than necessary. A larger container also requires more space, which could cost you more in the long run. 

How to Choose the Right Shipping Container Size

When it comes to making your decision, there are a range of factors to consider that can help you narrow down your options. The right size for you will depend on your individual requirements, and there is no one-size-fits-all solution. 

It’s worth remembering that shipping containers are an investment, and getting it right can pay off, but choosing the wrong one could cost you more than necessary. 

Purpose and Intended Use

Arguably the most important factor to consider is what you intend to use your shipping container for. For example, if you just need a little extra storage for a few chairs and tables at a restaurant, then a 10ft container may be more than enough. However, if you need a large site cabin or are building a modular home, then a 20ft or 40ft container might be more suitable. 

Available Space and Site Access

Another key facet to evaluate is how much space you have available at your site, as well as how easy it is to access. In some cases, you may be naturally limited in the shipping container size you can choose by the layout or scale of your property. Additionally, if your site is hard to access, delivering a larger container may prove challenging or costly. 

Budget and Cost Considerations

Finally, you’ll have to decide how much you can afford to spend on your shipping container. Larger containers give you more space but come at a higher cost and will be more expensive to maintain. It’s important to select a container that matches your budget. But you should also weigh up how your needs are likely to evolve in the near future, and whether it might be worth investing in a larger container now to save money in the long term. 

Why Choose KH Containers

KH Containers is one of the UK’s premier choices for a range of shipping container sizes. We source and supply a range of popular ISO-standardised sizes, including 10ft, 20ft and 40ft, as well as a selection of more specialised container types such as high cube or side opening units. 

Choose from new or used containers and enjoy outstanding service, quick delivery across the UK and our price match guarantee. For a free quote, just call us now on 0333 577 3191, email us at henry@khcontainers.co.uk or fill out our contact form.