Dimensions of a 20-foot shipping container for storage
If you are looking for a reliable and spacious solution for storing material, machinery or goods, the 20-foot shipping container is the most common choice on the market. Its popularity stems from the optimal ratio between internal space, mobility and price. However, before you acquire or rent a container, you need to know the exact dimensions – not only the external ones, but above all the internal ones, which determine how much will actually fit inside.
In this article we will analyse in detail all the dimensions of a 20-foot shipping container for storage, from the external parameters through the internal usable space to the load capacity and pallet capacity. We will also look at the practical aspects that you must not overlook when planning storage space.
Standard Dimensions of a 20-foot Shipping Container
Shipping containers are manufactured according to international ISO standards, which means that dimensions are practically identical across manufacturers. Minor deviations in the order of millimetres are permissible, but for storage space planning you can disregard them.
External Dimensions
External dimensions are crucial for planning the location where you will place the container. They determine how much land area you must reserve and whether the container will fit there even with handling space.
| Parameter | Metric units | Imperial units |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 6 058 mm (6.06 m) | 20 feet |
| Width | 2 438 mm (2.44 m) | 8 feet |
| Height | 2 591 mm (2.59 m) | 8 feet 6 inches |
Practical note: When planning the placement, allow for a reserve of at least 1 metre on the door side for convenient opening and handling of the load. The total required area including handling space is therefore at least approx. 7 × 3.5 metres.
Internal Dimensions (Usable Space)
Internal dimensions are absolutely essential for storage – they determine what will actually fit into the container. Due to the thickness of the Corten steel walls and the corrugated profile of the sheet metal, the internal space is somewhat smaller than the external outline.
| Parameter | Dimension |
|---|---|
| Internal length | 5 898 mm (5.90 m) |
| Internal width | 2 352 mm (2.35 m) |
| Internal height | 2 393 mm (2.39 m) |
The difference between the external and internal length is approximately 16 cm, roughly 8.6 cm is lost on the width and 20 cm on the height. If you plan to store taller items, the internal height tends to be the limiting factor.
Door Opening Dimensions
The door opening is a critical parameter especially when you need to get larger items into the container – machinery, pallets with tall loads or building material.
| Parameter | Dimension |
|---|---|
| Door width | 2 340 mm (2.34 m) |
| Door height | 2 280 mm (2.28 m) |
Note that the door opening height is 11 cm lower than the internal height of the container. This means that even if an item fits into the container in terms of height, you must first get it through the door. When loading with a forklift, this limitation must therefore be taken into account.
Volume and Floor Area
Two figures are key for planning storage capacity: total volume and floor area.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Internal volume | 33.2 m³ |
| Floor area | 13.9 m² |
The internal volume of 33.2 m³ represents the theoretical maximum. In practice, however, count on a realistically usable volume of around 30 m³ – the loss is caused by uneven walls, corner posts and above all the need to leave a handling aisle if you fill the container progressively.
The floor of a shipping container is made of water-resistant plywood approximately 28 mm thick, impregnated against pests and mould. For storing heavy items the floor is sufficiently strong, but for point loads (e.g. the legs of a heavy machine) we recommend using load-spreading boards.
Load Capacity and Weight Parameters
When storing heavy materials or machinery, load capacity is just as important as the dimensions themselves.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Tare weight | 2 200–2 400 kg |
| Maximum payload | 28 000 kg |
| Maximum gross weight | 30 480 kg |
Thanks to a load capacity of almost 28 tonnes, you can store even very heavy items in a 20-foot container without concern – construction machinery, metal material, industrial equipment or metallurgical products. For ordinary storage (furniture, documents, seasonal equipment) this capacity is significantly oversized, so weight limits practically do not restrict you.
Important: The maximum payload of 28 000 kg applies to a container in perfect technical condition. With older, used containers (AS IS quality) the payload may decrease as a result of corrosion or mechanical damage. Before purchasing, always verify the specific parameters with the supplier.
How Many Pallets Fit into a 20-foot Container?
For companies and warehouses, the key question is how many standardised pallets can be placed in the container. The answer depends on the type of pallet.
Euro Pallets (1 200 × 800 mm)
Standard euro pallets fit into a 20-foot container in a quantity of 11 pieces in a single layer. The optimal layout is as follows:
- 7 pallets lengthwise (with the longer side in the direction of the container length) – 7 × 1 200 mm = 8 400 mm, which comfortably fits into the internal length of 5 898 mm when rotated by 90°
- 4 pallets crosswise – they fill the space next to the pallets placed lengthwise
Exact layout: 5 pallets rotated with the longer side crosswise + 6 pallets with the shorter side crosswise, or 7 + 4 in a combined arrangement. In practice, a proven scheme is used that maximises the use of the floor area.
Industrial Pallets (1 200 × 1 000 mm)
9 pieces of these pallets fit into a 20-foot container in a single layer. The greater width of the pallet (1 000 mm compared to 800 mm for a euro pallet) means a lower total number.
| Pallet type | Dimension | Number in one layer | When stacked to a height of 2 m |
|---|---|---|---|
| Euro pallet | 1 200 × 800 mm | 11 pcs | ~33 pcs (3 layers) |
| Industrial pallet | 1 200 × 1 000 mm | 9 pcs | ~27 pcs (3 layers) |
High Cube Variant: When You Need Extra Height
A standard 20-foot container has a height of 2.59 m (external) and 2.39 m (internal). However, there is also a High Cube (HC) variant, which offers increased height.
| Parameter | Standard 20′ | 20′ High Cube |
|---|---|---|
| External height | 2 591 mm | 2 896 mm |
| Internal height | 2 393 mm | 2 698 mm |
| Internal volume | 33.2 m³ | 37.4 m³ |
| Door height | 2 280 mm | 2 585 mm |
A High Cube container provides 30 cm more in height, which is a fundamental difference if you need to store taller items or stack pallets in three or more layers. However, with 20-foot containers, High Cube variants are not as common as with 40-foot ones – if you are considering this variant, check availability with the supplier.
Comparison of a 20-foot and 40-foot Container for Storage
When choosing a storage container, you may be hesitating between the 20-foot and 40-foot variant. Here is a clear comparison:
| Parameter | 20 feet | 40 feet |
|---|---|---|
| External length | 6.06 m | 12.19 m |
| Internal length | 5.90 m | 12.03 m |
| Internal volume | 33.2 m³ | 67.6 m³ |
| Floor area | 13.9 m² | 28.3 m² |
| Tare weight | 2.3 t | 3.8 t |
| Load capacity | 28 t | 26.5 t |
| Euro pallets | 11 pcs | 25 pcs |
| Price (indicative) | From 40 000 CZK | From 60 000 CZK |
The 20-foot container is ideal for:
- Smaller companies with limited space
- Storage on a construction site
- Seasonal storage of equipment
- A mobile warehouse that is moved frequently
The 40-foot container pays off if:
- You need double the storage capacity
- You have enough space on the land
- You store bulky items (e.g. long profiles, pipes)
How to Prepare a Foundation for a 20-foot Container
The dimensions of the container themselves are only half of the success – the other half is the correct preparation of the base. A poorly prepared foundation can lead to uneven settling, corrosion of the lower part and problems with opening the doors.
Foundation Points
The container is designed to stand on four corner points (so-called corner supports – corner castings). It is precisely these points that must be firmly supported. For a 20-foot container, the corner points are spaced:
- Lengthwise: 5 853 mm (centres of the corner castings)
- Crosswise: 2 259 mm
Types of Foundations
| Type of foundation | Suitability | Indicative price | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete footings | Best | 2 000–5 000 CZK | Low |
| Lost formwork | Very good | 5 000–10 000 CZK | Medium |
| Concrete slab | Ideal | 15 000–30 000 CZK | High |
| Gravel bedding | Sufficient | 1 000–3 000 CZK | Low |
| Wooden sleepers | Provisional | 500–1 500 CZK | Low |
For storage purposes, concrete footings or gravel bedding are sufficient. It is important that the base is level, drained and that the lower part of the container has sufficient ventilation – this prevents corrosion of the floor from underneath.
Practical Tips for Storing in a Shipping Container
To conclude, here are several proven tips that will help you get the maximum out of a 20-foot container:
- Ensure ventilation – Without air circulation inside the container, condensation forms quickly. Install ventilation grilles or passive fans, ideally in opposite walls.
- Use shelving – The floor area of 13.9 m² is limited. Metal shelving allows you to use the full height of the container and multiply the storage capacity.
- Protect the floor – When storing heavy or sharp items, use protective pads. A damaged plywood floor is difficult to repair.
- Allow for thermal expansion – A steel container reaches high temperatures in summer. Store heat-sensitive items (paints, chemicals, electronics) preferably in an insulated version of the container.
- Secure the container – A standard door lock can easily be overcome. Invest in a security lock box and a quality padlock.
FAQ
What are the exact external dimensions of a 20-foot shipping container?
The external dimensions of a standard 20-foot shipping container are 6 058 mm (length) × 2 438 mm (width) × 2 591 mm (height). Converted to rounded metres, this is 6.06 × 2.44 × 2.59 metres. The permissible manufacturing tolerance is ±5 to 6 mm.
What are the internal dimensions of a 20-foot container for storage?
The internal dimensions of a 20-foot container are 5 898 mm (length) × 2 352 mm (width) × 2 393 mm (height). These dimensions determine the actually usable storage space. The internal volume is approximately 33.2 m³, the floor area 13.9 m².
How many euro pallets fit into a 20-foot container?
11 standard euro pallets measuring 1 200 × 800 mm fit into a 20-foot shipping container in a single layer. When stacked in height, the capacity can be multiplied – for example, in three layers you get a capacity of up to 33 euro pallets.
What is the load capacity of a 20-foot container for storage?
The maximum payload (useful load) of a 20-foot shipping container is approximately 28 000 kg. The tare weight of an empty container ranges between 2 200 and 2 400 kg. The maximum gross weight of a loaded container is 30 480 kg.
How do you prepare a foundation for a 20-foot container?
For a 20-foot container, four concrete footings placed under the corner points (spaced 5 853 mm lengthwise and 2 259 mm crosswise) are sufficient. Alternatively, gravel bedding, lost formwork or a concrete slab can be used. What is key is a level, drained base with sufficient ventilation of the lower part.
What is the difference between a standard 20′ container and the High Cube version?
A 20-foot High Cube container has an external height of 2 896 mm (compared to 2 591 mm for the standard) and an internal height of 2 698 mm (compared to 2 393 mm). It thus provides approximately 30 cm more height, which increases the internal volume to 37.4 m³. However, High Cube variants are less common with 20-foot containers than with 40-foot ones.
What are the door dimensions of a 20-foot container?
The door opening of a 20-foot shipping container is 2 340 mm wide and 2 280 mm high. The door opening height is approximately 11 cm lower than the internal height of the container, which is important to take into account when loading taller items.
How much does a 20-foot container for storage cost?
The price of a 20-foot shipping container for storage depends on quality and age. Used containers in AS IS quality can be obtained from 30 000 to 50 000 CZK, higher-quality pieces (Cargo Worthy) from 50 000 to 80 000 CZK. Monthly rental ranges between 2 000 and 4 000 CZK depending on the location and supplier.
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