20ft vs. 40ft Container: Which Size Should You Buy?

The 20ft and 40ft containers are the two standard sizes, and choosing between them is one of the first questions buyers face. Should you buy 20ft shipping container space, or go straight to a 40ft? The 40ft gives you twice the room for well under twice the price, but it needs a lot more space to deliver.

Here's how they compare on space, cost, delivery and use, so you can buy 20ft shipping container units or step up to a 40ft with confidence.

At a glance

Both come in high cube versions, a foot taller.

Space

A 40ft has just over twice the floor area and volume of a 20ft. If you're on the fence, think about what you'll need in a year, not just today. Storage needs tend to grow.

Price per square foot

A 40ft container usually costs well under twice as much as a 20ft, so you pay less per square foot. If you have the room and will use the space, the 40ft is often the better value.

That said, if you only need 20ft worth of space, a 40ft isn't a saving at all. You'd be paying for room you don't use.

Delivery and site space

This is often the deciding factor. Containers usually arrive on a tilt-bed truck that slides them off as it pulls forward, so the driver needs a long, straight run:

• 20ft: roughly 60–75 feet of straight approach
• 40ft: roughly 100–120 feet of straight approach

Both need firm ground, about 10–12 feet of width and plenty of overhead clearance. Many driveways and backyards can take a 20ft but not a 40ft. Measure before you decide.

Weight and moving it later

A 40ft weighs nearly twice as much empty and needs bigger equipment to move. If you might relocate the container, a 20ft is easier and cheaper to move.

Which jobs suit each size

20ft is best for

• Home storage during a move or renovation
• Job-site tool and material storage
• Small business overflow stock
• Driveways, tight yards and urban sites
• Small offices and workshops

40ft is best for

• Warehouse and retail overflow
• Farm equipment and large inventories
• Moving a three- to four-bedroom home
• Multi-room offices and container homes
• Sites with plenty of space and long access

Two 20s or one 40?

Two 20ft containers give you the same floor space as one 40ft, with some advantages:

• Two sets of doors, so you can reach both ends of your storage
• Easier to place on sites that can't take a 40ft delivery
• Separate storage for different uses or people
• Easier to move one at a time later

The downsides: they usually cost more in total than one 40ft, and need two deliveries.

Measure your site in five minutes

Before you decide, grab a tape measure or a measuring app and check:

1. The footprint. Mark out the container's size plus about 3 feet on each side, and more at the door end so the doors can swing fully open.
2. The approach. From the drop spot, measure straight back along the route the truck will take: roughly 60–75 feet for a 20ft, 100–120 feet for a 40ft.
3. The width. The approach needs to be about 10–12 feet wide, including gates.
4. Overhead. Look up along the whole route for wires, branches, roofs and signs.
5. The ground. Is it firm enough for a heavy truck after rain? Watch for soft lawns, septic tanks and culverts.
6. Turns. Long trucks need wide turns. Note any tight corners on the way in.

Take a few photos and send them with your quote request. It's the easiest way to avoid a wasted delivery trip.

Quick decision guide

• Limited site space or access? 20ft.
• Need more than about 10 pallets of floor space? 40ft.
• Planning a conversion with several rooms? 40ft, usually a high cube.
• Might move it later? 20ft.
• Want the lowest cost per square foot and have the room? 40ft.

Compare 20ft conex box and 40ft conex box options.

FAQ

Is a 40ft container twice the price of a 20ft?

Usually not. A 40ft typically costs well under twice as much, so it's cheaper per square foot.

Will a 40ft container fit in my driveway?

Often not. Besides the 40ft length, the truck needs a long, straight approach to slide it off. Measure carefully and describe your site when you request a quote.

Which size is more popular?

The 20ft, because it fits more sites and suits most storage needs.

Can I put two 20ft containers side by side?

Yes, as long as the truck can reach each spot. Leave enough room between them to open the doors.