What Fits in a 20ft Container? Pallets, Cars & Household Loads

A 20ft container is the most popular size for a reason: it holds a lot more than people expect while still fitting on most driveways and job sites. But "a lot" doesn't help when you're deciding whether your stuff will fit.

Here's what actually goes inside, in pallets, rooms, vehicles and equipment, so you can choose with confidence before you look at a 20ft shipping container for sale.

20ft container interior dimensions

Exact figures vary a little by manufacturer, but a typical standard 20ft container measures:

The number that catches people out is the door opening: anything taller than about 7′ 6″ won't go through the doors of a standard box, even though the inside is slightly taller.

Pallets

On the floor in a single layer, a 20ft container holds about:

• 10 standard U.S. pallets (48″ × 40″)
• 11 Euro pallets (1200 × 800 mm)

If your pallets are low and light, you can stack them two high and roughly double that. Leave room for a pallet jack to maneuver near the doors.

Household goods

As a rough guide, a 20ft container holds the contents of a one- to two-bedroom home. That's typically:

• Beds and mattresses for two bedrooms
• A sofa, armchair and coffee table
• A dining table and chairs
• A washer, dryer and fridge
• Around 50–80 moving boxes
• Garden furniture, bikes and tools

The more carefully you pack, using the full height and filling gaps, the more fits. Disassemble beds and tables, stand mattresses on their sides and stack boxes heavy-to-light.

Vehicles

A 20ft container is long enough for most cars and small trucks. Width is the limit: the door opening is about 7′ 8″ wide, so measure your vehicle's width including mirrors. You'll usually have little room to open a car door once it's inside, so you may need to climb out through a window or park it close to the doors.

It also suits:

• Motorcycles, several at once with wheel chocks
• ATVs and side-by-sides
• Riding mowers and small tractors
• Boats on trailers, if the boat and trailer fit the door height

Equipment and job-site storage

Contractors use 20ft containers for:

• Hand and power tools, with shelving down one wall
• Generators, compressors and pressure washers
• Building materials such as lumber, drywall and flooring
• Scaffolding and ladders (lay long ladders on the floor)

For a busy site, add shelving and a workbench to turn the container into a lockable tool room. See 20ft custom builds.

Weight limits to plan around

A container can carry far more weight than most people will ever load for storage. A standard 20ft container weighs about 4,900 lb empty and is usually rated for a maximum gross weight of around 67,200 lb, so it can take more than 60,000 lb of cargo when stationary.

Two cautions:

• Floors have point-load limits. Very heavy machinery on small feet or wheels can damage the floor, so spread heavy loads.
• Moving a loaded container is different. Road weight limits mean a loaded container usually can't be moved with anything close to its rated payload. Load it where it will stay.

Packing tips

1. Heavy items first, against the far wall and spread evenly.
2. Use the height: shelving or stacked boxes make use of the space above waist height.
3. Leave an aisle if you'll need to reach things regularly.
4. Keep things off the floor with pallets if condensation is a concern.
5. Ventilate: vents help reduce condensation in humid climates.
6. Secure it: add a lock box to protect the padlock.

When to size up

Choose a 20ft high cube if you have tall items or plan to stack high. Choose a 40ft if you need more than about 10 pallets of floor space or the contents of a larger home, and your site has room for the longer delivery.

FAQ

How many boxes fit in a 20ft container?

Typically several hundred standard moving boxes, depending on their size and how well they're stacked. For a mixed household load, plan on the contents of a one- to two-bedroom home.

Can I fit a car in a 20ft container?

Most cars fit lengthwise. Check that the vehicle's width with mirrors is less than the roughly 7′ 8″ door opening, and expect little room to open the doors inside.

How many pallets fit in a 20ft container?

About 10 standard U.S. pallets or 11 Euro pallets in a single layer on the floor.

Is a 20ft container big enough for a house move?

For a one- to two-bedroom home, usually yes. For three bedrooms or more, a 40ft container is safer.