First Things First — What size shipping container?: What Are the Standard Container Sizes?
Let’s start with the basics. There are three main industry standard container sizes that you’ll find in most rental and sales catalogues:
| Container Size | External Dimensions (L x W x H) | Internal Dimensions (L x W x H) | Approx. Capacity | Use Case |
| 20ft | 6.06m x 2.44m x 2.59m | 5.9m x 2.35m x 2.39m | ~33m³ | Storage, small business use, short-term site offices |
| 40ft | 12.19m x 2.44m x 2.59m | 12m x 2.35m x 2.39m | ~67m³ | Long-term storage, stock holding, conversions |
| 45ft HC | 13.7m x 2.44m x 2.89m | 13.5m x 2.35m x 2.69m | ~86m³ | Bulk storage, modified use, warehousing overflow |
📌 Pro Tip: Always check internal dimensions, especially if your use involves equipment, racking, or furniture.
20ft Containers – The Most Popular and Versatile
The 20ft container is the bread and butter of the shipping container world. Compact, robust, and easy to deliver with minimal space or fuss, it’s a go-to option for both commercial and domestic users.
✅ Ideal For:
- Garden and garage overflow
- Tool and plant storage
- Short-term construction site offices
- Moving household goods
🧱 Pros:
- Lower transport costs
- Easier access in tight spaces
- Strong resale value
- Can be lifted with Containerlift side loader easily, even on constrained sites
⚠️ Considerations:
- Might feel cramped for businesses with growing storage needs
- Not suitable for pallet racking unless modified
40ft Containers – Best for Long-Term or Large Volume Storage
If you’re looking to store a serious amount of stuff, a 40ft container is probably what you need. At double the internal space of a 20ft but only marginally higher in cost, it offers much better value per square foot.
✅ Ideal For:
- Builders’ merchants and equipment suppliers
- Bulk retail or e-commerce stock
- Archive and records storage
- Modified container projects (e.g. kitchens, offices, pop-ups)
🧱 Pros:
- Great space-to-price ratio
- Perfect for racking, shelving, or conversion
- Widely available in one-trip (nearly new) condition
⚠️ Considerations:
- Needs more site clearance
- Not suitable for narrow driveways or confined urban sites
- Loaded weight must be checked if contents are heavy
45ft High Cube Containers – When You Need Serious Volume
The 45ft high cube isn’t for everyone — but for high-capacity jobs where every cubic metre counts, it’s a beast. Offering more length and height than a standard 40ft, it’s often used by logistics firms or companies doing container conversions.
✅ Ideal For:
- Temporary warehousing
- Modular office buildings
- Large event equipment storage
- Extra-tall storage needs (e.g. shelving or long equipment)
🧱 Pros:
- Maximum volume
- Fits two standard UK pallets wide
- Plenty of height for modification or fit-out
⚠️ Considerations:
- Only deliverable by specific vehicles (which Containerlift can provide)
- Needs a solid site with extra clearance
- Not always in stock — lead time can apply
Modified Containers – Think Outside the (Literal) Bo
Need a container that’s part office, part storage? Or a unit with lighting, electrics, and insulation? That’s where modified containers shine.
At Containerlift, we can deliver fully modified 20ft, 30ft, 40ft or 45ft units for:
- Offices
- Canteens
- Toilets and welfare units
- Workshops
- Showrooms and pop-ups
With side loader delivery, we can even place these fully kitted units straight onto your site with zero hassle.
🔧 Things You Can Modify:
- Doors and windows
- Internal walls or partitions
- Electrics and lighting
- Shelving and racking
- Heating, insulation, or ventilation
- Security upgrades
- Don’t Forget Site Access — Size is Only Part of the Picture
A container may technically fit your storage needs — but can it fit down your driveway? Or into your farmyard? Or onto the building site behind your office?
Here’s what you’ll need to consider:
🔍 Access Checklist:
- Width of entrance gates or roads
- Overhead cables, tree branches, or signage
- Turning space for the truck
- Surface stability (concrete, hardcore or stable ground)
Containerlift can perform a pre-delivery access survey, and our side loader trucks mean we can lift the container off and place it in a variety of locations — even when space is tight.
Renting vs Buying — How Container Size Affects Cost
| Container Size | Avg. Weekly Rental | Typical Purchase Price (Used) | Typical Purchase Price (New) |
| 20ft | £15–£25 | £1,200–£2,000 | £2,500–£3,500 |
| 40ft | £20–£35 | £1,800–£3,000 | £3,500–£5,000 |
| 45ft HC | £30–£45 | £3,000+ | £5,500+ |
📝 Note: Prices vary by location and market demand — always check with our team for the most accurate quote.
If you’re not sure how long you’ll need the container, renting might be the better short-term solution. If you’re converting it or planning long-term use, buying is usually the more cost-effective option.
The Containerlift Advantage
Here’s why customers across the UK and Europe use Containerlift for their container sizing, sourcing, and delivery:
- ✅ We stock all standard sizes plus modified units
- ✅ Self-loading vehicles for fast and flexible delivery
- ✅ Nationwide & European coverage
- ✅ Support from real humans — not just online forms
- ✅ Competitive rental and purchase rates
You won’t find us hiding behind jargon or red tape. We’re here to make your container journey easy.
Case Study: Right-Size Success for an Events Company
Client: A touring event logistics firm based in Yorkshire
Need: Multiple container units for gear, merch and staff use — across different festival locations
Challenge: Each site had different access, clearance and space constraints
Solution:
- Initial consultation to map their usage needs
- A mix of 20ft, 40ft and 45ft containers delivered on-demand
- Self-loading delivery used to place containers at tight sites
- Containerlift provided split delivery service over 4 weeks to multiple locations
Results:
- All units delivered on time, in the right size, no excess cost
- No cranes or extra labour needed
- Client now uses Containerlift exclusively for all seasonal festivals
Client quote:
“Trying to do this with flatbeds would have been a nightmare. Containerlift made the whole operation slick. The team even helped size our containers based on packing volume — total lifesavers.”
Not sure what size container you need?
Talk to our expert team for honest advice, quick quotes, and stress-free delivery — whatever the size, wherever the site.
📞 Call us today or request a callback:
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