10ft Shipping Container Dimensions and What Fits Inside

10ft Container Dimension Table

Internal figures are the spread across the makers' spec sheets we checked, because they differ by a few centimetres. If a tight fit matters, Phil will measure the actual box for you: call 020 8226 0007.

Why Is a 10ft Container Not Quite 10 Feet Long?

A 10ft container is 2.991m long, which is 9ft 9¾in, not a full 10 feet. The shipping standard (ISO 668) sets it that way so that two 10ft containers, with the 76mm gap allowed between them, take up exactly the length of one 20ft container (6.058m). That lets the boxes share the same ship slots, rail wagons and lorry twistlocks.

The height is the other figure to watch. The standard itself lists the 10ft at 8ft high, but almost every 10ft sold in the UK is 8ft 6in (2.591m), the same height as a standard 20ft. All the figures on this page are for the 8ft 6in box. See the shipping container sizes guide to compare it with every other size.

What Fits in a 10ft Container?

A 10ft container gives you about 6.6 square metres of floor and 15.8 cubic metres of space, a little under half of a 20ft (33.1 cubic metres). In practice:

• 4 UK standard pallets (1200 x 1000mm), in two rows of two
• 5 Euro pallets (1200 x 800mm), three crosswise and two lengthwise
• A motorbike, a quad bike or a ride-on mower, with room for shelving round it
• Garden furniture, bikes, tools and the contents of a large garden shed
• Stock, tools or materials for a trade or a small shop, kept dry and locked

What does not fit is a car. The inside is about 2.83m long, and a typical hatchback is around 4 metres, so cars need a 20ft. The doors open about 2.31m wide and 2.28m high, so anything that fits inside will also go through the doors.

How Much Does a 10ft Container Weigh?

A purpose-built 10ft shipping container weighs about 1,300kg empty and is rated to 10,160kg gross, so it can carry about 8,800kg. Lighter 10ft units built only for site storage weigh 825 to 935kg.

The empty weight matters for two things: the HIAB crane that lifts it into place, and the ground it sits on. A 10ft is well within what a HIAB lorry lifts every day, and it needs a firm, level base such as concrete, paving or compacted hardcore. Our guide to how shipping containers are delivered covers the base and the lorry access.

Is a 10ft Container Cut Down From a Bigger One?

Most 10ft containers sold in the UK are cut down from a 20ft or 40ft container. The box is shortened, then a new steel end wall or a new set of doors is welded in, and the welds are sealed and painted. Purpose-built 10ft containers exist too, but they are less common.

For storage and conversions a well-made cut-down does the same job. The difference is shipping: a cut-down is for use on land, not for sending overseas, and it is lifted empty. If you need a 10ft you can export, ask for a shipping-rated one.

Will a 10ft Container Fit on My Drive or in My Garden?

The container covers about 3.0m x 2.44m, so allow a flat, level base a little bigger than that, around 3.5m x 3m. That is why the 10ft is the size people choose for driveways, side returns and small yards where a 20ft will not fit.

Height is the catch in a garden. At 2.59m, a standard 10ft is taller than the 2.5m limit that applies to outbuildings within 2 metres of a boundary in England, so one tucked against the fence can need planning permission. Set it further from the boundary or check with your council first. Our guide to planning permission for shipping containers explains the rules.

10ft or 20ft: Which Do You Need?

Choose a 10ft for the space you have, not to save money. A used 10ft from CS Containers is £1,700 + VAT, while a used 20ft is £1,550 + VAT. Most 10ft boxes are cut down from bigger ones, and that work goes into the price. A new 10ft is £2,650 + VAT.

If you have the room, a 20ft gives you twice the space for less money. If you don't, the 10ft goes where a 20ft can't. See the 20ft container dimensions to compare, or browse 10ft shipping containers for sale for a delivered price from Phil.