A standard 20ft shipping container is 6.058 metres long × 2.438m wide × 2.591m high (externally). Internally it measures 5.898m × 2.352m × 2.393m, giving 33.1 cubic metres of usable space. Door opening: 2.340m wide × 2.280m tall.
| Specification | Metric | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| External length | 6.058 m | 20' 0" |
| External width | 2.438 m | 8' 0" |
| External height | 2.591 m | 8' 6" |
| Internal length | 5.898 m | 19' 4" |
| Internal width | 2.352 m | 7' 9" |
| Internal height | 2.393 m | 7' 10" |
| Door opening width | 2.340 m | 7' 8" |
| Door opening height | 2.280 m | 7' 6" |
| Tare weight (empty) | approx. 2,200 kg | approx. 4,850 lb |
| Max payload | approx. 28,000 kg | approx. 61,700 lb |
| Internal volume | 33.1 m³ | 1,169 cu ft |
Exact dimensions vary slightly by manufacturer and age. Phil can provide precise dimensions for specific containers — call 020 8226 0007.
A 20ft container gives you 33.1 cubic metres of usable space. In practical terms:
For a conversion, the interior gives you roughly a 5.9m × 2.35m footprint — enough for a garden office, single-room workshop, or compact welfare unit.
The 20ft is the most popular container size in the UK. It's compact enough to fit in most drives and gardens, easier to position with a HIAB in tight spaces, and cheaper to buy and deliver. It suits single-car storage, garden workshops, site storage, and small office conversions.
The 40ft gives you double the floor area — useful for large storage projects, welfare units, classroom conversions, or anywhere you need the extra run of space. See the 40ft dimensions guide for the full spec. Ready to buy? Browse 20ft containers for sale.
For temporary storage use of under 28 days on your own land, planning permission is generally not required in England. For longer-term or permanent siting — especially in a residential garden or on greenbelt land — you may need permitted development consent or full planning permission.
The rules vary by local authority and intended use. For a conversion to habitable space (office, classroom, living space), planning is almost always required. See the planning permission guide for the full picture. Phil can also advise based on what you're planning to do.