Quick Answer: 20 Foot Shipping Container
A 20 foot shipping container costs about $1,200–$2,200 used wind and watertight, $1,500–$2,800 cargo-worthy and $2,500–$5,000 new one-trip, with delivery adding $300–$2,500+ by distance. Under ISO standards it measures 19’10½” long, 8′ wide and 8’6″ high outside, with a door opening of at least 7’6″ wide by 7’5″ high. Its maximum ISO rating is 30,480 kg (about 67,200 lb) including the box itself, though older units may be rated lower, so read the safety approval plate. Renting runs $75–$200 a month, so for needs longer than about a year, buying often costs less.
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20 Foot Shipping Container: Size, Weight, Price and Delivery
A 20 foot shipping container is the smaller of the two standard boxes, and the one most buyers put on a driveway, a farm or a jobsite. It is a steel room about the size of a single-car garage bay, built to be stacked on ships and moved by truck. Once it lands on your property, it becomes lockable storage, a workshop, or the shell for an office.
This page is for anyone pricing a 20ft shipping container before calling suppliers. It covers the real dimensions, what the weight rating means, what fits through the doors, the price of each condition grade, delivery, placement and permits. It also shows when renting beats buying, and when a 40ft box is the better call.
20ft Shipping Container Dimensions
Container sizes are set by the ISO 668 standard. The International Maritime Organization's informative material on cargo transport units lists them. Sellers list it as a 20' shipping container, but a 20 foot shipping container is not quite 20 feet long. Its actual length is 19 feet 10½ inches, so two of them plus the gap between them fill the same slot as one 40ft box.
| Measurement | Standard 20ft (8'6" High) | What It Means for You |
|---|---|---|
| Exterior length | 19' 10½" (6,058 mm) | The space it takes on your pad or driveway |
| Exterior width | 8' 0" (2,438 mm) | About 159 sq ft of ground footprint |
| Exterior height | 8' 6" (2,591 mm) | Check overhead wires and branches on the approach |
| Minimum interior length | 5,867 mm (about 19' 3") | Many units measure slightly more |
| Minimum interior width | 2,330 mm (about 7' 7¾") | Just under 150 sq ft of floor at the minimum size |
| Minimum interior height | 2,350 mm (about 7' 8½") | Floor and roof construction vary by unit |
| Minimum door opening | 7' 6" wide × 7' 5" high | Everything you load must pass through this |
The exterior figures are fixed by the standard. Interior sizes are minimums, and real units vary by manufacturer. Floor thickness, corrugated walls and door hardware all take a little space. Measure the unit you are offered if a few inches matter.
Almost every 20 foot shipping container is 8 feet 6 inches tall. The IMO material says practically all 20-foot containers are that height, and very few 20ft high cubes exist. If you need the extra foot of height, you are usually shopping for a 40ft high cube instead.
Weight, Rating and Payload: Read the CSC Plate
Three weights matter. The rating is the most the loaded container may weigh in total. The tare is the empty container. The payload is the rating minus the tare, which is what you can put inside.
Under ISO standards, containers of 20 feet and longer have a maximum rating of 30,480 kg (about 67,200 lb). Some 20ft box containers are rated higher, at 32,500 kg or 34,000 kg. Older units built to earlier versions of the standard may be rated lower.
| Weight | Typical 20ft Figure | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum gross rating | 30,480 kg (about 67,200 lb) | ISO maximum; some units higher, older ones may be lower |
| Tare (empty weight) | About 2,200–2,300 kg (about 4,850–5,070 lb) | Planning figure only; varies by unit |
| Payload | Rating minus tare | Example: 30,480 − 2,300 = 28,180 kg (about 62,100 lb) |
| Floor strength | 5,460 kg forklift axle load (about 12,000 lb) | The test load CSC floors must withstand |
Never plan around a number from a listing. Every container approved under the International Convention for Safe Containers carries a safety approval plate with its technical data. Read the rating and tare printed on it, and ask the supplier for a photo before you buy.
A Rating Is Not a Road Limit
Few storage buyers come near the payload of a 20 foot shipping container. If you plan to load it and then move it, though, local road rules may cap the loaded weight far below the rating. Ask the hauler before you fill it.
What Fits in a 20ft Container
A 20 foot shipping container holds more than it looks from the street. The limit is usually the door, not the floor. Anything wider than 7 feet 6 inches, or taller than 7 feet 5 inches, will not go in through the end doors.
Worked Example: Standard 48" × 40" Pallets, Single Layer
Across the width: two pallets with the 40" sides facing the doors = 80", inside a 91¾" minimum width
Along the length: four rows at 48" each = 192", inside a 231" minimum length
Result: 2 × 4 = 8 pallets, with about 39" of floor left over
Stacked two high: 16 pallets, if each stack stays under the 89" door height
Mixing pallet directions can squeeze in more, so treat eight as a simple baseline. A fork truck can drive inside, because container floors are tested for a forklift axle load. Check your truck's weight against that before you rely on it.
Vehicles. A small car can fit in a 20 foot shipping container if its length leaves room to close the doors, and its width with mirrors clears the opening. Crew-cab and long-bed pickups may be longer than the interior, so check the listed length first. Motorcycles, riding mowers, ATVs and golf carts are easier fits.
Household goods. A 20 foot shipping container takes the furniture and boxes from several rooms. Pack heavy items low and toward the front wall. Leave an aisle if you will need to reach the back.
Tools and stock. Shelving down both long walls with a center aisle is the common layout for a contractor, a farm or a small shop.
20 Foot Shipping Container Price by Condition Grade
Condition moves the price more than anything else. The same 20 foot shipping container can sell for under $1,000 or near $5,000, depending on its grade. These are this site's planning ranges, and they match our shipping container prices guide.
| Grade | 20ft Purchase Price | What You Get | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| New (one-trip) | $2,500–$5,000 | Near-new box after one loaded trip | Offices, visible sites, long ownership |
| IICL / multi-trip | $2,000–$3,500 | Used, in better condition than cargo-worthy | Clean storage, light modifications |
| Cargo-worthy | $1,500–$2,800 | Inspected and certified to carry cargo | Shipping goods, workshops, secure storage |
| Wind and watertight | $1,200–$2,200 | Sealed against weather, not certified for shipping | Farm and yard storage |
| As-is | $800–$1,500 | No condition promise | Inspected in person, heavy rework |
Where a 20 foot shipping container price lands inside its range depends on the unit itself and on local supply. Paint, floor condition, door seals and how many boxes sit in nearby depots all move the quote.
New one-trip containers have made a single loaded journey after manufacture. They arrive with straight panels, clean floors and doors that seal well. Pick one if the box will be seen by customers or neighbors, or if you plan to cut in windows and doors.
Cargo-worthy units are used but inspected and certified to carry cargo. Expect dents, faded paint and old markings. You only need this grade if the container will ship goods again. Some storage buyers choose it anyway for the inspection.
Wind and watertight means sealed against weather but not certified for shipping. For storage, that is usually all you need. It is the grade most people mean when they search for a 20ft shipping container for sale at a low price.
As-is is a gamble. Some units are fine for a dry barn. Others leak or have doors that bind. See it before you pay.
Ask for Photos of the Actual Unit
Grades are not policed the same way by every seller. Ask for photos of the unit you will receive, including the roof, floor, door seals and safety approval plate. If a "cargo-worthy" price looks like a wind and watertight price, ask for the inspection paperwork.
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Common Uses for a 20ft Box
The compact footprint is the reason people choose a 20 foot shipping container. It fits where a 40ft will not, and one person can walk its length in a few steps.
Home and yard storage. Seasonal gear, renovation materials and garage overflow are the everyday uses. A wind and watertight 20 foot shipping container usually does the job. A newer box looks better beside a house, which matters if your neighbors or association care.
Jobsite lockup. Contractors use a 20 foot shipping container for tools, generators and materials that should not sit in the open overnight. Stacking inside still follows site safety rules. OSHA's storage requirements for construction say materials stored in tiers must be stacked, racked, blocked, interlocked or otherwise secured against sliding, falling or collapse.
Farm storage. A steel box keeps feed, tools and small equipment out of the weather. It sits on a gravel pad near the barn and can move again later.
Workshop or office. With insulation, power, a door and windows, a 20 foot shipping container becomes a one-room office or studio. A basic 20ft office conversion runs about $10,000–$20,000 in total. Our shipping container office guide breaks that down by finish level.
Pop-up shop or service window. Some businesses cut a side opening for sales or food service. Modifications like that are quoted by design and location, and a public-facing use brings more code review. Start with a one-trip unit so the steel you cut into is sound.
Business buyers: ask your tax adviser how a purchased container is treated. IRS Publication 946 says depreciable property must be property you own, used in your business, with a determinable useful life, and expected to last more than one year. Whether your container qualifies, and how, is your adviser's call.
Delivery: What It Adds and What Your Site Needs
Delivery on a purchased 20 foot shipping container adds $300–$2,500+. The biggest factor is distance from the nearest depot. A box sitting in a yard a few miles away costs far less to deliver than one hauled across a state.
Most containers arrive on a tilt-bed truck that slides the box off the back. The driver needs a straight, firm approach with room to pull forward as the container comes down. Overhead, the path must be clear of wires, gutters and branches. A crane truck can lift a box over a fence, but that is a different quote.
Ask each supplier three things before you order:
- How much straight length and overhead clearance does your truck need?
- Can you set the doors facing the direction I choose?
- Is delivery a flat fee, or does it change with mileage or wait time?
Buying two? Ask whether both can ride on one truck. The fork-lift pockets on a 20ft container also help. The IMO material notes that 20-foot containers are generally fitted with pockets that may be used to lift full containers. Those pockets are not generally fitted on 30-foot and longer boxes.
Example: A Storage Budget for One 20ft Container
Wind and watertight container: $1,700
Delivery from a nearby depot: $500
Total before site preparation: $1,700 + $500 = $2,200
Not included: ground preparation and any permit fee, both quoted locally
Ground, Placement and Permits
A 20 foot shipping container needs firm, level ground. On soft or uneven ground the frame can twist, and the doors stop closing properly. Water pooling under the steel also shortens its life.
Concrete or asphalt is the easiest surface. On bare ground, a compacted gravel pad drains well and keeps the box level. Solid blocks or timbers under the corner castings lift the steel off the dirt, and many owners add supports along the long sides. A permanent office or shop may need real footings, which your local building department decides.
Check the rules before a 20 foot shipping container arrives. Placing a container on a property usually needs local zoning approval, and often a permit. Setbacks, time limits and screening rules are all local, and homeowners associations can add their own. Call your city or county planning office first. Our metal building permits and codes guide explains how that process usually works.
A container used as a building faces stricter review. The International Code Council publishes the ICC G5 Guideline for the Safe Use of ISO Intermodal Shipping Containers Repurposed as Buildings. It helps jurisdictions, owners, architects and builders assess how to design, review and approve shipping containers as a building element. Adding power, plumbing or people inside moves the box into that territory.
Price a 20ft Container, Delivered
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Rent or Buy a 20ft Container?
Renting wins for short jobs. A 20 foot shipping container usually rents for $75–$200 a month. Rental delivery runs about $150–$500, and pickup costs about the same. Buying wins once the rent adds up past the purchase price.
Example: 20ft Container, Rent vs Buy
Renting: $300 delivery + $300 pickup = $600 in trips, plus $125 every month
Buying: $1,700 wind and watertight container + $500 delivery = $2,200 once
Crossover: ($2,200 − $600) ÷ $125 = 12.8 months
Check: 12 months of renting costs $600 + $1,500 = $2,100. At 13 months it costs $600 + $1,625 = $2,225, more than buying.
Change the numbers to match your quotes. A buyer also keeps the box, or sells it later. A renter hands the upkeep and the removal back to the supplier. Our storage container rental guide covers rental rates, terms and contracts in detail.
20ft vs 40ft Shipping Container
A 40ft container has the same width and standard height as a 20 foot shipping container, with about twice the floor. It costs more, but not twice as much.
| Factor | 20ft Container | 40ft Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Exterior length | 19' 10½" | 40' |
| Width and height | 8' × 8'6" | 8' × 8'6" (high cube 9'6") |
| Wind and watertight | $1,200–$2,200 | $1,800–$2,800 |
| Cargo-worthy | $1,500–$2,800 | $2,000–$3,500 |
| New one-trip | $2,500–$5,000 | $3,500–$6,500 |
| Monthly rental | $75–$200 | $100–$300 |
| Fork-lift pockets | Generally fitted | Not generally fitted |
Choose the 20ft when your site is tight, your storage fits in under 150 square feet, or you want a single-room office. It is also the easier box to place behind a house or between buildings.
Choose the 40ft when you need the space, want a multi-room layout, or would otherwise buy two 20ft units. One 40ft means one delivery. Our 40ft shipping container cost guide covers its sizes, high cube option and prices. Set those against the 20ft shipping container cost above.
Thinking about something bigger than either? A steel building may be the better value. Our shipping container vs metal building comparison covers that choice.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 20 Foot Shipping Container
How much does a 20 foot shipping container cost?
A 20 foot shipping container costs $800–$1,500 as-is, $1,200–$2,200 wind and watertight, $1,500–$2,800 cargo-worthy, $2,000–$3,500 IICL grade and $2,500–$5,000 new one-trip. Delivery adds $300–$2,500+ by distance from the depot.
What is the 20 foot shipping container price with delivery?
Add the delivery quote to the container price. A wind and watertight unit at $1,700 with $500 delivery totals $2,200. A new one-trip unit at $4,000 with $1,200 delivery totals $5,200.
What are the dimensions of a 20ft shipping container?
Under ISO standards, a 20ft container is 19 feet 10½ inches long, 8 feet wide and 8 feet 6 inches high outside. The minimum interior is about 19 feet 3 inches long, 7 feet 7¾ inches wide and 7 feet 8½ inches high, and real units vary. The door opening is at least 7 feet 6 inches wide by 7 feet 5 inches high.
How much weight can a 20 ft shipping container hold?
The ISO maximum rating for a 20ft container is 30,480 kg, about 67,200 lb, including the container itself. Some units are rated higher and older ones may be rated lower. Subtract the tare shown on the CSC safety approval plate to get the payload for that unit.
How much does an empty 20ft container weigh?
An empty 20ft general purpose container weighs roughly 2,200–2,300 kg, about 4,850–5,070 lb. That is a planning figure. The exact tare for a unit is printed on its safety approval plate.
Will a car fit in a 20 foot shipping container?
Many small cars fit, but measure first. The car must be shorter than the roughly 19-foot interior with room to close the doors, and its width with mirrors must clear the 7-foot-6-inch opening. Some crew-cab and long-bed pickups are too long.
How many pallets fit in a 20ft container?
With standard 48 by 40 inch pallets placed two across, four rows fit in the minimum interior length, which makes eight in a single layer. Mixing directions can fit more. Stacked two high, each stack must stay under the 7-foot-5-inch door height.
Do I need a permit for a 20 foot shipping container?
Often, yes. Placing a container on a property usually needs local zoning approval and often a permit. Rules, setbacks and time limits are local, and homeowners associations may add their own. Check with your planning office before delivery.
Is it cheaper to rent or buy a 20ft container?
Renting is cheaper for short needs and buying for long ones. A 20ft rents for $75–$200 a month plus delivery and pickup. In our worked example, buying a $1,700 used container with $500 delivery came out ahead after about 13 months.
Should I buy a 20ft or a 40ft container?
Buy a 20ft if your site is tight or your needs fit in under 150 square feet. Buy a 40ft if you need twice the floor or would otherwise buy two 20ft units. A new one-trip 40ft costs $3,500–$6,500, against $2,500–$5,000 for a 20ft.
Buying a 20 Foot Shipping Container With Confidence
Start with the grade your use actually needs, then price the container and delivery together. Read the safety approval plate, ask for photos of the real unit, and confirm your site can take the truck. That covers most of the ways a 20 foot shipping container purchase goes wrong.
Then check local placement rules and compare written totals from more than one supplier. The right box is the one that fits your site, your budget and the job you bought it for.
Related Resources
- Shipping Container Prices by Size and Grade
- 40ft Shipping Container Cost and High Cube Options
- Storage Container Rental Cost and Terms
- Shipping Container Office Conversions
- Shipping Container vs Metal Building
- Shipping Container Sizes and Dimensions
- Conex Box Sizes, Grades and Prices
- Used Shipping Containers for Sale
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