To determine the size of shipping container needed, consider the following:
- Common shipping container sizes are 10 feet, 20 feet, and 40 feet long, with widths of about 8 feet (2.44 meters) and heights generally around 8.6 feet (2.59 meters) for standard containers or 9.6 feet (2.9 meters) for high cube containers.
- A standard 20ft container (about 6 meters long) is the most common and can hold roughly the contents of a 2-3 bedroom house or about 33 cubic meters (1160 cubic feet). It measures approximately 6.05m long x 2.43m wide x 2.59m high.
- A 40ft container (about 12 meters long) provides double the floor space of a 20ft and is suitable for larger cargo.
- Smaller 10ft containers are suitable for minimal cargo or small storage.
- High cube containers offer an extra foot of height, ideal for taller cargo or larger volume.
The choice depends on the volume and size of cargo, budget, and transportation logistics. For normal household or small business needs, a 20ft container usually suffices. For larger shipments, a 40ft container is more appropriate. High cube variants add height if needed.