The 20ft and 40ft shipping containers are the two most popular sizes in the UK — but which one is right for you? This guide compares them on space, cost, access and best uses so you can make the right call the first time.
Space and capacity
A 20ft container gives you around 33 m³ of storage — enough for the contents of a small house or a busy workshop. A 40ft container roughly doubles that to around 67 m³, making it the go-to for large inventories, machinery, archives and container conversions. For exact measurements, see our container sizes and dimensions guide.
Cost: is a 40ft better value?
A 40ft container costs more than a 20ft, but not double — so per cubic metre, the 40ft is usually better value if you can use the space. That said, you should never pay for capacity you don’t need. For current UK pricing, read our shipping container cost guide.
Delivery and access
This is where many buyers get caught out. A 40ft container needs significantly more room to deliver and offload than a 20ft — both for the delivery vehicle and to manoeuvre the container into place. As a rule of thumb, allow clear, level access roughly twice the length of the container. If your site has tight access, a 20ft (or two) may be the smarter choice. Learn more in our container delivery guide.
Best uses at a glance
- Choose a 20ft for home and garden storage, small business stock, tools, and sites with limited access.
- Choose a 40ft for warehousing, large equipment, bulk storage and container builds where space allows.
Our verdict
If you have the access and the volume, a 40ft offers the best value per cubic metre. If space is tight or your needs are modest, the ever-popular 20ft is hard to beat. Compare both ranges now: 20ft containers and 40ft containers, or request a free quote and our UK team will help you decide.