U-Move Australia
20ft standard shipping container for business use

How to Choose the Right Container Size for Your Business

20 February 2026 · 5 min read

Choosing the Right Container Size for Your Business

Picking the wrong container size costs you money — either wasted space or not enough room. Here's how to choose.

10ft Container — The Compact Option

Internal dimensions: 2.98m x 2.35m x 2.38m

Best for:

  • Garden tool storage
  • Small equipment lockers on job sites
  • Retail pop-ups with limited footprint
  • Residential backyard storage
  • A 10ft container fits in most driveways and backyards. It's roughly the size of a small garden shed but significantly more secure and weatherproof.

    20ft Container — The All-Rounder

    Internal dimensions: 5.90m x 2.35m x 2.38m

    Best for:

  • General business storage and stock overflow
  • Workshop conversions with workbench space
  • Single-vehicle storage
  • Construction site tool storage
  • Small office conversions
  • The 20ft is our most popular container. It holds roughly 10 standard pallets or the contents of a 2-3 bedroom house. Most businesses find this is the sweet spot between space and cost.

    40ft Container — Maximum Capacity

    Internal dimensions: 12.01m x 2.35m x 2.38m

    Best for:

  • Warehouse overflow and bulk stock storage
  • Large workshop or office conversions
  • Multi-vehicle storage
  • Mining and industrial applications
  • Container homes and cafes
  • A 40ft container doubles the space of a 20ft at less than double the cost. If you're building a container office, cafe, or workshop, the extra length makes a significant difference to usability.

    Still Unsure?

    Tell us what you're storing or building and we'll recommend the right size. Call (08) 9459 8888 or request a quote online.