How Much Can I Fit Into a Shipping Container?
You can fit a surprising amount into a shipping container — which is exactly why they’re such a popular storage and workspace solution. From equipment and materials to inventory and tools, shipping containers are designed to handle both volume and weight efficiently. Understanding how much you can fit comes down to choosing the right container size and using the space effectively.
With years of experience in the shipping container industry, the team at Super Cubes helps customers compare sizes, understand capacity, and plan smarter storage solutions. Whether you’re storing materials, outfitting a jobsite, or planning a long-term solution, we’re here to help you maximize space and value with confidence.
Comparing Shipping Container Sizes
The most commonly used shipping container sizes are 20’ and 40’, each serving different space and storage needs. A 20’ container offers a compact footprint that’s easy to place and transport, while a 40’ container provides significantly more interior space for larger storage or project requirements. In addition to these standard sizes, specialty containers are available to offer more flexibility depending on how you plan to use the space.
Standard 20’ Shipping Containers
The 20’ shipping container is a widely used option for storage and transport due to its balance of strength, capacity, and manageable footprint. Its size makes it especially suitable for heavier items, equipment, tools, and smaller volumes of materials where weight capacity matters as much as floor space.
To put the size into perspective, a 20’ container can typically hold the contents of a two- to three-bedroom home or up to 10 standard U.S. pallets, depending on how items are packed and organized.
Dimensions (L x W x H): 20 ft x 8 ft x 8 ft 6 in
Approx. Cubic Capacity: ~1,172 Cubic Feet (33.2 CBM)
Approx. Payload: Up to 55,000 - 61,000 lbs (25,000 - 27,700 kg)
Larger 40’ Shipping Containers
A 40’ shipping container offers double the interior length of a 20’ container, making it a strong option when maximizing usable space is the priority. Its larger footprint makes it well suited for lighter, bulky materials, equipment, and inventory that benefit from open, uninterrupted floor space.
In terms of capacity, a 40’ container can hold roughly 20–22 standard U.S. pallets and can accommodate the contents of a four- to five-bedroom home.
Dimensions (L x W x H): 40 ft x 8 ft x 8 ft 6 in
Approx. Cubic Capacity: ~2,385 Cubic Feet (67.5 CBM)
Approx. Payload: Up to 57,000 - 64,000 lbs (25,850 - 29,000 kg)
High Cube 40’ Shipping Containers
A 40’ high cube shipping container provides the same length as a standard 40’ container, with an additional foot of interior height. That extra height increases overall volume by approximately 13%, making high cube containers especially well-suited for taller equipment, stacked materials, and light, bulky items that benefit from added vertical clearance.
Dimensions (L x W x H): 40 ft x 8 ft x 9 ft 6 in
Approx. Cubic Capacity: ~2,700 Cubic Feet (76.3 CBM)
Specialty Shipping Containers
In addition to standard 20’ and 40’ containers, there are specialty container options designed to support specific storage and handling needs. A 20’ high cube container is a good choice when vertical clearance is more important than overall length. Open top containers allow cargo such as machinery or oversized equipment to be loaded from above, while flat rack containers are designed for wide, heavy, or irregularly shaped items. Open side containers offer side access, making them ideal for loading long materials, organizing inventory, or accessing content without needing to unload from the end doors.
These specialty containers are purpose-built to improve access, loading, and usability for specific equipment and products — providing flexibility where standard containers may not be the best fit.
How to Maximize Shipping Container Space
1. Stack Products and Equipment Well
When you’re getting full use out of a shipping container, you want to stack from bottom to top and nestle everything in neatly, like you’re playing Tetris or trying to fit everything into the dishwasher. Keep in mind that heavier products and equipment should always be placed toward the bottom of the container, while lighter stuff will be placed near the top. This prevents the heavier items from crushing the lighter items.
If you’re using your storage container more as your toy storage for snowmobiles, four-wheelers, lawn mowers, snow blowers, and other home equipment storage, consider placing them in the container seasonally or try to leave the center open, so it’s easier to remove what you need when you need it.
2. Disassemble Furniture, Machinery, and Anything Applicable
For longer-term storage and to simply fit more in a 20’ or 40’ shipping container, it’s in your best interest to disassemble furniture, shelves, machinery, and anything else that can be taken apart. This helps fit everything, given the height and width requirements—especially if something is too tall or wide on the first try. Disassembling will ensure everything fits better and you utilize the entirety of the space.
3. Maximize With Weight in Mind
Shipping containers are built to handle heavy loads, making them a reliable option for equipment, materials, and general storage. That said, it’s still important to be mindful of overall weight and how items are distributed inside the container to ensure safe use and long-term performance.
Where to Find a Shipping Container That Holds What You Need
Ultimately, the answer to “How much can I fit into a shipping container?” comes down to what you plan to store and how you intend to use the space. From tools, equipment, and materials on a jobsite to secure residential or long-term storage, choosing the right container size and configuration makes all the difference.
If you’re looking for guidance on container sizes, availability, or storage-focused options, the team at Super Cubes is here to help. Contact us to explore shipping containers for sale and find a solution that fits your project, site, or storage needs.
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Super Cubes is a family-owned business located in Minneapolis, MN, that provides containers anywhere in the continental US. We offer personalized service for individuals and businesses, providing high-quality containers at competitive prices. With nationwide facilities, we can modify and deliver containers close to you. Contact our experienced team for your next container project.