The 20ft shipping container is the most common size sold in Australia, and for good reason: it fits on a standard truck, drops onto most sites, and holds a genuinely useful amount of space. But if you are planning storage, a conversion or just working out whether it will fit on your block, you need the real numbers, not a rough guess.
Here are the exact dimensions of a standard 20ft GP (general purpose) shipping container, in both metric and imperial, along with the practical figures that actually matter when you are loading one.
External dimensions
20ft GP container, outside measurements
| Length | 6.058 m (19 ft 10.5 in) |
| Width | 2.438 m (8 ft) |
| Height | 2.591 m (8 ft 6 in) |
These are the numbers to use when you are checking whether a container will physically fit in the space you have, and whether a truck can get it in there. Always allow extra room around the box for delivery access, more on that below.
Internal dimensions
20ft GP container, inside measurements
| Internal length | 5.898 m (19 ft 4 in) |
| Internal width | 2.352 m (7 ft 8.5 in) |
| Internal height | 2.393 m (7 ft 10 in) |
The internal space is a little smaller than the external because of the wall thickness and the corrugated steel. For most storage jobs the internal height and width are what determine whether your pallets, furniture or equipment will fit.
Door opening
20ft GP container, door aperture
| Door width | 2.343 m (7 ft 8 in) |
| Door height | 2.280 m (7 ft 5.75 in) |
The door opening is slightly smaller again than the internal dimensions. This is the figure that catches people out: if you are loading something bulky like a vehicle or machinery, measure the door aperture, not the internal space, because whatever goes in has to fit through the doors first.
Weight and capacity
Typical 20ft GP figures
| Tare (empty) weight | approx. 2,100 to 2,300 kg |
| Maximum gross weight | approx. 30,480 kg |
| Internal volume | approx. 33 cubic metres |
Exact tare weight varies slightly between manufacturers and is stamped on the container's data plate. The internal volume, around 33 cubic metres, is roughly enough to hold the contents of a two to three bedroom house, which is why 20ft units are so popular for moving and storage.
Tip: if 33 cubic metres or a 5.9 m internal length is not quite enough, a 40ft container gives you roughly double the floor space for not double the price. Ask us and we will quote both so you can compare.
Will it fit on your site?
Knowing the box is 6.058 m long is only half the picture. For delivery you also need to think about access: a truck needs room to reverse in, and depending on the delivery method the container may need clearance above and to the sides to be set down. As a rough rule, allow at least the length of the container again in clear space for a tilt tray to slide it off.
If you are not sure whether your site will work, send us a photo and the access details when you request a quote and we will tell you honestly what is possible before anything is booked.
Talk to a Brisbane container specialist
Whether you want to buy a container or need one moved, you deal with one contact from start to finish, with a quote back within one business day.