The 20ft vs 40ft shipping container question comes up more than any other. Both are great, but they suit different jobs and different sites. Here’s how to choose without overthinking it.

The quick comparison

When a 20ft container makes sense

A 20ft container fits most suburban driveways and backyards. It holds the contents of a three-bedroom house, a decent workshop or a tradie’s full kit. It’s easier to deliver because a standard tilt tray can drop it, and it’s easier to move later.

Choose a 20ft if your site is tight, if you’re in town, or if the container is for household storage, a garden shed or a small business.

When a 40ft container makes sense

A 40ft gives you double the floor space for roughly a third more money. That makes it the best value per square metre. Farms, builders, landscapers and businesses usually go 40ft because they’re storing machinery, vehicles, pallets or bulky stock.

The catch is space. You need room for a 12m container plus room for the truck. Most 40ft containers are delivered by side loader, which needs space alongside the truck to set the container down.

What about two 20ft containers?

Two 20ft containers cost more than one 40ft, but they give you flexibility. You can put them in different spots, set them up with a dome shelter between them, or sell one later. If you’re planning a container dome, two 20fts or two 40fts are the standard setup.

Don’t forget high cube

Both sizes come in high cube versions that are 30cm taller. If you’re storing tall gear or converting the container into an office or home, it’s worth the small extra cost.

A simple way to decide

1. Measure the spot and the access path for the truck.
2. List what you’ll store and roughly how much space it takes.
3. If a 40ft fits and you’ll use the space, buy the 40ft.
4. If access is tight or you’re in the suburbs, go 20ft.

20ft vs 40ft shipping container: cost per square metre

A 20ft has about 13.9 square metres of floor space. A 40ft has about 28.3. At new prices that’s roughly $216 per square metre for a 20ft and $141 for a 40ft. If you’ll use the space, the 40ft wins easily on value.

Delivery differences

When you weigh up a 20ft vs 40ft shipping container, delivery is often the deciding factor. A 20ft can usually go on a tilt tray and drop into a driveway. A 40ft usually needs a side loader and a longer, wider site. If your access is tight, a 20ft is the safe bet.

Moving it later

If you think you might move, a 20ft is easier and cheaper to relocate. A 40ft is better if it’s going to stay put for years.

Quick answers

Is a 40ft container twice the price of a 20ft?

No. A new 40ft is $3,999 compared with $2,999 for a 20ft – about a third more for double the space.

Can a 40ft container go in a suburban backyard?

Sometimes, but it needs a lot of room for the truck and the container itself. Most suburban sites suit a 20ft better.

Which is better for a container home?

Most container homes and modules use 40ft high cube frames because they give more usable living space.

Compare our 20ft containers and 40ft containers, or email sales@mrfequipments.com.au with a few photos of your site and we’ll tell you what fits. For general size standards, see ISO container dimensions.