When planning an overseas or interstate move, one of the most common questions is: “How much can fit in a shipping container?” Understanding container sizes and capacities can help you make cost-effective decisions while ensuring your belongings are safe during transit.
At Palmers Relocations, we provide 4 shipping container options:
- 20 ft standard shipping container
- 20 ft high cube shipping container (slightly higher than a standard 20ft container)
- 40ft standard shipping container
- 40ft high cube shipping container (slightly higher than a standard 40ft container)
Depending on the type of shipping container, you can have space for the contents of up to a 5+ bedroom house.
Yes, it is larger than you can think.
With the quick reference guide below, you will have practical information about the different freight containers and how much space you have for your move.
Pro Tip Before You Start
1 cubic metre (cbm) ≈ 1 standard fridge or 7 standard moving boxes. This makes estimating your container needs much easier.
20-foot container capacity
First, here are the dimensions of a twenty-foot container. Many people search for the container dimensions in a 20ft container to plan their move more accurately — these measurements help estimate how much can fit inside.
Dimensions:
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External Length: 6.056 m
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External Width: 2.438 m
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External Height: 2.592 m
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Usable Capacity: 32.6 m³
As a general rule, a 20ft shipping container holds up to a standard 3-bedroom home with a maximum of 30 cbm.
How much you can fit into a twenty-foot container depends on how your furnishings are packed and, most importantly, loaded. Selecting a professional packing and loading team is essential to save on space and cost. Experienced packers will also ensure items are packed safely and won’t get damaged during transit.
What Fits in a 20-Foot Container
In the image below, you can see an approximate representation of what can fit into a 20ft shipping container. This includes a typical mix of furniture, boxes, and household items for a standard 3-bedroom home.
Image Source: sirelo.com.au
20-foot high cube container capacity
Everything we love about the standard 20ft container is included in the high cube version, with an extra 1 foot (30cm) of height for additional storage. This gives a cubic capacity of 37 m³, allowing you to fit more furniture, boxes, or those sentimental items that didn’t quite fit in a standard container.
Here are the dimensions of a high cube, twenty-foot container:
- External length: 6,058 m
- External width: 2,438 m
- External Height: 2,896 m
- Usable Capacity: 37 m3
40-foot container capacity
If a 20ft container isn’t quite enough for your needs—or you want to include a vehicle—Palmers Relocations offers two types of 40-foot containers: standard and high cube. Like the 20ft high cube, the 40ft high cube is slightly taller than the standard version, providing extra storage space for your belongings.
Dimensions & Capacity:
| Container Type | External Length | External Width | External Height | Usable Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40ft Standard | 12.19 m | 2.44 m | 2.59 m | 60 m³ |
| 40ft High Cube | 12.19 m | 2.44 m | 2.89 m | 72 m³ |
A 40-foot standard container is ideal for packing the contents of up to a 5-bedroom home (maximum 60 m³). If needed, there’s even space to include a vehicle.
For larger moves, the 40ft high cube container provides extra height, giving you room to pack the contents of a 6+ bedroom home (maximum 72 m³).
Here is what you can expect to fit in a standard 40ft container:
Image Source: sirelo.com.au
How does the pricing work?
Container shipping costs vary based on:
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Container size (20ft vs 40ft)
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Volume and type of items (household goods, vehicles)
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Destination country
At Palmers Relocations, we provide a tailored solution to maximise space, minimise cost, and ensure safety.
How to determine your needs?
Whether you choose a 20ft or 40ft container, both options are safe and secure. If unsure which is right for you, we offer free in-home consultations to assess your volume and recommend the best solution for your move.