20ft vs 40ft Shipping Container: Which Size Do You Need?

A 20-foot container holds approximately 1,170 cubic feet of storage within a footprint that fits comfortably into most residential driveways and constrained job sites, while a 40-footer roughly doubles that capacity to about 2,390 cubic feet — though it demands twice the open ground and a considerably wider turning arc for the delivery truck to maneuver. If you're storing tools, seasonal gear, or the contents of a spare bedroom, most Durango customers gravitate toward the 20-ft standard at $85 per 4 weeks. But if you're outfitting an active job site, relocating an entire household, or running a commercial storage operation, the 40-ft high cube at $140 per 4 weeks — or $200 for the double-door configuration — prevents the added expense of renting a second unit halfway through the project.

Size and Capacity, Side by Side

• • Exterior length — 20 ft. vs. 40 ft.
• • Exterior width — 8 ft. on both sizes
• • Standard height — 8 ft. 6 in. on both sizes
• • Interior volume — about 1,170 cu. ft. (20 ft.) vs. about 2,390 cu. ft. (40 ft.) — the 40-footer holds roughly double
• • High cube ceiling — available on both sizes
• • Double door option — available on both sizes
• • Office conversion — 20 ft. only
• • On-trailer option — 20 ft. only

What Actually Fits Inside Each Size

Cubic feet are hard to picture, so think of it this way: a 20-ft container holds roughly what a one-car garage does — furniture from a one-bedroom apartment, a full set of contractor tools, or a season's worth of ranch equipment. A 40-ft container holds close to double that, closer to a two-car garage — a three-bedroom household's furniture, a construction crew's full material load for a mid-size job, or enough inventory and shelving to run a small parts operation out of.

What Each Size Actually Costs to Rent

• • 20 ft. Standard — $85/4 weeks
• • 20 ft. Double Door, High Cube, or End Rollup — $115/4 weeks
• • 20 ft. On Trailer — $155/4 weeks
• • 20 ft. Office — $300/4 weeks
• • 40 ft. High Cube — $140/4 weeks
• • 40 ft. Double Door High Cube — $200/4 weeks

Run the cost-per-cubic-foot math and the larger unit usually comes out ahead. A 20-ft standard works out to approximately 7.3 cents per cubic foot per 4-week period ($85 ÷ 1,170 cu. ft.), while a 40-ft high cube computes to roughly 5.9 cents per cubic foot ($140 ÷ 2,390 cu. ft.) — meaningfully cheaper storage per square foot, even though the sticker price looks higher at first glance. The 20-footer still wins on total dollars, though, if you genuinely don't need the extra volume, or if your site simply doesn't have the clearance for a 40-footer to maneuver into place.

Hercules has delivered more than 5,000 containers across the Four Corners over 14-plus years in business — enough volume to have a solid read on which size actually gets returned early for being too small versus which one sits half-empty. The 20-ft standard is the one they call their most popular size for a reason: it's the container that fits the widest range of jobs without over-buying capacity.

When a 20-Foot Container Is the Right Call

• • Residential storage during a move, remodel, or decluttering project
• • Tight in-town lots or driveways where a 40-ft delivery truck can't maneuver
• • Seasonal gear — skis, camping equipment, a second vehicle's worth of tires
• • Smaller job sites that need tools and materials secured, not a full crew's worth
• • A jobsite office — the 20-ft is the only size Hercules converts to an office layout
• • Mobility — the on-trailer option is a 20-ft-only configuration, useful if the container needs to move between sites

When You Need the 40-Footer

• • Active construction sites storing lumber, equipment, and fixtures for a full crew
• • Commercial or warehouse overflow storage
• • A whole-household move where a 20-ft would mean renting two units
• • Farm and ranch operations storing feed, equipment, or seasonal supplies in bulk
• • Double-door configurations for loading from both ends on a busy site

Delivery Space: What Each Size Needs on Your Property

Both sizes need roughly 13 feet of overhead clearance for the delivery trailer and a straight, firm path onto your property — low branches, sagging power lines, and tight gates stop a delivery regardless of container size. The difference is footprint: plan on double the 40-ft container's own length in open ground once the truck needs room to set it down and pull out, versus a tighter, more forgiving swing for the 20-footer. We cover the full site-prep checklist, gravel pad included, in our container delivery prep guide.

Buying Instead of Renting, By Size

Hercules sells both sizes new and used. New 20-ft units come in Standard, High Cube, Double Door, and High Cube Double Door, with customizable color. New 40-ft units come in Standard, High Cube, and High Cube Double Door. Used containers in both sizes are available subject to current inventory, described as cargo-worthy and water-tight. Purchase pricing moves with market demand rather than a fixed list — see our rent-or-buy breakdown for the math on when buying beats renting.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between a 20ft and 40ft shipping container?

Length, mainly — both are 8 ft. wide and 8 ft. 6 in. tall in standard height. The 20-ft holds about 1,170 cubic feet; the 40-ft holds about 2,390 cubic feet, roughly double. High cube and double-door configurations are available on both sizes; office conversion and the on-trailer option are 20-ft only.

How much more storage space is in a 40-foot container?

About double — roughly 2,390 cubic feet in a 40-footer versus roughly 1,170 cubic feet in a 20-footer, at the same 8 ft. width and 8 ft. 6 in. standard height.

Can I get a high cube ceiling in both sizes?

Yes. Hercules offers a high cube option on both the 20-ft and 40-ft sizes, for rent and for sale.

Which size fits a standard driveway?

A 20-ft container is the safer fit for a typical residential driveway or tight in-town lot. A 40-ft delivery needs roughly double the open ground and a wider arc for the truck to set it down — call and describe your site before booking a 40-footer on a tight property.

Is a 40-ft container cheaper per cubic foot than a 20-ft?

Yes, on the numbers above — roughly 5.9 cents per cubic foot per 4 weeks for a 40-ft high cube versus roughly 7.3 cents per cubic foot for a 20-ft standard. The 20-ft still costs less in total dollars if you don't need the extra volume.

Can I switch sizes partway through a rental?

Yes — if a job outgrows its container, call Hercules to arrange a swap. The original unit gets picked up and the new size delivered, each billed at its own per-4-week rate from the date it's swapped.