If you’ve ever tried to visualise what can actually fit inside a 20ft shipping container, you’re not alone. It’s one of our most common questions and a good one to ask before booking your storage or moving solution.
The short answer?
A 20ft container holds roughly 32 cubic metres of space, which is enough to fit the contents of a 3 bedroom home or a small business’s storage needs.
But the real question is: how do you know if your items will fit?
Let’s break it down with real-world examples, measuring tips, and smart packing advice to help you make the most of every cubic metre.
Container Dimensions at a Glance
External: 6.05m (L) × 2.44m (W) × 2.59m (H)
Internal: 5.90m (L) × 2.35m (W) × 2.38m (H)
Capacity: 32 cubic metres (approx. 3-bedroom house)
This gives you the equivalent of about 10–12 standard trailers, or around 60 large moving boxes, depending on how efficiently you pack.
What Typically Fits in a 20ft Container
To make it easy, here’s what most Perth families and businesses can fit comfortably inside a 20ft container:
For Homes (3-Bedroom Average)
- 2–3 beds and mattresses
- Lounge suite and armchairs
- Dining table + 6 chairs
- Fridge, washer, dryer, and other appliances
- TV units and sideboards
- Outdoor setting or BBQ
- Around 30–40 moving boxes (clothes, décor, books, kitchenware)
For Businesses
- 50–60 archive boxes or office files
- Desks, chairs, shelving units
- Trade tools and small machinery
- Event signage, booths, or lighting
- Stock and inventory pallets (usually 10–12 standard pallets)
If you’re running a small retail store, a 20ft container is perfect for seasonal stock, displays, or equipment between events.
How to Check if Your Items Will Fit
Before booking your container, it’s worth doing a quick check to estimate how much space you’ll actually need. Here’s a simple 3-step method:
Step 1: Measure Your Largest Items
Use a tape measure to get the length × width × height (in metres) of big pieces like beds, sofas, or cabinets.
Example: 2.0m (L) × 0.8m (W) × 1.0m (H) = 1.6m³
Step 2: Estimate Smaller Items in Boxes
Average moving boxes are around 0.1–0.15m³ each.
If you have 40 boxes, that’s roughly 4–6m³ total.
Step 3: Add Everything Together
Combine your large item volumes and box volumes to get an estimate.
If your total is under 30m³, a 20ft container will fit comfortably.
If it’s closer to 35m³ or more, consider splitting items into two containers or using a 40ft container instead.
Pro tip: Always allow 5–10% extra space for packing efficiency, bulky shapes, or awkward angles.
Tips for Maximising Space
A little planning can go a long way. Here’s how to make your 20ft container work harder for you:
- Disassemble large furniture – remove legs, shelves, and doors when possible.
- Use vertical space – stack lighter boxes on top of sturdy furniture.
- Fill gaps – use soft items (bedding, clothes) to fill voids and cushion fragile items.
- Load heavier items first – create a solid base and distribute weight evenly.
- Label everything – makes unpacking (or accessing mid-storage) much easier.
If you’re unsure, our team can help with packing advice or pickup options so you make the most of every cubic metre.
Which Container Size Is Right for You?
At U-Move, we offer three main self-storage container sizes to suit different needs — from single-room storage to large home or business setups.
20ft Standard (32m³ capacity)
External: 6.05m (L) × 2.44m (W) × 2.59m (H)
Internal: 5.90m (L) × 2.35m (W) × 2.38m (H)
Best for 2–3 bedroom homes or small businesses.
Plenty of space for furniture, appliances, and 30–40 boxes. Ideal if you’re moving, renovating, or storing most of your household items.
20ft High Cube (37m³ capacity)
External: 6.05m (L) × 2.44m (W) × 2.89m (H)
Internal: 5.90m (L) × 2.35m (W) × 2.67m (H)
Best for bulky or tall items like wardrobes, stacked furniture, shelving, or equipment.
Same floor area as a standard 20ft, but with extra height, giving you about 10–15% more storage volume.
40ft High Cube (76m³ capacity)
External: 12.19m (L) × 2.44m (W) × 2.89m (H)
Internal: 12.01m (L) × 2.35m (W) × 2.67m (H)
Best forlarge homes, commercial storage, or big relocations.
Fits the contents of a 4–5 bedroom home, multiple vehicles, or high-volume business stock.
Why U-Move Makes Container Storage Easy
At U-Move Australia, we make storage simple, whether you’re renovating, relocating, or running a business.
- Containers delivered straight to your door, site, or office
- Secure off-site storage available in our 24/7 monitored facility
- Flexible short-term and long-term hire
- 50% cheaper than traditional self-storage sites
- Perth-based team ready to help you measure, plan, and move
We’ll help you find the right container size, pack efficiently, and save on costs.
