20ft Container Rental
A used 20-foot shipping or storage container rents from $95 a month on a 12-month term, $125 on 6 months or $135 on 3 months, before delivery, pickup and sales tax. It gives you about 150 sq ft (13.9 m²) of lockable storage, room for 9 standard US pallets (48 × 40 in), and arrives wind and watertight from the depot of a seller near your ZIP. Up to 5 sellers quote the rate and the delivery and pickup charges, and you choose.
Illustrative image Illustrative image. The container you get may differ in color, markings and condition; every rental container is used and wind & watertight.
What a 20ft rental costs
| Term | Monthly rate | Total rent |
|---|---|---|
| 3+ months | $135/mo | $405 |
| 6+ months | $125/mo | $750 |
| 12+ months | $95/mo | $1,140 |
The 3-month rate is the lowest we found, at depots in the Northwest; your quote confirms the rate near you.
Delivery and the end-of-rental pickup come on top, priced from the depot to your site. Shorter than 3 months? Ask us.
Renting vs buying a 20ft
A used 20ft costs $1,400 to buy this week (as of Oct 21, 2026). At the 12-month rate, rent reaches that after about 15 months; at the 3-month rate, after about 10.
So rent for a renovation, a move or a season, and buy if you’ll keep it past a year or so: used 20ft for sale. Every size compared: rent or buy.
20ft container specs in feet and metric
| Measurement | Feet, inches, pounds | Metric |
|---|---|---|
| Outside (L × W × H) | 19′10½″ × 8′ × 8′6″ | 6.06 × 2.44 × 2.59 m |
| Inside (L × W × H) | about 19′4″ × 7′8½″ × 7′10″ | about 5.90 × 2.35 × 2.39 m |
| Door opening (W × H) | about 7′8″ × 7′6″ | about 2.34 × 2.28 m |
| Inside volume | about 1,170 cu ft | about 33.1 m³ |
| Floor area (inside) | about 150 sq ft | about 13.9 m² |
| Empty weight (tare) | about 4,700–5,200 lb | about 2,140–2,350 kg |
Sources: ISO 668 for the outside size; carrier and leasing company spec sheets for the 20ft’s inside, door and weight figures, which vary a little by maker (the exact tare is on the doors). 20ft container dimensions.
What fits in a rented 20ft
Inside, about 150 sq ft (13.9 m²) of floor takes 9 standard US pallets (48 × 40 in) in a single layer, and everything goes in through the end doors, about 7′8″ wide and 7′6″ high (2.34 × 2.28 m). That’s the right size for tools and materials on a small job, furniture during a renovation, or seasonal stock. Wondering whether a car fits? Our 20ft buying page works it out from the inside sizes: what fits in a 20ft.
Space for the delivery truck
A tilt-bed truck sets the 20ft down where you want it. It needs about 60–80 ft (18–24 m) of straight approach, a path 10–14 ft (3–4.3 m) wide and 14–16 ft (4.3–4.9 m) of headroom, and the box tips up to about 20 ft (6 m) as it slides off; say which way the doors should face. Ground and leveling are the same for every size: what to check before delivery.
Deposit, insurance and the other conditions come in the rental agreement with your quote: rental terms · how renting works.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to rent a 20ft container for storage?
From $95 a month if you commit to 12 months; $125 on a 6-month term and $135 on 3 months. Six months comes to $750 in rent, with delivery, pickup and any sales tax quoted on top.
How much should a 20ft storage container cost?
Renting runs $95–$135 a month depending on the term. Buying, a used wind & watertight 20ft starts at $1,400 this week and a new one-trip one at $2,750, before delivery and tax. 20ft containers for sale.
Is a 20ft container big enough, or should I rent a 40ft?
A 20ft covers about 150 sq ft (13.9 m²) and 9 pallets; a 40ft doubles that (about 305 sq ft, 20 pallets) but needs about 100–120 ft of straight approach instead of 60–80 ft. 40ft container rental.
Other sizes and options: 40ft container rental · all rental rates · rent-to-own