20ft Standard Shipping Containers for Sale
The compact 150-sq-ft footprint that fits Aurora side yards, HOA height caps, and tight Stapleton-area lots without sacrificing utility.
The 20ft Standard is the workhorse compact in our Aurora inventory. At 20 feet long, 8 feet wide, and 8'6" tall, it slips onto almost any Front Range residential lot without bumping the side-yard setback or triggering an HOA height conversation. The 150-square-foot interior footprint is enough for a real backyard office, a small workshop, a pool cabana, or a permitted storage building - and the price point keeps the project realistic for owner-builders.
Where the 20ft Standard earns its place over a 40-footer is delivery and siting. We can land a 20 on a single concrete-pier setup, drop it with a tilt-bed truck on roughly 50 feet of clearance, and back into older Aurora neighborhoods where a 40-footer simply won’t turn the corner. For first-time container buyers, it’s also the most forgiving size to live with if the layout ends up needing tweaking.
The trade-off is the 8'6" exterior height. Once you finish the interior - closed-cell foam, framed ceiling, finished floor - you’re working with about 7 feet of headroom. That’s fine for offices, workshops, and storage, but for any space you plan to sleep in, the 20ft High Cube is a much more comfortable starting point.
Hard Numbers for the 20ft Standard
Precise ISO measurements your architect, framer, and Aurora plan-checker will all ask for.
| Measurement | Imperial | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| External (L × W × H) | 20' × 8' × 8'6" | ISO standard envelope |
| Internal (L × W × H) | 19'4" × 7'8" × 7'10" | Before insulation & finish |
| Door opening (W × H) | 7'8" × 7'5" | Double cargo doors |
| Floor area | 146 sq ft | Marine-grade plywood floor |
| Tare weight (empty) | ~5,0,5,0 lbs | Affects foundation & delivery |
| Cubic capacity | 1,172 cu ft | |
| After insulation & finish | ~135 sq ft | ~7'0" headroom |
20ft Standard Grades In Stock
One footprint, four price tiers - pick the grade that matches your build.
Premium builds
Almost new. One overseas voyage, then retired for sale.
View DetailsBest value for most projects
CSC-inspected for international shipping. The sweet spot for builds.
View DetailsBudget builds
Dry inside but not export-rated. Strong choice for storage and rougher builds.
View DetailsHow the Four Sizes Stack Up
Pick the footprint and ceiling that fits the build.
| Feature | 20ft STD | 20ft HC | 40ft STD | 40ft HC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Floor area | 146 sq ft | 146 sq ft | 304 sq ft | 304 sq ft |
| External height | 8'6" | 9'6" | 8'6" | 9'6" |
| Ceiling after insulation | 7'0" | 8'0" | 7'0" | 8'0" |
| Cubic capacity | 1,172 cu ft | 1,326 cu ft | 2,389 cu ft | 2,700 cu ft |
| Tare weight | 5,0,5,0 lbs | 5,2,9,0 lbs | 8,1,6,0 lbs | 8,7,7,5 lbs |
| From price (CW) | $1,4,5,0 | $1,7,5,0 | $2,1,0,0 | $2,4,5,0 |
What Aurora Owners Build with a 20ft STD
A few of the projects this footprint handles well.
Backyard office or studio
Compact storage
Pool house or cabana
Layouts That Work Inside a 20ft STD
Tried-and-true plans local builders pull off the shelf.
Open Studio
Best for guest space, Airbnb, simple cabin builds.
1-Bedroom Tiny Home
ADU, full-time tiny living, family guest house.
Workshop + Office (Dual Use)
Hobby shop, garage bay, dedicated WFH space.
20ft STD Buyer Questions
How much site clearance do I need to deliver a 20ft STD?
For tilt-bed delivery we need straight clearance of roughly 50 feet and at least 14 feet overhead. Tight Aurora lots can usually be handled by flatbed + crane - we'll evaluate during the quote.
Do I need a permit in Aurora for a 20ft STD?
Pure storage on private property usually doesn't, but anything habitable (ADU, office with utilities) goes through Aurora Planning. The 8'6" / 9'6" exterior height matters for accessory-structure caps.
What foundation should I use?
Concrete piers at the four corner castings are the cheapest code-friendly option for the Front Range. Gravel pads work for storage; slabs are overkill for most container projects.
How long does delivery take?
Most Front Range deliveries land within 3–7 business days of order. Long-haul out of state takes longer - we'll quote the timeline with the price.
Can I see the actual unit before buying?
Yes - the Aurora yard is open Mon–Fri for scheduled walk-throughs. Email us to set a time.
Want Numbers on a 20ft STD?
Drop your ZIP and we'll send pricing plus a delivered total anywhere in the Aurora delivery radius.