10ft container: the compact format
At roughly 3 m long and 16 m³, the 10ft is the smallest common container: it fits where a 20ft cannot (small garden, yard, tight access) while still offering serious, secure storage volume. Here are the 2026 prices, exact dimensions and uses.
Key Features
- External dimensions (L×W×H)
- 2.99 × 2.44 × 2.59 m
- Internal dimensions (L×W×H)
- 2.83 × 2.35 × 2.39 m
- Door opening (W×H)
- 2.34 × 2.28 m
- Floor area
- ≈ 7.3 m²
Dimensions and specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| External dimensions (L×W×H) | 2.99 × 2.44 × 2.59 m |
| Internal dimensions (L×W×H) | 2.83 × 2.35 × 2.39 m |
| Door opening (W×H) | 2.34 × 2.28 m |
| Floor area | ≈ 7.3 m² |
| Usable volume | 16 m³ |
| Tare weight (empty) | 1,300 kg |
| Max payload | 9,700 kg |
| Construction | Corten steel, purpose-built 10' (not standard ISO marine) |
10ft container prices in 2026
The 10ft is a niche format: produced less than the 20ft, it trades at a higher price per m³. Used units are rarer, so new and one-trip dominate supply.
| Condition | Price excl. delivery | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| New (factory) | £3,150 – £3,990 | Living, kiosk, display, tidy garden |
| One-trip | £2,835 – £3,465 | Conversion, near-new look |
| Used grade A/B | £1,995 – £2,730 | Storage, workshop, garden |
Q1 2026 ranges. Excludes delivery (£263 – £735 by area) — usually placed by hiab given the light weight.
What is a 10ft used for?
- Small garden / tight access — fits where a 20ft cannot: yard, 3 m passage, town garden. The favourite for households short on space.
- Extra storage — tools, garden furniture, bikes, seasonal gear, locked and sheltered, without renting a box elsewhere.
- Tight site / city centre — secure tool storage on a minimal footprint, ideal in dense urban areas where space is scarce.
- Kiosk, sales point, changing room — a compact base to fit out (snack, ticket booth, event changing room), easy to deliver and move.
- Stock top-up — occasional extra space for a shop or tradesperson, scalable without committing to a large area.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a 10ft container cost?+
Budget £1,995 – £2,730 used (grade A/B) and up to £3,150 – £3,990 factory-new, with one-trip in between. Add delivery (£263 – £735 by area). The price per m³ is higher than a 20ft because the 10ft is a niche, lower-volume format.
Is the 10ft a real shipping container?+
Not strictly: very few 10ft actually travel on ships. Most are purpose-built or cut down from a larger unit. They keep the Corten steel structure, watertight doors and robustness of a container, but may not carry a valid CSC plate for sea transport.
How much space do I need for a 10ft?+
A flat spot of about 3.2 × 2.6 m is enough, plus lorry access. Thanks to its light weight (~1.3 t empty) it is easily placed by hiab, even in a small garden or yard.
Why does a 10ft cost almost as much as a 20ft?+
Because it is rare: makers produce few and the used market is limited. The build cost (cutting, reinforcement, doors) is nearly as high as for a 20ft while the volume is half. You choose it for the small footprint, not the price per m³.
Can a 10ft be fitted out as an office or garden shed?+
Yes, a common use: garden shed, small office, changing room, plant room. Add internal insulation for comfort. Beyond about 5 m² of footprint, local planning notice is usually required — check the rules.
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