Short answer: The most common sizes are 5×5, 5×10, 10×10, 10×15, 10×20 and 10×30 feet. A 5×5 holds boxes and small furniture. A 10×10 holds roughly a one-bedroom apartment. A 10×20 holds a two- to three-bedroom home or a car. A 10×30 holds a four- to five-bedroom home or larger vehicles.
Most storage units in the US use a standard set of sizes measured in feet, width by depth. Ceilings are usually around 8 feet, though this varies, so stacking matters as much as floor area. The guide below is what most operators use on their size charts. Every move is different, so these are estimates.
Standard sizes at a glance
| Size (ft) | Area | Roughly holds | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5×5 | 25 sq ft | Boxes, a small dresser, seasonal items | Closet overflow |
| 5×10 | 50 sq ft | A studio's furniture without appliances, mattress, boxes | Studio or dorm |
| 10×10 | 100 sq ft | A one-bedroom apartment | Moving, renovations |
| 10×15 | 150 sq ft | A two-bedroom apartment | Moving |
| 10×20 | 200 sq ft | A two- to three-bedroom home, or a car | Moving, business stock |
| 10×30 | 300 sq ft | A four- to five-bedroom home, or a vehicle plus belongings | Large moves, contractors |
Metric markets use square meters, commonly from about 1 m² lockers to 30 m² and up.
How to choose (for customers)
- Count your large items (sofa, bed, fridge, washer) and the number of boxes.
- Stand items on end. Mattresses and sofas take less floor space upright.
- Leave an aisle if you need to reach things during the rental.
- When unsure, go one size up. A unit that's too small means a second unit.
For operators: help customers pick the right size online
Wrong-size bookings lead to unhappy customers, transfers and extra admin. A few things help:
- A size guide on the booking page, with a photo of each unit with typical contents.
- A "what fits" description in plain words next to each size, as in the table above.
- Real dimensions, including door width and ceiling height. Door width decides whether a sofa fits.
- Allow easy transfers to another size, so a wrong guess doesn't lose you a customer.
Your unit mix matters too. If one size is constantly full and another constantly empty, that's a pricing signal (see how to price storage units) and, over time, a signal for how to divide space if you add or reconfigure units.
FAQ
What size storage unit do I need for a one-bedroom apartment?
Usually a 10×10. If you have few large items, a 5×15 or 10×10 will often be enough.
Can a car fit in a 10×20 storage unit?
Most standard cars fit in a 10×20. Check the door width and the facility's rules on vehicle storage.
How tall are storage units?
Many are about 8 feet high, but it varies by building. Ask the facility, because height affects how much you can stack.