How big is a 5x5 storage unit in metres?

A 5x5 storage unit is 1.5 m × 1.5 m (2.25 m²). That's roughly the size of a large wardrobe or walk-in closet. Ceiling height is typically 2.4–2.7 m, giving you about 5.4–6 m³ of usable space.

How big is a 5x10 storage unit in metres?

A 5x10 storage unit is 1.5 m × 3 m (4.5 m²). It's roughly the size of a large bathroom or walk-in robe. With standard ceiling height you get about 10.8–12 m³ of usable volume.

What fits in a 5x5 storage unit?

A 5x5 unit fits about 10–15 standard moving boxes, a few small furniture items (bedside tables, chairs), sporting equipment, or seasonal items. It's ideal for decluttering a room or storing business documents.

What fits in a 5x10 storage unit?

A 5x10 unit fits the contents of a studio apartment or large bedroom — a single bed and mattress, a small sofa or desk, plus 20–30 boxes. Commonly used for one-room moves, seasonal furniture rotation, or small business inventory.

Is a 5x5 or 5x10 storage unit better value?

A 5x10 unit is typically better value per square metre — you get double the space for roughly 50–70% more cost. However, if your items genuinely fit in a 5x5, don't upsize just for the rate. The cheapest unit is the one that fits your stuff without wasting space.

Home › Storage Sizes › 5x5 vs 5x10

5x5 vs 5x10 Storage Unit — Which Do You Need?

A 5x5 gives you 2.25 m² (a large wardrobe). A 5x10 doubles that to 4.5 m² (a walk-in robe). Here's how to pick the right one without overpaying.

Updated 5 March 2026 • 6 min read

Dimensions at a Glance

5 × 5

1.5 m × 1.5 m

2.25 m²

~5.4 m³

usable volume

5 × 10

1.5 m × 3.0 m

4.5 m²

~10.8 m³

usable volume

Both sizes assume a standard ceiling height of 2.4 m. Some facilities offer taller units (up to 2.7 m), giving you an extra 10–15% volume. The "5x5" and "5x10" labels come from imperial feet — in Australia, providers list metric equivalents but the foot-based names stick.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Metric	5 × 5	5 × 10
Metric size	1.5 m × 1.5 m	1.5 m × 3.0 m
Floor area	2.25 m²	4.5 m²
Volume	~5.4 m³	~10.8 m³
StoragePrices bracket	Small (2–5 m²)	Small–Medium (borderline)
Moving boxes	10–15 boxes	20–30 boxes
Best for	Seasonal items, documents, sports gear	Studio apartment, bedroom move, small business stock
Typical price range	$80–$180/mo	$140–$280/mo
Think of it as	A large wardrobe	A walk-in robe

Rule of thumb: A 5×10 is double the floor space of a 5×5, but typically only costs 50–70% more. If you're on the fence, the larger unit is usually better value per square metre — but only if you'll actually use the space.

What Fits in a 5×5 Unit?

A 5×5 is the smallest practical storage unit (above a locker). It works well when you're storing a defined set of items rather than "a room full of stuff":

Seasonal gear — ski equipment, camping gear, Christmas decorations, winter clothes
Sporting equipment — surfboards, bikes, golf clubs (stacked vertically)
Business documents — archive boxes, filing cabinets (2–3 cabinets)
Small furniture — bedside tables, dining chairs, a single bookshelf
Hobby items — musical instruments, art supplies, wine collections

Not ideal for: mattresses (a single mattress can be forced in but takes up most of the floor), large appliances, or anything that requires walking around inside the unit.

What Fits in a 5×10 Unit?

A 5×10 doubles your floor space and opens up meaningfully different use cases:

Studio/bedsit move — single bed + mattress, small desk, 2-seater sofa, bedside table, plus 20+ boxes
Bedroom clearout — full bedroom furniture set (bed frame, mattress, dresser, wardrobe contents in boxes)
Small business inventory — e-commerce stock, market stall supplies, tools and equipment
Renovation staging — contents of one room while you renovate (kitchen appliances, lounge furniture)
Long-term travel — essential belongings for an extended trip, with room to organise and access items

Won't quite fit: a full one-bedroom apartment (you'll want a medium 5–10 m² unit for that) or large appliances like a fridge alongside furniture.

How to Choose Between Them

Choose a 5×5 if:

You can list everything you're storing — it's a defined collection, not "a room of stuff"
Nothing is larger than a bedside table or small bookshelf
You don't need to walk into the unit or access things at the back regularly
Budget is the priority and you're willing to pack tightly

Choose a 5×10 if:

You're storing any bed frame, mattress, desk, or sofa — even one large item needs the extra depth
You'll want to access things without unpacking half the unit
You're moving the contents of an entire room (not just individual items)
You're using storage for business and need to restock or pick items regularly

Packing tips for either size

Stack vertically. Both units have 2.4 m of ceiling height — use it. Heavier boxes on the bottom, lighter on top.
Disassemble furniture. Remove bed legs, take shelves out of bookcases. Flat items use far less floor space.
Use uniform boxes. Same-sized boxes stack efficiently. Mismatched sizes waste vertical space.
Leave a path (5×10 only). If you need regular access, leave a narrow corridor to the back. This uses some space but saves time and frustration.

What Do They Cost in Australia?

Prices vary significantly by city, provider, and whether the facility offers a first-month promotion. Here are typical ranges based on our price tracking data:

City	5×5 (~2.25 m²)	5×10 (~4.5 m²)
Sydney	$120–$200/mo	$180–$320/mo
Melbourne	$100–$180/mo	$160–$280/mo
Brisbane	$90–$160/mo	$140–$250/mo
Perth	$80–$150/mo	$130–$230/mo
Adelaide	$70–$140/mo	$120–$220/mo

These are indicative ranges. The actual price you'll pay depends on the specific facility, how close it is to the CBD, and current promotions. Outer suburban facilities can be 20–30% cheaper than inner-city locations for the same size unit.

For exact prices near you, compare prices by suburb — we check live rates from Kennards, National Storage, StorageKing, Fort Knox, StoreLocal, and more.

Common Questions

Are 5×5 and 5×10 the actual dimensions?

They're nominal sizes in feet (5 ft × 5 ft and 5 ft × 10 ft). The actual metric dimensions are approximately 1.5 m × 1.5 m and 1.5 m × 3 m. Some providers round slightly, so a "5×5" might be 1.52 m × 1.52 m. The difference is negligible.

Can I fit a mattress in a 5×5?

A single mattress (92 cm × 188 cm) can stand upright against the wall, but it will take up a significant portion of the floor space. A queen or double mattress won't fit flat. If a mattress is part of what you're storing, a 5×10 is the safer choice.

What's the ceiling height?

Most Australian storage facilities have ceilings between 2.4 m and 2.7 m. This matters more than you'd think — with good stacking, you effectively multiply your floor area. A well-packed 5×5 with 2.4 m ceilings holds nearly as much as a poorly packed 5×10.

Is it worth paying more for the 5×10?

If you're storing a single large item (bed, desk, sofa), yes — it simply won't fit in a 5×5. For boxes and small items only, do the maths: if the 5×10 is less than double the price of the 5×5, you're getting better value per square metre. But if your items fit comfortably in the smaller unit, don't pay for empty space.

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Last updated: March 2026. Prices are indicative ranges based on our tracking data and may vary by provider and location. Always confirm pricing directly with the facility.